Once you think that coins are the coolest thing to collect, Heritage comes along with an auction of
Longacre
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I was taking a look at the upcoming Heritage auction of historical war material. All this time I thought that I was a stud muffin because I collected coins. However, how cool would the piece below look on the front stoop of the Longacre Estate? Here is the text of the Heritage write-up:
"Magnificent Quality, 1647-Dated, Dutch Bronze Gun Tube, with American Revolutionary War Provenance
A very rare and very impressive gun tube with superb history.
Magnificent Quality, 1647-Dated, Dutch Bronze Gun Tube, with American Revolutionary War Provenance. 30½" overall, 2" bore, 5½" breech diameter, 7¼" across the 1½" trunnions. Base ring at the breech marked "C OVDEROGGE FECIT EN I O ROTTERDAM" The top of the breech displays a crest bearing a diagonal banner of four pyramids, giving the appearance of a zig zag. The crest is crowned and a banner underneath bears the date 1647. Research indicates the crest is of the Odrimont family of Hainaut, Flanders. The vent is bushed with a material that appears to be wrought copper with "ears" flanking the vent. There are three small holes to the left of the vent for mounting a match or flint lock firing mechanism. There are three iron core support pins equally spaced around the breech. The trunnions are low mounted and slightly bent from much firing. The breech face and reinforce are elaborately cast with floral/scroll motifs. There are two dolphin handles, each 2" x 3" long. The Ouderogge's were a renowned bell and gunfounding family in Rotterdam from the 17th through the early 18th centuries.
The gun is accompanied by a circa1900 typewritten note stating it was "unearthed by me in excavating the foundation of a small building on the estate of the late Capt. Samuel Sprague....where the action between the American and British forces took place on May 27, 1775. The Sons of the American Revolution have placed a tablet to commemorate the action and the tablet is placed at the corner of Parkway and Vinal Streets, Revere, Massachusetts." The note is signed by William H. Emerson. The Sons of the American Revolution tablet states that, "On the 27th of May 1775, near this point, a body of American troops engaged in driving cattle from Hog Island on the opposite side of Chelsea Creek, were fired upon by British Regulars who came up the creek in two armed vessels and several barges. Col. Israel Putnam, arriving with reinforcements, made a vigorous attack compelling them to retire with heavy loss and abandon the schooner Diana which drifted with the tide and finally grounded at Chelsea Ferry.... For meritorious services on this occasion Col. Putnam received the first commission issued by the Provincial Congress for the rank of Major General".
When the gun was discovered, it was in two pieces, apparently having cracked from firing, which is doubtless the reason it was abandoned. The crack is 8½" from the muzzle and was repaired by the late Smithsonian curator Don Berkibile, circa 1950. Absolutely the finest quality work and with the exception of a tiny line virtually undetectable. The tube exhibits a deep dark patina overall, most attractive. It is now mounted on a very old naval style carriage that is certainly not original to the gun but possibly as early as the 18th century. The carriage shows its great age, is very sound and displays the gun nicely. Estimate: $18,000 - $22,000."
"Magnificent Quality, 1647-Dated, Dutch Bronze Gun Tube, with American Revolutionary War Provenance
A very rare and very impressive gun tube with superb history.
Magnificent Quality, 1647-Dated, Dutch Bronze Gun Tube, with American Revolutionary War Provenance. 30½" overall, 2" bore, 5½" breech diameter, 7¼" across the 1½" trunnions. Base ring at the breech marked "C OVDEROGGE FECIT EN I O ROTTERDAM" The top of the breech displays a crest bearing a diagonal banner of four pyramids, giving the appearance of a zig zag. The crest is crowned and a banner underneath bears the date 1647. Research indicates the crest is of the Odrimont family of Hainaut, Flanders. The vent is bushed with a material that appears to be wrought copper with "ears" flanking the vent. There are three small holes to the left of the vent for mounting a match or flint lock firing mechanism. There are three iron core support pins equally spaced around the breech. The trunnions are low mounted and slightly bent from much firing. The breech face and reinforce are elaborately cast with floral/scroll motifs. There are two dolphin handles, each 2" x 3" long. The Ouderogge's were a renowned bell and gunfounding family in Rotterdam from the 17th through the early 18th centuries.
The gun is accompanied by a circa1900 typewritten note stating it was "unearthed by me in excavating the foundation of a small building on the estate of the late Capt. Samuel Sprague....where the action between the American and British forces took place on May 27, 1775. The Sons of the American Revolution have placed a tablet to commemorate the action and the tablet is placed at the corner of Parkway and Vinal Streets, Revere, Massachusetts." The note is signed by William H. Emerson. The Sons of the American Revolution tablet states that, "On the 27th of May 1775, near this point, a body of American troops engaged in driving cattle from Hog Island on the opposite side of Chelsea Creek, were fired upon by British Regulars who came up the creek in two armed vessels and several barges. Col. Israel Putnam, arriving with reinforcements, made a vigorous attack compelling them to retire with heavy loss and abandon the schooner Diana which drifted with the tide and finally grounded at Chelsea Ferry.... For meritorious services on this occasion Col. Putnam received the first commission issued by the Provincial Congress for the rank of Major General".
When the gun was discovered, it was in two pieces, apparently having cracked from firing, which is doubtless the reason it was abandoned. The crack is 8½" from the muzzle and was repaired by the late Smithsonian curator Don Berkibile, circa 1950. Absolutely the finest quality work and with the exception of a tiny line virtually undetectable. The tube exhibits a deep dark patina overall, most attractive. It is now mounted on a very old naval style carriage that is certainly not original to the gun but possibly as early as the 18th century. The carriage shows its great age, is very sound and displays the gun nicely. Estimate: $18,000 - $22,000."
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
0
Comments
Still, very cool collector's items.
<< <i>When the gun was discovered, it was in two pieces, apparently having cracked from firing, which is doubtless the reason it was abandoned. The crack is 8½" from the muzzle and was repaired by the late Smithsonian curator Don Berkibile, circa 1950. Absolutely the finest quality work and with the exception of a tiny line virtually undetectable. >>
Every once in a while, someone tries to fire an old gun.
Woe to the person in the distant future that does not detect this well done repair job and tries to fire it.
World Collection
British Collection
German States Collection
Re the Sons of the American Revolution, there is probably a good paper trail on the guy that dug it up.
That is cool by the way.
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
Personally, Id rather go for Dillingers gun.
always has a lot of nothing to say.