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A quality ship's figurehead carving, time has claimed this work's formal identity. We strongly feel that such a unique carving was made to decorate a specific ship, named after the man who inspired the carver. Possibly a posthumous tribute to a company's founder, a business owner, or a noted captain? Well carved, this work emboldened the bow of an coast-wise vessel, looking forward at the progress of its ship.

Our speculation over his nationality is far from conclusive. The blue collar is telling of a nautical affiliation, if he is French or Italian, as we suspect. Could he be a well-dressed British man, or even, as a colleague supposed, a bare-knuckle boxer dressed up to celebrate a recent victory? Tobacco business lord from Scotland? His moustache is nearly universal late 19th Century.

Whoever he is, and whomever carved this figurehead, it is a fine representation of man's head and upper shoulders, and would have held its position on a ship bow proudly. Today, it sits on a sleek and well-built pillar to display in a collection.

An extremely rare Unites States Navy One-Pound Turret Cannon, this is a naval artifact of a type almost never available. The gun is marked “Driggs Ord. Co. Inc. N.Y. CITY 1 PDR MOUNT MARK II NO 5 1897. Wt.235Lbs.” The brass yoke collar is marked “FOR 1 PDR GUN ORD. DEPT W, NY 1898.” The weapon is set into a steel pylon base that bolts to its preferred surface. Such cannons were in place in the Spanish-American War and beyond, seeing use as coastal and ship board defense against torpedo boats and other hostile vessels. Many were later put into anti-aircraft service.

This precision cannon has its external sighting hardware in place, and the breech loading mechanism is in perfect working order. The barrel is rifled and in excellent condition. With a reported accurate range of 1000 yards and beyond, with an 11 degree elevation such barrels are reported to shoot up to 3,500 yards. Each round of ammo, made by Winchester Arms of New York, measured 37 x 137 mm and would pack approximately .15 pound of black powder and TNT mixed. Several companies made one of the 15 editions of this style One-Pound Cannon, including Hotchkiss and Maxim-Nodenfeldt, as well as Driggs-Schroeder. A big plus is the original ammunition crate with 18 inert rounds, and a second box with more cartridges without powder or primers. Yes, we believe it is legal to fire in safe settings, as it is a breech-load gun made prior to the 1899 convention date.

11 inches wide x 7 1/16 inches high.

A rare and impressive whaling gun from the earliest period of firearm innovation in the fishing industry, this English Whaling Harpoon Gun is a stout and serious instrument that revolutionized whaling. Made by George Wallis of Hull, he is recognized as the first successful maker of the swivel-mounted harpoon gun, circa 1800. The author William Scoresby indicates this period to have been 1772-1792, while other later sources credit the invention to 1800-1815.

When originally made, this Wallis gun had two flintlock hammers that worked off a single trigger, and have long ago been converted to two dual-percussion cap hammers, that would have lanyard triggers threaded out the locks to be fired simultaneously, ensuring the firing of the harpoon. With a full charge, it had an accurate range up to 40 yards. The name Wallis of Hull is on the iron barrel, amongst the heavy aged pitting, deep rust and signs of use under an old remnant of black oil paint. The left brass hammer compartment is marked “SHIP”.

Owning a deadly presence, the gun barrel is a stout 30½ inches in length with a 2½ inch diameter with a 1¾ inch bore, while the overall harpoon gun is 43¼ inches, plus the split-shaft barbed harpoon with ring for line attachment. The English Society of the Arts had paid premiums to whalemen and artisans in the 1790s and early 1800s for those showing innovation and improvement in the use of the guns and harpoons. When William Greener substantially changed the design and powder of this type of harpoon gun in 1837, the new styles became known as Greener guns. This older gun was kept in use during this period, as indicated by its conversion.

Size: Saucer: 5 3/8 " wide x 1 1/4" deep- Cup: 4" Wide x 2 3/8" deep.

Circa 1690 Armada Chest includes keys to outer and inner locks.

