Author Topic: ONE OUTSTANDING ANTIQUE BRONZE YACHT CANNON (Read 4886 times)

Cpt Ed · « **on:** October 05, 2009, 01:35:20 PM »

A style, I have not seen before. Quite unusual.

Marked J. H. Snelling, 158 South Street, New York.

With a 2 1/4 Inch Bore. 36" smoothbore bronze barrel with touch hole and integral trunnions; 4 1/4" diameter at muzzle; 6 5/16" diameter at breech. Mahogany naval carriage with bronze mountings and elevation screw. 8" diameter iron-rimmed mahogany wheels on 2 1/4" diameter bronze axle caps. 18" overall height, measured with barrel horizontal. Maker's name on bronze cap squares. Weight: approx 300 lbs. In Very fine condition and with a soft patina to the bronze.

cannonmn · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2009, 01:45:17 PM »

Looks like "J.H. Snelling, 158 South St., NY."

It certainly certainly appears to be all old and all original.

Double D · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2009, 01:48:46 PM »

Cpt Ed, you have been conspicious by your absence...is this a new addition to your collection?

RocklockI · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2009, 01:49:47 PM »

thats a nice cannon .....good proportions .

cannonmn · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2009, 02:17:41 PM »

John H. Snelling was president and director of the Marine Manufacturing and Supply Co. in NYC, per this 1915 "Directory of directors."

http://books.google.com/books?id=x2jZAAAAMAAJ&lpg=PA646&ots=f8cLwILEkS&dq=j.h.%20snelling%20south%20st.%20n.y.&pg=PA646#v=onepage&q=j.h.%20snelling%20south%20st.%20n.y.&f=false

carronader · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2009, 09:27:25 PM »

Bronze in all it's beauty.Should be a criminal offence to polish barrels.Is it not enough to know that under that skin is pure sunshine? Gives this very plain barrel a certain elegance and style........and adds to it's value. BAN THE BRASSO !

Victor3 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2009, 10:36:20 PM »

Quote from: carronader on October 05, 2009, 09:27:25 PM

Bronze in all it's beauty.Should be a criminal offence to polish barrels.Is it not enough to know that under that skin is pure sunshine? Gives this very plain barrel a certain elegance and style........and adds to it's value. BAN THE BRASSO !

Luke 8:16 (New International Version)

"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light."

The Lord has spoken...

cannonmn · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2009, 02:01:49 AM »

Polishing bronze will make you go blind. Mother has spoken.

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2009, 04:26:47 AM »

Like they say on Antiques Roadshow: Patina, Patina, Patina!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cpt Ed · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2009, 12:44:00 PM »

DD:
Thanks it is nice to know that I have been missed.

No unfortunately, this cannon is not in my collection.

It was through the kindness of one of our members that I was provided the Internet link to the cannon, which is for sale in Montana.

I would dearly love to add it to my collection but am not willing to mortgage my home to purchase it.

Cpt. Ed.

Double D · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2009, 01:28:42 PM »

Montana!?

Well now, being the nice guy that I am, when you buy it, I'll go pick it up and store it for you, until you get a chance to come and get it...send some shells?

thelionspaw · « **Reply #11 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:16:37 PM »

1851
Marine Mfg. & Supply Co.
Hardware manufacturers
158 South Street NYC NY

RocklockI · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:18:56 PM »

i'd like one , is that addy still good ?

do they have a website .....?

thelionspaw · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:23:44 PM »

1851
Marine Mfg. & Supply Co.
Hardware manufacturers
158 South Street NYC NY

Double D · « **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:27:23 PM »

Hallowell is a bit pricey, but I heard they do negotiate....

intoodeep · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:27:56 PM »

Quote from: RocklockI on October 06, 2009, 03:18:56 PM

i'd like one , is that addy still good ? do they have a website .....?

The one above can be had for a Mere $39.7K....

Double D · « **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:31:01 PM »

Cpt Ed,

I know my kid would buy that for me if I wanted it, would yours?

intoodeep · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:37:41 PM »

Quote from: Double D on October 06, 2009, 03:31:01 PM

Cpt Ed,

I know my kid would buy that for me if I wanted it, would yours?

Ouch......

