Thanks GG., that helps.
in some ways this reminds me more
of the half hull display models for sailing ships, than a match plate.
Thanks Allen, I guess if there were only one of these halves, it could be a cannon half-model, but since there are two...?
I always envied anyone who had ever set foot in Bannerman's, all the stories I've heard-yours is the first about the L.I. annex. Most are about 501 Broadway, NYC. An old fellow around here used to get in a car loaded with several buddies on a Saturday and drive to NYC after payday. They'd fill the car with shot, shells, bayonets, whatever they could afford then slowly chug home with the bumper nearly dragging on the road. And I think there may have been some alcohol involved in those adventures as well. The friend was a fireman and consumed more intoxicant daily than I thoght anyone could withstand. His pride and joy collectible didn't come from Bannerman, it came from right here in DC, a huge 12-inch Blakely shell or bolt, with very deep engraving in the nose area regarding its capture alongside the blown-up gun it was made for, in Charleston, SC. That was the one thing Jack woundn't sell when he moved out of the DC area about 20 years ago. He had found it in the entryway of an office building in DC-used as a display. I think it was one small piece of many tons of relics the Navy scrapped in 1959 when their plan to build a new museum building fell through due to lack of funds. Other neat items I've seen from that scrapping included a 10" bronze Spanish mortar with capture inscription (traded to Castillo de St. Marcos by a friend of mine,) its mate with identical capture inscription , a 6" mortar now in a private collection, and a light Dahlgren boat howitzer complete with carriage, dated 1861. This last piece was purchased direct from the scrap dealer by a local accountant, who kept it till he died in about 1990. I knew about it and tried to get it but "Elmo" was quicker, and got it. I knew him and often mentioned I'd like to have it someday. He died about 2004, the family called me and I said I'd like to buy it, then somehow a local attorney/collector got in there, so now it is in his collection. Dang! How unlucky can I be to miss the same piece twice! Well you win some and you lose some, and since I've won more than a few times, I can't get too upset about the losses, that's just the way it goes!