GAR "Parade Cannon" on Pawn Stars

[gunsonwheels]

I was watching Pawn Stars last night and a fellow had a GAR "Parade Cannon" he was trying to sell to the guys.  Any one catch the episode and more to the point does anyone know any info about that gun.  They didn't know and because it had an emblem on it with the year 1903 there was mass confusion if it was pre-1899 or not.  "Sean" their gun guy said in spite of the emblem it could be a pre-1899 design and manufacture.  It was a breech load and appeared to have re-usable charge shells to give reports.  Looked like a Wiard style barrel configuration and a somewhat "dainty" carriage... with a limber...
 
Anyone know of such "Parade Cannons"... ? ? ?
 
GOW

[intoodeep]

GOW,

 This is what I know.... That cannon was on ebay 2-3 years ago. It was being sold by Fort Mifflin in PA. A collector in PA was able to snatch it up early in the auction. This same collector was on Pawn Stars before with the "Magnum PI" signal cannon.

 As, for GAR cannons. Yes, they did exist. There was no common type as they varied in size and style. Pretty much whatever they could afford. Some of these were breechloaders and some were Muzzleloaders.

 Now, the exact date of Mfg. is tough as most of these signal cannons did not have markings to pin point a year.

 

[Double D]

We have a very old post with a copy of a letter from ATF defining signal guns as not a destructive device, firearm or any other weapon.

Here is a link to the original discussion. Legality of building 12 guage signal cannon from ATF?

Here are the links to the letter. ATF letter pg 1, ATF letter pg 2 and ATF letter pg 3

Thkis GAR gun is nothing more than signal gun. The date it was made is irrelevant.

[Rayfan87]

Could the issue with it be Nevada law? Maybe in the state pawnbrokers van only deal with older ones without extra licensing regardless if the design date.

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

Could the issue with it be Nevada law? Maybe in the state pawnbrokers van only deal with older ones without extra licensing regardless if the design date.

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

What happened to my post?
 
Anyway, I was trying to comment on the fact that the Parade Cannon on Pawn Stars was not "sold" because it either was not for sale or they did not want to give an adequate amount for it.

[Artilleryman]

I think that they periodically put things on the show that the owner has no intention of selling but is interesting enough to use as a tease to get people to watch the show.

[Double D]

Rick the Pawn broker clearly stated the issue was with ATF and he could not not purchase any firearm that was made before 1899.

Norm   I think you are only partially right...some items are indeed teases, but I think some of this other stuff is to promote the value of items that are going to be in  future auctions...

[Rayfan87]

After 1899. My guess is that they simply dont have an FFL. Even though the rule is designed before 1899, by only buying things made pre 1899, they are guaranteed to be in compliance

[ranger56528]

Didn't the emblem have a date of 1903 or right around there but the cannon itself was pre 1899 so that is were the issue was(the Emblem).If the owner could of proved it was pre 1899 it wouldn't of been a issue or if it had no emblem then no issue at all.
I saw a write up on how some of the items are collector owned and just brought in for the show..

[Double D]

Gentlemen, you are missing the point.  It's a signal gun and is not an NFA or GCA controlled item.  It doesn't matter  when it was made. An FFL is not required to deal  with it.   Or in our case, make it!!!

[buzz36]

This show doese lok for oddities or unique items to be shown not all for sold or even for sale even if they make a deal on the TV show it doesnt mean the item  was sold
I had been contacted to bring few itmes down by one of there scouts but i pasted as they were not going to pay for my travel there Im not that keen to be on TV either
I do like the show and  yes they do have interest in  every item they show
not to change the subject but the show  "American pickers" is another one worth while to watch in you like "pawn stars"

[Rayfan87]

Nobody is arguing that. We are just speculating as to their reason. We know signal cannons are exempt. The shop knows that for regular guns 1899to I'd the cutoff, so they made a rule 'if it goes boom it has to be pre-1899' its just a cover your ass thing. Rather than trying to say whether or not its a signal cannon, just make the requirement it has to be made before 1899.

[Double D]

Nobody is arguing that. We are just speculating as to their reason. We know signal cannons are exempt. The shop knows that for regular guns 1899to I'd the cutoff, so they made a rule 'if it goes boom it has to be pre-1899' its just a cover your ass thing. Rather than trying to say whether or not its a signal cannon, just make the requirement it has to be made before 1899.

They made it very clear  for them it was an FFL issue.    They had no clue about the signal gun exemption.    There was no doubt is was a signal gun also by its breeching.  They never ever brought up the signal gun issue.

I was surprised Sean didn't know this one.

FWIW, I think they did the right thing...they didn't know how it might be covered so they passed on buying.

[gunsonwheels]

DD... et.al.
 
Thanks for the various inputs.  I too was a little surprised at how clueless they all were willing to admit to as they used the "pre-1899" thing as the official excuse to not buy the piece.
 
I guess the answer to my question is there were several differing styles and dates of manufacture of such pieces and nothing about these them was "standard".  Not too suprising... look what we board members come up with...