Double D · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2009, 03:58:46 PM »

Quote from: intoodeep on October 06, 2009, 03:37:41 PM

Quote from: Double D on October 06, 2009, 03:31:01 PM
Cpt Ed,

I know my kid would buy that for me if I wanted it, would yours?

Ouch......

ROFLMAO!!!!

Cannoneer · « **Reply #19 on:** October 07, 2009, 11:16:45 AM »

Cpt Ed,

Do you still have the large signal gun that you were thinking about having converted to fire a smaller gauge shell? That was quite some time ago, so I may be way off on this, but wasn't it a Brown 3-bore. Whatever the case, I do remember that it was a beauty.

Cpt Ed · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2009, 07:56:27 AM »

Quote from: Boom J on October 07, 2009, 11:16:45 AM

Cpt Ed,

Do you still have the large signal gun that you were thinking about having converted to fire a smaller gauge shell? That was quite some time ago, so I may be way off on this, but wasn't it a Brown 3-bore. Whatever the case, I do remember that it was a beauty.

You Sir have an excellent memory. It is a Brown 4-bore. I was looking at that time for a 10ga or 8ga, but was lucky enough to have found the 4ga.
I was considering having a reducer made to accomodate a 10ga shell, but was able to locate a supplier on the West coast that provided me with 4ga brass shells. I reload my own using 209 primers and 500 grains of 1fg black powder.

The barrel length is 18" overall, height to top of trunnions is 10" and wheel diameter is 3.5". Total weight is around 50 pounds.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #21 on:** October 08, 2009, 08:08:20 PM »

Yes, that's the one, Cpt Ed. Thanks for posting the photos of it firing. Someday, if good fortune smiles upon me, I will have something similar.

guardsgunner · « **Reply #22 on:** October 09, 2009, 12:44:57 AM »

I wonder if it is the marine co that built highly detailed cannon models in the 1970's. They turn up on EBAY all the time.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #23 on:** August 02, 2011, 05:23:29 AM »

Did anyone else see the "Strong" signal/salute gun segment on 'Pawn Stars' last night? I didn't hear anybody on the program say what the bore size was, but it looked to be bigger than a 3-bore, and the owner claimed that it was the yacht cannon that was used on the old TV series "Magnum PI." The prices that were bandied about for this item staggered me.

zoiezeus · « **Reply #24 on:** August 02, 2011, 06:51:11 AM »

I saw the show too it was a nice gun. It looked like it shot brass shells with a centerfire pin is that standard for that kind of gun?

rmagill · « **Reply #25 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:27:58 AM »

I've seen three different shows where the same guy appraised cannon and they all seemed optimistically priced to me. I'd love to have the one last night, but at 40,000 or whatever it was it aint never going to happen.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #26 on:** August 02, 2011, 12:32:08 PM »

Quote from: zoiezeus on August 02, 2011, 06:51:11 AM

I saw the show too it was a nice gun. It looked like it shot brass shells with a centerfire pin is that standard for that kind of gun?

Yes, these guns fire black powder loaded shells with a primer.
Rick the "Old Man's" son offered the guy $12,000, and the guy said that the offer was full of stuff.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #27 on:** August 02, 2011, 06:17:34 PM »

I'm not familiar with Squires' salute guns, but now that you mention it, the "expert" (Sean Rich of Tortuga Trading Inc.) that they called in to evaluate the cannon on 'Pawn Stars', said that it was a Strong Fire Arms Co. breech mechanism (they showed the stamped logo) fitted to a different barrel.

michaelfreeland · « **Reply #28 on:** August 05, 2011, 08:40:15 AM »

It's amazing what the appraised prices are on "Pawn Stars" !
I gotta get an insurance appraisal from these guys for my homeowners policy...

Cannoneer · « **Reply #29 on:** August 08, 2011, 09:03:37 PM »

I watched this episode segment again, and need to correct some things. Rick offered the guy 12K first, but then upped it to 15 grand, and the guy didn't say that he was full of stuff; he called him a dumbass for offering such a measly sum. Sean the 'expert' said that the barrel was originally a muzzleloader that had been modified, so the Strong breech mechanism could be installed on it. I got a decent look at the shell they fired, and it looked bigger than a 3-bore.