BoomJ,
Did you notice the British property mark?
And are the weights French or British?
It most likely came off a prize ship and continued on in British service.
Allen,
According to the history given by the auction house, this gun was in all probability taken by the British as a prize from the French at the battle of Vigo Bay in 1702. French and allied Spanish ships were the targets of the British and Dutch in this battle. I don't know about the weight marks; the incised numbers look a little haphazard to me, so I'd guess these were put there by the British after the gun was captured.
"The Spanish treasure fleet was also obliterated save for a handful of vessels which fell to the Anglo-Dutch forces. Unfortunately most of the cargo had been safely disembarked and moved inshore by the Spanish, resulting in a disappointing haul for the Allies. By 24th October the operation was over however, it is probable that this bronze cannon was taken soon after the battle, as Rooke wrote in his journal (the date given was from the old calendar prior to the Calendar Act of 1752):- At break of day this morning (13th. Oct. ) I went up to Ronondella's and gave the necessary orders for securing the ships of war prizes that were afloat - and for getting off those that lay on shore without any hopes of their being saved, to get out the brass guns of those that were lost.. Shortly afterwards Admiral Shovell's squadron arrived to undertake the final destruction of the fortifications and the surviving hulks of the captured Spanish Fleet.
HMS Association: The ordnance arrow chiselled into the breach of the cannon suggests that when captured, probably at Vigo Bay, the gun was found to be in serviceable condition. Therefore it is likely to have been immediately incorporated into the armament of the Royal Navy, presumably making its way onto the 90-gun Association which was later to become Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell's flagship."Dan,
While I'm certainly no collector, I agree with you about the price paid for this gun; if the provenance given by this auction house is valid, then that coupled with the era of manufacture of this fine French naval piece would seem to more than justify its cost.
