West Sea Co. HARDWARE Catalog Page 6

West Sea Company

HARDWARE

Catalog Page 6

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6.30 18th C. PIRATE CANNON. Rare! The real deal! Authentic ship’s rail gun made by Spanish foundries in the Philippine Islands during the early 1700’s. Many of these cannons found their way into the possession of marauding pirates who plundered the shipping lanes between the Malay Peninsula northward to Formosa during that era. This magnificent relic is made of solid bronze, weighing in at a massive 140 pounds! It is beautifully cast with decorative details in high relief including classic dolphin handles forward of the touch hole and the maker’s cartouche above the breech. This genuine cannon (“gun” in Naval parlance) is mounted on trunnions attached to a pivot which allowed it to be slewed from side to side and elevated with ease. To these ends it was once equipped with a wooden “aiming rod” which fit into the circular collar on the butt end. This awesome ancient armament measures 65 inches (5 feet 5 inches) long and is 6 inches wide at the yoke. From the tip of the mounting pivot, which fit into the ship’s rail, to the top of the barrel it is 15 inches. The bore is 1 13/16 inches. Condition is excellent and original with a wonderful green verdigris patina and evidence of actual use in the bore. If only this thing could talk, what incredible stories it could tell!

Museum quality at its best. Again, make no mistake, this a REAL PIRATE CANNON!

A smaller if not somewhat similar cannon was recently offered on eBay for $7,500. It was described by the seller as (quote), “The entire cannon is made of bronze. It measures 38 inches long, 4 inches wide. It has a 3/4 inch bore size. This cannon appears to be a status item used to mark special events by the people of Borneo, Malaysia, and was most likely cast in Brunei, probably mid 1800s. The surface decoration is a nice feature and adds value, but there are no animals cast onto the barrel as found on the most desirable of these cannons. This cannon has a lot of casting flaws and casting cracks. The yoke part of the cannon has a loose mount on the side and looks like it was repaired years ago. The pin the yoke rides on is wobbling. This cannon has seen a beating over the years.”

PERSPECTIVE

MUZZLE

CARTOUCH

TOUCH HOLE

MUZZLE END

MOUNT

DOLPHIN

6.29 RAM ROD. Rare, 19th century ram rod for a large bore, short barrel cannon. This authentic relic is made of turned hardwood, probably maple, with a tapering bulbous end attached to a cylindrical shaft terminating in a hand-forged iron cap. Exactly 3 feet in length and 3 inches wide (bore) at the widest. The rod is 1 ¼ inches in diameter. Stout, original condition with a nice age patina. This ram rod might well have been used in Lyle guns (lifesaving) of the era. 195

TIP

DETAIL

6.28 EXTRA NICE PORTHOLE. Unusually fine, heavy solid brass ship’s 3-dog porthole. This genuine relic from the days of steam measures a full 22 ½ inches in diameter overall. The flawless crystal clear, thick glass port measures a full 18 inches across. The overall depth of this porthole is 5 ½ inches, having a flange thickness of 5/8ths inches, weighing an impressive 62 pounds! Condition is exceptional with a high luster polish preserved with a professional quality coating. We have not encountered a more pristine example in all our 35 years in this business.

PERSPECTIVE

DOG DETAIL

BACK

6.96 YACHT PORTHOLE. Unusual late 19th or very early 20th century porthole from a wooden hull American sailing yacht. This opening porthole is made entirely of heavy cast brass with the outer frame designed to be inset into the vessel's hull, secured with 7 large wood screws. The hinged port glass opens from the bottom and closes tight with a T-shaped bronze thumb screw. There is a space between the frame and port to accommodate a gasket. What makes this porthole so desirable is its pleasingly aesthetic oval form. It measures 15 1/4 inches wide by 9 1/2 inches high and is designed for a hull thickness of 1 3/4 inches. The thick tempered port glass measures 11 1/2 inches wide by 5 inches high. Outstanding restored condition with a lustrous finish sealed against tarnishing. Weighs 20 pounds. 495

PERSPECTIVE

OPEN

BACK

6.27 SHIP’s VENTILATOR. Classic 19th or very early 20th century ship’s funnel used to capture ambient sea air to ventilate below decks spaces. This especially handsome example is hand-made of contoured metal sections welded together forming a virtually seamless rounded shape! But what is remarkable is the opening of the cowling is rimmed with brass! The heavy mounting base is also of solid brass having a flange fitted with a rotating brass collar and 3 thumb screws for positioning. This unmistakable icon of the steamship era gone by is in absolutely perfect, as retrieved condition exhibiting its old weathered blue paint and patinated brass surfaces. It measures 16 ½ inches high by 9 inches deep. The opening of the cowling is 12 ½ inches in diameter and the heavy brass base flange is 8 inches in diameter with four screw holes for mounting. A very scarce commodity in the nautical antique market today. 295

BACK

OTHER SIDE

FRONT

BASE

BOTTOM

6.93 18th CENTURY CHINESE ANCHOR. Very rare early anchor from a Chinese junk. This unusual relic is made of solid Granite hand-cut with an “eye” through which is rove a one-piece forged iron bar measuring an inch square in cross section. The anchor measures 5 ½ inches wide by 7 inches long and 7 ½ inches high, weighing a hefty 15 pounds! With its iron shackle it measures 11 inches tall overall. Amazing original condition. Very reasonably priced. 195

