Author Topic: Questionable attributions of cannons soon to be auctioned  (Read 768 times)

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Offline cannonmn

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Questionable attributions of cannons soon to be auctioned
« on: May 14, 2013, 02:07:03 AM »
Attributions of the first two sound like pure poppycock.  I have no doubt they were both in the US Cartridge Co. collection since they apparently appear in the old catalog, but I'm fairly certain that is the full extent of their historical connection.
 
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20973/61168/#q1_1=cannon&m1=1&b1=listf
 
If anyone is thinking of bidding on no. 3264, the Hotchkiss 2-pounder B/L, make absolutely sure you know what the actual date of manufacture of the gun is, since most of the American Ordnance guns are post-1898 and thus are Destructive Devices per BATFE, and must be registered in order to be owned or transferred.  The auction catalog is silent regarding the date of this piece.  Last time I checked, there was no exemption in place for post-1898 Hotchkiss 2-pounders, even though the same model made in 1898 or prior is officially a non-firearm.

The auction estimate is way high for a 2-pounder with  pitting both inside and outside the barrel, IMHO.

Offline Double D

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Re: Questionable attributions of cannons soon to be auctioned
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2013, 03:02:27 AM »
Bonhams has it coded in their auction description as a pre 1898.  What did they say when you asked them about  it John?

Offline steelcharge

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Re: Questionable attributions of cannons soon to be auctioned
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2013, 03:27:43 AM »
The 1.75" bore swivel gunade is really nice looking, but certainly wasn't used in any british ship during the Revolutionary War.
I also like the tiny, very english-looking, 15" long iron signal gun, although it needs a better carriage.

Offline cannonmn

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Re: Questionable attributions of cannons soon to be auctioned
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2013, 02:03:57 PM »
Quote
Bonhams has it coded in their auction description as a pre 1898.  What did they say when you asked them about  it John?

I'd  certainly ask if I were interested in bidding, but that not being the case...

Offline KABAR2

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Re: Questionable attributions of cannons soon to be auctioned
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2013, 02:35:20 PM »
I find MANY auction houses don't know what they are selling or go with the customer told them it was..... Sometimes bad information is continued in print.... just because an item was in a known collection and it is I'D as such and such doesn't make it so.... on another forum there is a fellow looking for info on a blunderbuss it has a "V" notch cut out in the forearm exposing the ramrod  he thinks it's a wall peice and that is where the attachment for the swivel was removed I explained to him it is a blunderbuss nothing more not a wall peice or wall gun used on a ship.... he bought it off the net and wants it to be something it isn't....
Mr president I do not cling to either my gun or my Bible.... my gun is holstered on my side so I may carry my Bible and quote from it!

Sed tamen sal petrae LURO VOPO CAN UTRIET sulphuris; et sic facies tonituum et coruscationem si scias artficium