Nice lawn ornament {any ideas?}

[leesecw]

Anyone have ideas as to where this came from? It appears to be ornamental. No vent hole and a seam running all the way down the length of the barrel.  Heavy paint on the barrel. It sits on a slab of marble. Ive heard that some companies way back sold ornamental cannons for display. This particular cannon sits in front of an old beautiful Victorian mansion in Saginaw Michigan that was used as a home for the elderly. There were veterans housed here. As far as I know "The Home" as it was called was closed by the city of Saginaw due to budget worries. Due  to the mess the city is in maybe someone could offer the city an offer to buy it. Would look great in someones front yard. Due to the neighborhood its in its a wonder someone hasnt stolen it for scrap

[cannonmn]

Cast iron repros of that general ilk almost as a rule come from China.  They began popping up about 15 years ago and I'd get one call a week from someone who had spotted an "antique" cannon.

[leesecw]

From a few inquiries to local historians that cannon has been there since the 1940's. Any hints from back then? The marble base seems to have many weathered years to it

[cannonmn]

I assess antiques for people and I have to look for signs of age.  My guess is that the cast iron piece shown is a lot younger than 60 years.  Don't have time to go into all the stuff I look for but part of it is the color of the oxidation on the item, generally red rust means something relatively new.  If that item was as old as they think there would be a particular corrosion pattern on the top designs where rain water pooled in the dips; there isn't. 

Here's a possible scenario:   There was some kind of somewhat valuable cannon on the marble from 1940's thru 1990's.  Someone took it, replacing it with this repro so "disappearance" would not be noticed.  Many such things have happened.   

In any case, I don't think the cannon pictured has much age.  It has the fat, multiple rings that are the identifying characteristic of all the sizeable Chinese repros I've seen.  Those items used to wholesale for $200. ea. by quantities of 20 or more, came collapsed in cardboard boxes with assembly hardware.  If someone thinks that repro is older, that's fine, all I can do is give my own opinion.

[Cat Whisperer]

Can't add a thing as to where it came from -

But we see once a year or so someone gets killed firing 'blanks' with them and makes the national news.

[dan610324]

couldnt it be an local reproduction to replace something that been there before , the quality seems to be to good for me to bee a chinese ornament , to much decorations and way to thick walls .
chinese cannons are cheap crap , and they most often are of extremely low quality .
but ok maybe used to be better quality back in the 90s
at the color of the rust issue you are totaly right John

[Victor3]

Cast iron repros of that general ilk almost as a rule come from China. 

 He did say that "It appears to be ornamental." China's one of them ornamental countries, aint it?

 

[dan610324]

yeah sure is , and india is another

[cannonmn]

to much decorations and way to thick walls

The Chinese are highly skilled founders, having what, 3000 years plus experinece?  The fake cannons simulate thickness by using cores so they are cast so the walls are thin, but the muzzle and "bore" make it look otherwise.  They don't want the cannons to weigh too much either, it doesn't hurt wholesale shipment via container too much, but they'd eventually lose out since the within-US shipping would be too costly on the retail market.

If you want another clue as to whether this is an import, look down bore with a flashlight, if the thing is cast solid except for the bore in same diameter as at muzzle, I'd think it would be heavier than desirable for a Chinese import, would use up too much iron too, and Chinese have to pay for it so they don't want to use that much iron in such an  item when it adds nothing except weight and cost.

[Bob Smith]

I think Cannonmn's take on this one is very plausible; I would concur this has not sat outside for 60 years.

Bob Smith

[leesecw]

Thanks cannonman for the info. It apparently sat inside a carriage house. Ive lived here all my life and have never seen it until now. Would make a great yard ornament. Maybe thats why its sitting out front of the house hoping for a buyer. The city of saginaw is so far in the hole I wouldnt doubt they would sell it. The house its in front of  is a huge beautiful victorian. I wouldnt doubt they have lots of better stuff inside there.