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Author Topic: Coston Signal Co. Line Cannon  (Read 1618 times)

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Offline gene of oregon

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Coston Signal Co. Line Cannon
« on: September 10, 2010, 06:59:02 PM »
About 10 years ago i bought a Coston line cannon from an old timer for $85.  After getting it home an looking it over it had something stuck in the bore and after several attempts to pull what ever was in there, it ended up in the shed. Well yesturday with nothing to do, i loaded it into the truck and went to a friends machine shop and after four hours or so we pulled the object out. It turned out to be the 17lb. projectile without the screw-in rod. Here is a site that has three pretty much the same as what i have. (http://antiquesofthesea.com/cannons.html)  Is there anyone familar with this cannon??  I've done some reserch and know the company (Coston Signal Co. NY) manufactured flaires in the 1800's but little is said about their manufacturing of line cannons.  Also the condition of barrel is unpainted, light surface rust. Inside barrel has rust pitting mainally lower front half  probably from sea water. I probably should be adding pic's here maybe this weekend I'll get some up. I know with guns it's a no no to refinish them, but I think here it wouldn't devalue it or would it??  Not really sure what I'll do with it now, but I know after having it this many years I'v got to shoot it afew times. Not before reading up on how to SAFTLY fire it.  I.m sure it's alot different than my 155mm days in the army.  Any thing you guys have to say about it is appreciated.  Thanks, Gene    PS  The price on one in the link is that for real??? :)
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Offline GGaskill

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Re: Coston Signal Co. Line Cannon
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2010, 07:04:02 PM »
The price on one in the link is that for real???

Yes, originals carry a hefty price tag.  I would expect you could carefully remove the rust and oil it for protection without losing any value.  Refinishing is usually frowned on by serious collectors.
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Offline Double D

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Re: Coston Signal Co. Line Cannon
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2010, 07:07:55 PM »
Welcome to to Board Gene, where in Oregon.

There was projectile in the bore?  Was there a charge underneath?

I beleive we have a couple of collectors of these things who pass through here every now and then...Capt Ed I think collects these things.
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Offline gene of oregon

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Re: Coston Signal Co. Line Cannon
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2010, 07:57:47 PM »
No charge under projectile.  It did cross my mind tho. Filled fuse hole with lite oil. Even still we were wondering what was in that 10 1/2" space.  Live cannon ball?? Treasure Map?? The old timers gold and diamonds??  Har Har   Sounds like the treasure was the cannon it' self.   
   Gene
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Offline Cannoneer

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Re: Coston Signal Co. Line Cannon
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2010, 01:19:34 AM »
Welcome to the forum, Gene. That 85 dollars that you invested ten years ago has accrued some hefty interest. :)
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Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: Coston Signal Co. Line Cannon
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2010, 02:12:59 AM »
Gene -

Welcome to the board!

That sounds like a really FUN find!  Post some pix.  Then when it's cleaned up some pix of smoke and flame!

M109 155 SP is one of the two MOST fun guns I've fired, this will be a cool one too.
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