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.