Author Topic: I can't stop buying cannons (Read 1136 times)

Squire Robin · « **on:** July 16, 2006, 09:49:37 AM »

I saw it on ebay last week, stuck in a tentative £200 bid and forgot about it. Just got an email to say I've bought it for £109

It's suppposed to be a sea recovery, debarnacled and blackened. It's very possibly junk because nobody else really went for it. Now I have to arrange for it to be collected from Batley up North.

28" long, 2" bore. Any ideas what it is, or is supposed to be?

I must be missing some vital web bolt on because I can't seem to do smilies or post pictures so here's a link

http://www.robinhewitt.net/ebycannon.jpg

best regards

Squire Robin

intoodeep · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2006, 10:19:44 AM »

Squire Robin,

Good deal....

Hopefully, it won't have a ball stuck in it!

It's hard to tell by the photos but, I would guess that it may be a swivel gun due to the size. However, I've been wrong before. Please post some photos when you get it.

GGaskill · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2006, 10:40:35 AM »

Interesting attachment of the trunnions. Might be an identifying mark.

Squire Robin · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2006, 10:58:06 AM »

The trunnions seem to below the bottom of the bore like a carronade. I really must get my copy of Blackmore's Ordnance listing back from the new house, I'm halfway through moving and it's gone ahead.

Wonder if a magnet will stick to it -would have put a smiley here but they still don't work-

Squire Robin

GGaskill · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2006, 11:04:59 AM »

Could always use the teletype version. :-)

threepdr · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2006, 06:37:48 AM »

Robin,

Great find! Hard to tell from the pics, however the location of the trunninos at the bottom of the tube instead of slightly below center as on most UK guns is unusual. The rim bases on the trunnions indicate it was probably made during or after the third quarter of the 18th century. Any wieght or other markings on top of the tube?

Squire Robin · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2006, 10:02:45 AM »

> Any wieght or other markings on top of the tube?

I haven't got my sticky fingers on it yet, it's up in Batley, Yorkshire which is at the Scotland end of the country and I'm down on the south coast.

The seller is putting it on a board with carrying handles and it will weigh 63 pounds. I have to check with the carrier to see if they can include directions for the pick up, failing that I have a buddy in Wakefield who will grab it so I can arrange to collect from him. I'm hoping the carrier can pick it up directly so I get it next day.

best regards

Squire Robin

jeeper1 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2006, 10:20:06 AM »

Squire Robin, you titled this thread " I can't stop buying cannons".
You say that like it's a bad thing, it's not! It's actually a good thing.
If you don't believe me, just ask any one here.
Have a great day.

threepdr · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2006, 10:22:03 AM »

Batley...near Leeds right? I wish original tubes were as common over here! At 68 lbs,and the configuration of the trunnions, I suspect it was a swivel gun. Good luck with it!

Squire Robin · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2006, 10:53:00 AM »

Quote from: jeeper1 on July 17, 2006, 10:20:06 AM

Squire Robin, you titled this thread " I can't stop buying cannons". You say that like it's a bad thing, it's not! It's actually a good thing.

The seller asked me, "Why do you want it?" I was a bit taken aback and simply replied, "I collect cannons". I could almost hear myself dropping in to the 'wacko' category inside her head

I mentioned to my sister in law that another cannon was coming and she wailed, "Where are you going to keep it?" I explained it was a little one and I could keep it up against a wall in my den. She decided I could use it as a bookend and I didn't argue because book ends come in pairs so she can hardly object if I had to find another

Leeds is Yorkshire, don't exactly know where Batley is. I'm a confirmed southerner who believes the North begins at Watling Gap.

best regards

Squire Robin

GGaskill · « **Reply #10 on:** July 17, 2006, 11:22:09 AM »

Try this (Yahoo! Maps UK & Ireland)

Squire Robin · « **Reply #11 on:** July 17, 2006, 12:38:33 PM »

>Try this (Yahoo! Maps UK & Ireland)

Wow, when my poor little steam powered PC was still struggling to load that after 3 minutes I gave up

For the UK http://www.multimap.com I'm at BN25 4HN

Watford Gap isn't actually a place it's the the first big service stop when you head north out of London

best regards

Squire Robin

rusty barrels · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2006, 02:54:22 AM »

I'm with Jeeper1, I don't see a problem.

Squire Robin · « **Reply #13 on:** July 20, 2006, 03:51:33 AM »

Quote from: threepdr on July 17, 2006, 10:22:03 AM

I wish original tubes were as common over here!

Don't feel bad, turned out to be a junk Spanish garden ornament someone had used to sink a lobster pot

Ah well, keep trying

Squire Robin

intoodeep · « **Reply #14 on:** July 20, 2006, 04:04:19 AM »

Squire Robin,

That's too bad.

Maybe, it will look good in your garden. When you posted the weight I was starting to wonder as it seemed a be to light for that size cannon. We'll keep your eye out, there are always others to find.

Squire Robin · « **Reply #15 on:** July 20, 2006, 04:43:12 AM »

> Maybe, it will look good in your garden.

Brilliant

I have the builders in, maybe they could concrete it into a wall, that would look really neat, have to check with 'she who must be obeyed'

Squire Robin

GGaskill · « **Reply #16 on:** July 20, 2006, 10:21:25 AM »

Did you get a refund from the seller for it not being a real cannon?