Author Topic: Can you identify this cannon? (Read 950 times)

DEANO · « **on:** January 08, 2005, 07:11:54 AM »

I have a cannon that has been in the family for 30+ years. All I know about it is that it had the wheels added onto it, and that it came from off of a ship. One of the wheels is broken, and the wood appears really dried out. It appears to be made of cast iron and is approximately 30 inches long with a 2.5" or better bore. Can anybody give me any information on this cannon?(history of this particular style, etc. what they were used for) Can anybody identify if this cannon is original or a reproduction? What would something like this be worth? I have included a link to pictures. :shock: Thanks, in advance Dean

http://www.msnusers.com/jakedean

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2005, 12:39:58 PM »

I don't have a clue as to what it is, but I want to hear it's voice.

CAV Trooper · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2005, 12:58:32 PM »

Maybe a signal gun or possibly a line thrower like the Lyle guns were?

Lee1966 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2005, 02:14:37 PM »

Only if it could talk.

Double D · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2005, 06:34:44 AM »

That's a pretty interesting gun. My guess is that it's an old Yacht signaling gun.

That wheel should be pretty straight forward to fix. Clean it up real nice refinish the metal and wood.

You might contact someone like Paulsen Bros or South Bend Replica's about restoration or identification. They could even advise about shooting.

You will find a link to their websites in the Cannon resource list at the top of the board.

Will Bison · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2005, 08:15:46 AM »

Send some photos to Paul at South Bend Ordnance, he's sort of the DeFacto expert on Lyle guns. Generally the Lyle guns had a much simpler carriage but the large trunnion ring has a Lyle look about it.

As DD has noted it may be an old Yacht gun. Are there any marks or identification on it?

DEANO · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2005, 01:40:33 PM »

There are no markings at all on it. It looks like it was painted black some time back, and it is rusting in alot of areas where the black has rubbed off. It has some real deep pitting around the fuze well that looks as if it has been fired. Correction on previous bore size, it looks more like 2". It has a seam running along both sides, one is more visible than the other. This looks like where it was cast. I will try to contact Paul and send him some photos and get his advice on what this thing is. Thanks for the responses. Dean

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2005, 02:33:28 PM »

It may be a one-of-a-kind. With the band around it (if it's a separate piece) it looks like a home-build. Still could be quite old, but anything that was going into production would likely (not always of course) be cast. With a cast barrel a large cannon shop would have the larger lathe to turn the trunion, a smaller shop might resort to heating the band and shrink fitting it to the bore. If it was a signal cannon, it would be for a rather large ship, most of the yacht cannon I've seen had more like a 1" bore or were 10ga.