18th-Century Swivel Gun
bronze with iron fork, Chinese characters on the trunnion, with an unassembled, partially complete reproduction naval-style carriage

    Provenance:
  • Notes: The Swivel Gun was a small-bore cannon fixed to a swivel on a post so that it could be easily moved about the deck of a ship, put in one of the many holes in the gunwale for that purpose. Used both offensively and for signaling, it could be stored below deck when not in use. The carriage was a work-in-progress by Ellis Joubert at the time of his death, mostly complete, and with a hole in the center block specifically to accommodate a swivel gun.
  • Dimensions:
  • cannon h. 15", l. 21", dia. 4-3/4", bore 1-1/2"; carriage h. 8-1/2", l. 32", w. 27-1/2"
  • Condition:
  • **No visible cracks or damage to the cannon. There is a notch filed at the lower edge of the muzzle, probably a (not recent) test to verify that it is solid bronze. Cast iron swivel. Mount has some light rust and pitting. Some fresh scratches to the barrel. Bore appears clean. Carriage new and unfinished as stated in the lot description.

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by New Orleans Auction Galleries
February 13, 2025 10:00 AM CST
333 St. Joseph Street
New Orleans, LA, US 70130

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