GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
BRASS NAVAL CLOCK USED ON THE CSS ALABAMA, GREAT PROVENANCE AND HISTORY FROM DIRECT DESCENT OF CAPTAIN JOHN LOW, CSN.This wonderful preserved bronze cased bulkhead clock measures 7-1/4" in diameter, 3" deep, keeps amazingly good time and has direct family descent like pistols sold in the previous lot. When Professor Stanley Hoole (1903-1990) did his research in 1957 on the CSS Alabama, he found this clock along with the log books for the CSS Florida and the CSS Tuscaloosa owned by Miss Doreen Low, a teacher in Ascot, Berkshire, England. Miss Low, who never married, was Captain John Low's granddaughter and her estate was sold by Sotheby's Parke-Bernet in London, 1983. This clock was a rare commodity and valuable asset to 19th century mariners along with other nautical tools, such as sextants, telescopes and charts. This clock is not a gimbaled chronograph thought of as a nautical engineers tool, but was an important instrument to Captain Low as he no doubt used it on the CSS Alabama and later when he was Master of the Tuscaloosa and preserved it in the family. John Hamilton, in his August 1984 The Gun Report article, states that after the death of Captain John Low in 1906 "...the mementos he so treasured during his life passed to various members of this family. The historic pair of Colt 1860 Army pistols, which are the subject of the writing, went to one of his sons, Herbert A. Low, along with the ship's clock. Miss Doreen Low, the granddaughter of Captain John Low, inherited them from her father, Herbert A. Low. They remained in the family for some 120 years and did not come to the open market until the property of Miss Doreen Low, deceased, was disposed of at public auction by Sotheby Parke Bernet & Co." SIZE: PROVENANCE: Lt. John Low, CSN, 1861; Herbert A. Low, 1906; Miss Doreen Low; sold at Sotheby Parke-Bernet, London 1983; Alan Beadle, London; John Hamilton Collection, 1984; Craig Hamilton. CONDITION: Very good overall. Working and only off by a few minutes while cataloging over a period of 8 hours. Consignor stated that his father John G. Hamilton had this clock professionally restored by a clock maker without changing its components. Clock appears externally, at least, all orig, including thick beveled glass lens and hand-painted enamel face. Has only partial makers mark and "LONDON" visible on porcelain dial. There are no internal markings on the solid brass mechanism. There is some chipping of enamel around keyhole. 51012-2 JS (6,000-8,000)