December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/13/2024
Inscribed "Relic of the Royal George Sunk 1782, Raised 1840". The HMS Royal George was a ship of the line built in 1756, and served during the Seven Years War, was Hawke's flagship at Quiberon Bay, and was retired in 1763, but reactivated to serve during the Revolutionary War. In 1782 the ship was sunk during a mishap while attempting to roll the hull; more than 800 died. During that same year, salvage attempts began and a number of guns and other pieces were recovered; this cataloger is aware of several other books bound in timber from the ship with nearly identical inscriptions, and there is a 24 pounder at the Royal Armouries. Salvage continued until 1842, but in 1840 the structure of the wreck was destroyed with controlled explosions, largely settling the matter. Turned in six stages, with wedding rings at the girdles and a raised, turned muzzle. A number of small cannons are known, and the belief is that they were made from bronze salvaged from the ship. CONDITION: Excellent, with a deep mustard-gold patina throughout with some verdigris in recesses. Touchhole is not drilled through, and there are visible burrs from bore being reamed out.