This capstan was acquired locally in Southern California. It was found in Argentina, originally from the bark sailing ship LOTTIE CARLSON 1872. captained by . The photograph on this page is of the LOTTIE CARLSON in Newport Harbor, California 1920's and is included in the purchase of the capstan. The photo has information on the vessel, including its captains, mates and cook and the names the vessel had over the years it was in service. The LOTTIE CARLSON was painted by Duncan Gleason and that painting is Joe Vallejo's private collection.

By: Diving Equipment and Supply Co. Ltd.

Hand-made copper roof weathervane, from home of W.H. Nelson in Sag Harbor, N.Y. Nelson was an early 19th Century whaleship owner, including the whaleship EDWARD circa 1830s.

Inscription reads: PSEEST:A:1765. - VOC

Correct weight for its size.

A Napoleonic-era flintlock pistol which would have been a prized possession of its owner, this firearm shows the care its owners have given it over the past 200-plus years. It is in great working condition, with the powder pan and hammer in silvered steel, while the majority of the gun is hard brass. Signed on the lock by Ketland & Co., the company was one of the most prominent and active British makers in the late 1700- early 1800s.

,p> The barrel is marked with 18th Century London proof marks, a “P” and “V’ under crowns. The nearly-eight inch barrel is unusual in that it begins as an octagonal, hits a perpendicular reinforce band and then transitions to a smooth barrel, all original. While there is noticeable use and wear, the carving and details are crisp and well defined. A traditional wood grip is fitted with a long flourish of brass into its width, and a wood ramrod sets the muzzle load firearm to completion. A fine quality early flintlock pistol by a top maker of British guns.

This compact British propulsion unit is a full-sized vertical tandem compound steam engine that was used to power a small steam launch at the turn of the last century. It features twin mahogany lagged cylinders with 2.5 x 4.5 inch borse and a stroke of four inches.

Other interesting aspects of this engine include: lever operated Stephenson link motion, balanced crank crosshead-driven air and feed pumps, and a cast disk flywheel with baring holes.

This unit was manufactured by the engineering firm of Simpson and Denisons, Dartmouth, England about 1895. Their Kingdon's Patent maker's plate is atop the engine.

Includes original rope and harpoon cone.

Marked Gotama with a capital "L" for larboard (port side) whale boat. From the Gotama whaling schooner out of San Francisco, CA.

Nice rare flintlock rifle. Flintlock hammer missing top, sold as is.

More information to follow.

29 3/4 inches long, 38 3/4 inches long with Bayonet open.

Made of teakwood taken from the ship H.M.S.COLLINGWOOD.

With compliments of C.W. Kellock & Co. London & Liverpool.

Presentation inscribed: To Lieut. J. White, by the Officers, N.C.O.'s, & Members of "I" Company 6th V.B. Blackwatch. On the occasion of his marriage. 30th April 1902."

A nice rosewood case with numerous tools of ivory, boxwood and nickel set in the two-layer tray with purple felt.

Red Cross Line, Edwards & Symes, Builders. London 1883.

Dimensions

Barrel bore: 2 1/2 inches.

Barrel 28 1/4 inches long.

Base: 12 inches x 26 inches.

35 inches long overall.

Barrel end is engraved with: Sculler HXE TJC, 3831.

This heavy iron and painted tin hanging sign is ripe with elements from Scottish heraldry, echoing the region’s importance to the insurance company it represents. Alliance Assurance, established in 1824, succeeded to compete against the Act of 1720 which established government-issued exclusive contracts for maritime insurance to the London Assurance Company and the Royal Exchange Company. This was in concert with their life and fire policies.

Four red flags sit atop the castle, a show of traditional strength for the company’s logo. Founded by Sir Moses Montefiore and Nathan Mayer Rothschild, with partners, they held 5 million pounds sterling to secure their 50,000 shares, a tag line they used for decades. They expanded into international markets within the year, and were led by actuary Benjamin Gompertz, a noted author of famous author of statistics.

The latin motto, “Multi Societate Tutiores” closely translates to “Many Safe Fellowships”, and lions standing rampart hold the center, while the crossed keys of security are set atop a crown of fire with shields below signifying their life and marine policies. The iron bracket is top looped, and this may have well been a principle company sign at their Edinburgh office or their Bartholomew street branch in London, established well before this version of their 1880s logo.

Case dimensions: 7 1/4 inches x 5 3/4 inches x 4 3/4 inches high.

