4212 HISTORIC REVOLUTIONARY WAR CANNON FROM THE FAMOUS

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5,000.00USDby m******o (50084)
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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Nov 02 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 5,000.00 USD
Estimated at 10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
PENOBSCOT EXPEDITION OF 1779. This large and visually attractive cannon was found between 1890 & 1920 on a scuttled wooden vessel on the shore of Western Penobscot Bay in mid-coast Maine. The salvaged cannon was mounted on a monument on Broadway Street in Rockland, Maine where it resided there for nearly a century, creating a lot of interest. During the 1970s, two English artillery experts, while touring America in search of English cannons to document, inspected the cannon & gave a certification that the cannon was British & from the 18th century, most likely being from the Penobscot Expedition. The Penobscot Expedition was the largest American naval operation of the American Revolution. It consisted of a 44 ship fleet with the goal of recovering control of the mid-coast of Maine by evicting the British from Castine, Maine & by seizing the fort erected there. Paul Revere notably led a detachment of 100 artillerymen on this expedition. The Penobscot Expedition turned out to be the worst naval defeat in American history prior to WWII, with nearly all of the 44 ships lost, scuttled or destroyed. The cannon is a British 6-pounder as verified by a "broad arrow" near the breech. This marking, approximately 8 1/2" forward of the vent & slightly to the right side, was found when the cannon was sandblasted before being given a protective coat of paint. The "broad arrow" measuring approximately 3/4" wide is oriented perpendicular to the bore. The cannon and carriage measure approximately 10'8" overall, 7' in width and 5' high. The tube measures 5'2" overall. Trunnions are located below the centerline of the bore, which was standard practice for British artillery in this era. The piece had been spiked, the trunnions and the Cascabel knob broken off to disable it at the time the vessel was scuttled. The cannon is mounted on a period type flask trail carriage. The carriage is scaled from a mid 18th print which was used as a guide for construction. Carriage is well-made of seasoned oak w/ authentic detail. Gun is elevated by a sliding wooden quoin. The heavy wooden spoked wheels w/ wooden hubs measure approx. 53" in diameter & have steel tires 5" wide. Carriage is painted a pleasing period blue color. The ironwork including the cannon is painted a non-reflective black. Included is a wooden ammo box w/ carrying handles. Box measures approx. 18" by 16" & has an A-frame top to help shed water. Also included is a reproduced wooden bucket of the period hanging below the gun, used to carry water for sponging out the bore prior to loading. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 6 pound iron cannonball in ammunition box. CONDITION: the cannon has been professionally restored by a master machinist who replaced the trunnions, Cascabel knob and removed the spike from the vent. The cannon retains a weathered and cratered look of an artifact salvaged from the ocean and stored outside for many years. The bore has an oxidized appearance w/ moderate pitting. The carriage is well-constructed w/ a correct period appearance. Furniture was custom made where period hardware could not be found. Painting is correctly done, giving a good visual appearance. PROVENANCE: page of notes from consignor & two large prints depicting an 18th century artillery carriage. Prints are mounted on a foam backing w/ a laminated surface. Text on prints is French. (01-27873/RW). ANTIQUE. $10,000-20,000.