September 9, 10, & 11, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/9/2025
Measures approximately 88" from muzzle to cascabel, with a 5" bore. A tapered bore that opens up towards the muzzle indicates that this is a drake. The bronze construction further indicates that this was likely a naval gun. Embossed with decorative moldings throughout, but importantly embossed with the monogram of the West India Company and the letters "G" and "O" for Groningen and Ommelanden over the chamber, with a secondary band that reads "SICKMANS" ahead of cascabel, for manufacturer Nicolaes Sickmans. Cannons like this were particularly popular with ships employed by the West India Company, as their tapered bore and bronze construction made them lighter, allowing for more of them to be employed on ships. Even more interestingly, the date of the cannon is right in the midst of the West India Companies foray into privateering, including the seizure of the Spanish Treasure Fleet at the battle in the Bay of Matanzas, adding an enticing possibility that this ship was used for what was essentially legal piracy. Accompanied by an email from Nico Brinck, the noted authority on Dutch cannon, discussing this cannon; an antiquities release from MCA, noting that nobody had claimed that cannon within one year of the discovery and the wreck was found outside of UK waters; an invoice from the fisherman, David Pynn, who discovered and sold the cannon; invoice from Mary Rose Archaeological Services for conservation and repair of the cannon; a scale drawing; and various correspondence. CONDITION: Shipwreck recovered and subsequently stabilized and repaired, with areas of significant cleaning, softening to casting, and a few holes about the breech, none of which appear to go completely through the tube. An absolutely fabulous opportunity to acquire a real 17th century cannon.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.