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Author Topic: Some Dudes Have All The Luck!!  (Read 878 times)

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Offline Smoothbore

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Some Dudes Have All The Luck!!
« on: April 05, 2005, 01:01:38 AM »
Did any of you catch Antiques Roadshow on educational TV last night?  I only caught the last half or so of the segment so my facts may not all be exact.

This fella (I believe he was from California) was digging in his back yard and found a big cylindrical object.  As he was cleaning it up he was washing out the opening with a hose when water started coming out a little hole at the opposite end--he said that was when he realized it was a cannon.

The appraiser found lots of markings on it (it was a mountain howitzer) such as the date (1853- I believe he said), the weight, who made it, the initials of who tested it and the US stamp of acceptance.

Its' green patena was almost unbelievable.  The owner said he, at one time, thought of selling it for scrap brass, to which the appraiser informed him that it was bronze.  When asked the canned question about value, he said he had seen a reproduction once, priced at $10K (which more than likely was the whole setup--carriage and all).  Anyway, the appraiser gave him a range of (if I remember correctly) $30 to 40K.

I felt like grabbing a shovel and heading for my back yard!
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Offline Will Bison

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« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2005, 05:25:01 AM »
No doubt the famous Fremont Cannon that was lost in the Sierra Mountains.

"It was of the kind invented by the French for the mountain part of their war in Algiers; and the distance it had come with us proved how well it was adapted for its purpose. We left it, to the great sorrow of the whole party, who were grieved to part with a companion which had made the whole distance from St. Louis, and commanded respect for us on some critical occasions, and which might be needed for the same purpose again." Brevet Captain John C. Frémont, West Walker River, January 29, 1844.
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Offline intoodeep

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« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2005, 09:28:48 AM »
Unfortunately, I did not see the show. However, I have heard that the barrel on the show was dated 1853. So, I do not believe that this cannon is the John C. Fremont cannon as the story goes it was supposedly left behind in 1844.

 So, it may still be out there. Happy Hunting...... :grin:

P.S.- Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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If you make it idiot proof, then, someone will make a better idiot.

Offline Double D

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Some Dudes Have All The Luck!!
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2005, 11:40:33 AM »
This isn't another of the Antiques Roadshows famous set-ups is it. like the sword deal a couple of years ago.

I find it hard to believe that abronze cannon buried in the ground for years would still have readable marks on it.  Would it?  

Furthermore for it to have that kind of value it would need to be able to be traced to some specific event or activities.  For the estimated value you could probably find a complete original gun.   At least that's my opinion which isn't worth much by itself.
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Offline guardsgunner

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Some Dudes Have All The Luck!!
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2005, 03:29:16 PM »
The bronze would be alright. should clean up pretty good. I think you are right about the value.I dont think that it would be worth over 1/2 the stated value with a carriage.
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Offline mtnman37879

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Some Dudes Have All The Luck!!
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2005, 05:21:44 PM »
A pre Civil War tube like that will bring 30K with no problem. Watch the ads in "the Artilleryman" Magazine.
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Offline Cpt Ed

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Mountain Howitzer Barrel
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2005, 03:23:08 PM »
This fine Mountain Howitzer Barrel  was shown again tonight on the PBS AntiqueÂ’s Roadshow Reno Nevada segment #2 of #3. The stats if you are keeping records are as follows:

Foundry rimbase #464, made by C.A.& Co. Boston 1853, “US” stamped on the top, weight 224 lbs., marked on the muzzle face #87 and the inspectors initials L. A. B. W.

They valued it at from $35K to $40K. This is a correct valuation in todayÂ’s market.
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Always think safety...be a More Complete Cannoneer.

"I HATE SMALL TOWNS BECAUSE ONCE YOU'VE SEEN THE CANNON IN THE PARK, THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO DO."

Offline GGaskill

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Some Dudes Have All The Luck!!
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2005, 06:55:10 PM »
Regarding the Fremont cannon, I don't know if the statements on http://www.jour.unr.edu/zephyr/fall_02_pages/gammon_cannon-history.html" target="_blank">this web page are true or not but according to it, the cannon is in the Nevada State Museum. http://www.longcamp.com/pray.html" target="_blank">Here is another account.
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“If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart; if you're not a conservative at 40, you have no brain.”--Winston Churchill

Offline Cpt Ed

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Mountain Howitzer Barrel
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2005, 02:19:06 AM »
Gentlemen, here is the true story, a reply I just received from the keeper of the Civil War Cannon information.

“I had this one reported to me in April 2003. The owner supposedly found it in a creek bed on his property outside Reno NV. It has been for sale for the last few months”.
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Always think safety...be a More Complete Cannoneer.

"I HATE SMALL TOWNS BECAUSE ONCE YOU'VE SEEN THE CANNON IN THE PARK, THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO DO."

Offline Will Bison

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Some Dudes Have All The Luck!!
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2005, 04:47:35 PM »
I was kidding about the Fremont Gun. But found in a creek outside Reno is very interesting.

Now I'm curious about the one in Carson City. I'll have to go down this week and take a look at it.

Bill
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