Heavy iron hub with polished brass ring. The American brass lamp base is electrified and working.

Dimensions: 17 3/8" high x 54" wide wheel- The base lamp is 11 1/2" wide.

Lens has 10 prismatic rings, a few with chips, and the aged cut glass has a very slight yellow aged tint.

European, once in place as an aid to navigation near Bourgas in Bulgaria, on the Black Sea, circa 1890s.

More information to follow.

Very interesting small British Cannon which has a 1 3/8 inch bore. Previous owner purchased the cannon from United Kingdom where it is recorded that it was used as a signal cannon to indicate rising and falling river tide.

50 inches high x 42 3/4 inches wide x 9 inches deep.

Looks like a period piece, in fact 20th century made.

9 1/4 inches long x 5 1/4 inches wide.

This heavy brass barrel cast in relief is a rather unique artifact, with artistic touches replicating a much larger cannon barrel, dated from 1563. Complete with a medallion showing a male ruler’s profile, beaded designs on the reinforces where the segments would have connected, the cascabel is completed in a floral motif. Foundry work shopws some of the cast seams, and the brushed bronze patina is attractive, if not completely accurate. A shield and coronet without a city or district identifier is seet before the touch hole, and plain handles and carriage trunions complete the cannon.

The black powder barrel is set on a carved wood truck carriage with several risers, and hard iron hardware, all set on wooden turned wheels secures at the axles with cotter pin spikes. Not sure the representational scale to the original cannon, but it appears this barrel may have seen some use, as possibly a signaling device and saluting cannon, and likely other purposes.

The cannon measures 25 inches in length with a 1⅜ inch bore centered in a 3½ inch muzzle diameter. There are six sections between the cascabel and the mouth, all with implied dual reinforces where they meet. The carriage measures 22½ x 11½ x 11½ inches, making the overall length approximately 31 inches. A quite rare and different cannon for any collection.

Barrel engraved with: MARK III The Remington Arms Union Matallic Cartridge Co. Inc. Remington Bridgeport Works Bridgeport Connecticut. U.S.A.

Inside the breach on the brass there is the number 9-361, this number is also on the bottom of the barrel, also there is a small 5 on the side bottom of the barrel.

More information to follow.

Carved desk set with brass cannons, framed image of vessel and carved Beaverplaque.

size: 26 1/2 inches x 11 3/4 inches.

Of the items shown only the two brass reels are still available. Please contact us for more information.

An unusual piece of sailing hardware, the tiller yoke in this instance is hand-forged from the shape of two Danforth-style anchors into a locking brace for a larger sailing ship's rudder control. The attached side mounted pulleys and toggled miniature blocks are brass as well.

A classic three piece Cast Zinc Spelter Statues with a clock instrument, in traditional maritime roles, posed as a Sailor at the Helm, hands on the wheel; Lady Signalling Distress, a fabric in one hand and a net encumbered polearm gaft in the other hand; a Watchman with a Lifeline and Ring, looking outward to cast for survivors.

Dimensions:

Helmsman: 25 1/8 inches high x 12 1/2 inches wide.

Distress:23 5/8 inches high x 11 1/8 inches wide.

Watchman with life ring: 22 1/8 inches high x 7 7/8 inches wide.

Clock diameter: 4 3/8 inches. Clock is missing pendulum.

Helsman and Distress have engraved placques. The Watchman with Life Line is missing a plaque.

Inlaid with bone, horn and hardwoods. Iron barrel and some gilt ornamentation on the lock plate and flint pan.

Dimensions: 2" high x 7 3/4" wide x 5 1/4" deep.

Excellent condition.

With initials G.F.B. engraved on one end.

More information to follow.

Rare Sunderland pottery mug with ceramic frog inside.

The verse reads, Sweet, Oh Sweet is that sensation, Where two hearts in union meet, But the pain of separation, Mingles the bitter with the sweet.

A British Brig is shown opposite the verse.

More information to follow.

Very nice quality Scottish Roll-Top Desk with drawers, postal cubicles and re-tooled leather top. Excellent quality, with working latch and key.

Also stamped with size "M" and No. 1.9