DETAIL

6.24 FLARE PISTOL. Massive World War II American flare gun made by the “INTERNATIONAL FLARE SIGNAL CO., TIPPECANOE CITY OHIO” as embossed on both sides of the solid bronze handle. The side bears the serial number and is marked “PT APR ‘45,” This extra heavy duty pistol is all bronze with a steel barrel which has a 1 ½ inch bore. It is percussion fired by a large ribbed hammer activated by an equally large trigger housed within a bronze guard. It is breech loading and hinges forward to accept a flare canister charge. The barrel is equipped with an extractor at the breech, and a spring-loaded clip at the top locks the barrel closed with a positive fit. The butt of the grip is also equipped with a small eyelet for attaching a lanyard. The barrel itself is 5 ¼ inches long. Overall the pistol measures 12 inches long and 9 inches high. Outstanding original condition, fully functional, showing good age and careful use. 295

REVERSE

OPEN

COCKED

6.39 NAVAL CANNONS. Matched pair of decorative 19th century ship's naval guns on their carriages. These two authentic looking cannons have barrels of heavy cast iron mounted on equally heavy solid oak carriages with hand forged fittings. Each weighs a hefty 70 pounds. These cannons were not designed to fire, but likely were used as display pieces or trade signs. Each of the cannons is 27 1/2 inches long overall, with their barrels measuring 24 inches long and bores of 1 1/4 inches. Excellent original condition with the appearance of genuine 18th century ship’s guns. 2495/pair


PERSPECTIVE	MUZZLE

6.17 SHIP’s PADLOCK. Authentic heavy duty padlock taken from an early 1940’s merchant steam ship. This massive lock has a solid brass body and a very hefty shackle. The side of the lock is marked “HARDENED SHACKLE / RUSTLESS SPRINGS. Viro”. The opposite side bears the same inscription in French. It is complete with two original brass keys, one of which is marked “Viro, Serrature Lucchetti.” This large lock measures 4 inches tall by 3 inches wide and 1 inch thick. It weighs an incredible 1 ½ pounds! Original condition. Fully functional with a smooth, positive action. 49

OPEN

REVERSE

6.16 U.S. NAVY E.O.T. Genuine, World War II vintage ship’s bridge engine order telegraph made by “BRELCO 55 VANDAM ST. NEW YORK” as marked on the cut-out dials. This classic standing pilot house E.O.T. is constructed of heavy solid brass. The dials are of sheet brass, carefully cut-out to indicated the “AHEAD” speeds “1/3, 2/3, STAND(ard), FULL,” and as is typical of men-o-war, “FLANK.” The “ASTERN” speeds are “1/3, 2/3, FULL.” This telegraph was used on a twin propeller ship. Each handle moves independently of the other and each rings its internal bell (2 bells) with a loud, clear tone. Both sides of the head have bronze covers which originally held small electric lights. Outstanding functional and cosmetic condition. The internal mechanical mechanism is complete. 44 inches tall at the handles. The dials are 9 inches across with the head measuring 10 ¼ inches wide overall. The flange at the base is 11 ½ inches in diameter. The entire unit weighs 80 pounds and is quite manageable in size. A beauty!

This telegraph was originally illuminated by an internal electrical light assembly with a rheostat which provided adjustable light intensity. These components have been removed. Should the buyer desire electrification, an original such system can be installed for an additional price.

DIAL

DETAIL

REVERSE

6.15 STEAM WHISTLE. Late 19th century American steam whistle made entirely of solid bronze and brass. This handsome whistle is of classic form with an elongated “bell” topped by a cast bronze cap with a decorative finial. The mouth and body containing the valve are also of heavy cast bronze with a brass actuator lever. In our experience, most such levers were made of steel, indicating that this whistle was indeed used in a marine environment, very possibly a small steam tug. The lever has a mark, cast in relief “2 ½”, indicating the diameter of the bell. The whistle stands 13 ½ inches tall by 5 ½ inches at the widest. Outstanding original condition with a nice old polish. 395

6.05 SMALL BOAT FENDER. Genuine 19th century small craft fender (dock cushion) made entirely of hand-stitched leather over a cork core. Attached to the fender is a length of hemp line spliced at the point of attachment in a seamanlike manner and served on the bitter end. This entirely hand-made example of the seaman’s handicraft measures 8 /12 inches long by 5 ½ inches wide and 11 ¾ inches thick. Overall with the line the unit measures 55 inches long. Outstanding original condition. 95


DETAIL	SIDE

6.94 HUGE SHIP's PORTHOLE. The largest circular opening port ever made! This monster comes from a World War II vintage or earlier American T-2 tanker. It is made of solid cast bronze with brass fittings and weighs a tremendous 110 pounds! The 4 closures or "dogs" connect to pivoting studs on the main frame and tighten down on corresponding notches in the port. The massive port glass is 1 inch thick and 24 inches in diameter. The port is supported on a heavy bronze hinge with stainless steel pin. On the opposite side is a hook for securing it when open. To insure watertight integrity the port has a machined "knife edge" which seats on a large rubber "O" ring (still present) in the flange. The flange measures 30 inches in diameter, is 1 inch thick overall and has 20 concentric holes 9/16 inch wide four mounting. Excellent polished condition. There are a few small occlusions in the glass, mainly from the manufacturing process.


PERSPECTIVE	DOG

6.83 STEAM WHISTLE. Good, late 19th century American steam whistle of the type and size used aboard tug boats and steam locomotives of the era. This handsome solid brass example with decorative acorn finial is signed "LUNKENHEIMER" on the valve assembly. It is complete with its valve actuator lever and is mounted to a flange atop a base of solid teak wood. As shown this presentation stands 7 inches wide by 16 1/2 inches high. The whistle itself measures 14 1/2 inches tall with a throat diameter of just under 4 inches. Untouched original condition showing age and use, with a very deep bronze age patina to all surfaces. 595

DETAIL