BlackPowderKeg
32 Cal
consider getting this canon but not sure if it's something original or made up item, all opinions welcome
do you recognize this cannon?
- Thread starter BlackPowderKeg
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Looks to me like someone had a likening for cannons and used their skill and imagination in making this cannon.
But the cannon displays a very rough life, it sure could use a good new home, Good Luck
But the cannon displays a very rough life, it sure could use a good new home, Good Luck
Looks similar to a 6-pound Naval gun, but honestly never saw one without the carriage.
HEX NUTS SAY NOT OLD.
LECook
36 Cl.
I'd say you found a good size toy cannon. The side pieces are cast iron as were the broken wheels. You could probably find a pair of wheels that would match the style of the carriage.
With the press fit or possibly cast on trunnion band, the barrel could be steel rather than cast iron. Otherwise it would have been cast as a whole, trunnions and all.
It probably dates to the latter part of 19th century. Hex nuts and bolts have been around since the early 19th century so that puts it made sometime in the last 200 years.
Nice find. What is the bore diameter?
With the press fit or possibly cast on trunnion band, the barrel could be steel rather than cast iron. Otherwise it would have been cast as a whole, trunnions and all.
It probably dates to the latter part of 19th century. Hex nuts and bolts have been around since the early 19th century so that puts it made sometime in the last 200 years.
Nice find. What is the bore diameter?
BlackPowderKeg
32 Cal
got it home, used wire brush, here's what I found out
LECook
36 Cl.
Very Cool !!
Now to decide on how far to take the restoration. Do you want it to look it’s age or as new. Personally I like antiques, especially iron, to look aged.
Enjoy your project.
Now to decide on how far to take the restoration. Do you want it to look it’s age or as new. Personally I like antiques, especially iron, to look aged.
Enjoy your project.
BlackPowderKeg
32 Cal
well at this point i'm trying to understand what it is and collect data, any idea folks?
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I agree with Rich44; It is quite old, but not a true actual military issue anything. I'd buy it if I were you, but you might find it's best as a decorative item. The heavy pitting would be removed with sand blasting but any paint applied would show the pits. It's neat!
I'd disagree on the description "toy", but the rest I do agree with. I'd suggest the term "replica" because I think that it was made for a memorial display or decorative display. It likely went atop a stone or concrete pedestal, perhaps private. The stuff that one sees is normally bronze, and gets that odd gray/green color of bronze, so I'm guessing either a small community park, or a private park, OR...perhaps..., it was one of two, each set on a pedestal on either side of a gate on private property. The new owners may have changed over to lions or some sort of finial after removing the canon, not wanting a martial theme to the entrance to their property. IF it was a small community public item, there has been a recent wave of elimination when it comes to Confederate markers of any kind other than actual graves, so perhaps it was removed for that reason, or even merely damaged having been on a rather low platform and a person came along with a car and alcohol was involved (note how one of the remaining wheel-spoke-stubs is bent), and the owner(s) simply sold it for scrap.
LD
Jerry4History
32 Cal
July 4, 1895? Either made for some 4th of July festival by a citizen, or it was one of the first things dumped when Teddy Roosevelt upgraded to the Great White Fleet!
LECook
36 Cl.
Perhaps “Salute” cannon would be a better description considering the July 4 date.
Lynn
Lynn
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I believe this is a "Lyle Gun". It was used by lifesaving crews to fire ropes to stranded vessels.
https://www.capeblancoheritagesociety.com/lyle_gun.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyle_gun
https://www.capeblancoheritagesociety.com/lyle_gun.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyle_gun
Looks like the remains of a GAR gun. Well worth restoring. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Army_of_the_Republic
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I still say Lyle gun. The band around the barrel is very similar to others.
Take a look:
https://www.google.com/search?sca_e...kFHTgZDToQtKgLegQIDxAB&biw=1483&bih=796&dpr=2
Take a look:
https://www.google.com/search?sca_e...kFHTgZDToQtKgLegQIDxAB&biw=1483&bih=796&dpr=2
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I can't make out the lettering.
G. U. Mc. CAU ?
LYNN
MASS.
?
G. U. Mc. CAU ?
LYNN
MASS.
?
There were a number of companies making line guns, so this very well could be a line throwing guns.
Lyle guns were mostly bronze guns, I think there were some Iron Lyle's. Causton made Iron line guns, as did others.
Google line throwing cannons, and look in images. The profile of the line gun barrel is heavy bulky straight, not long thin. Large bore. This Carriage is also very different from line guns. This has the lines of a wheeled field carriage. Carriage doesn't sit flat and trunnions are at front over the axle. Line throwing guns were flat bottom cast iron or bronze garrison style carraiges. Most Trunnion center and more rearward. This gun appeared to have had spoked weels at one time.
Lynn MA was a big foundry area at one time. The Saugus Iron works is in the area.
While I still think this is GAR celebratory blank gun on a period style wheeled field carriage, it could indeed be a Line throwing gun on a period style wheeled field carriage.
If the name can be made clearer, that is the best clue.
Lyle guns were mostly bronze guns, I think there were some Iron Lyle's. Causton made Iron line guns, as did others.
Google line throwing cannons, and look in images. The profile of the line gun barrel is heavy bulky straight, not long thin. Large bore. This Carriage is also very different from line guns. This has the lines of a wheeled field carriage. Carriage doesn't sit flat and trunnions are at front over the axle. Line throwing guns were flat bottom cast iron or bronze garrison style carraiges. Most Trunnion center and more rearward. This gun appeared to have had spoked weels at one time.
Lynn MA was a big foundry area at one time. The Saugus Iron works is in the area.
While I still think this is GAR celebratory blank gun on a period style wheeled field carriage, it could indeed be a Line throwing gun on a period style wheeled field carriage.
If the name can be made clearer, that is the best clue.
Looks like
C. F. McCau (McCaul, maybe? L hidden by the nut?)
Lynn, Mass
July 4, 1895
C. F. McCau (McCaul, maybe? L hidden by the nut?)
Lynn, Mass
July 4, 1895
It also could have been cast with curved spokes. Could have been a couple of flat belt pulleys, too
