Sea Research Society cannon being sold out of collection

Sea Research Society
Too late! These rare and historic cannons have already sold!

SOLD ~~$22,500~~: Beautiful bronze fighting cannon, 73 inch, estimated 400+ pounds

The large size of this natural, very dark patina, 17th century cannon with its octagonal breech to its trunions and round barrel forward, this heavy swivel gun would be a great addition to any museum's nautical warfare collection. The swivel ends are open over the trunions. Approximately 73 inches long, it is an estimated 400+ pounds. Minimal decoration except small rectangular shield or crest forward of the breech site. This gun appears to be early Portuguese or Spanish with Moorish influences. The lugs are pierced to hold the touch hole cover, while guns cast in the Orient rarely are. This was definitely a fighting gun.

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Traded ~~$12,500~~: Beautiful 17th century, bronze cannon with blunderbuss style muzzle, 48 inches long, very ornate, with crocodile, bird, etc., heavy with minor damage (front sight) expected with age. Appears to be Dutch made for trade in the Spice Islands. Very early as indicated by the open swivel trunion brackets.

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SOLD ~~$7,250~~: Beautiful bronze cannon (lantaka), 60 inch, 181 pounds, ornate breech.

This cannon was one of several purchased from an indigenous tribe in rural Borneo, we believe this cannon was used for protection in their place and as a symbol of their wealth. We also believe that this particular cannon was given by the Rajah Brooke from England in the 1830's as part of England's efforts to stop the head hunting by the Borneo tribes at that time and as appreciation for their support of the British Government.

The low trunions and other design elements indicate the gun was originally cast in Brunei in the late 17th or early 18th century. The Sultan of Brunei often honored senior administrators and regional chiefs by endowing them with tittles and presenting them with cannon. Prominently displayed, the cannon bore witness to the prestige and rank of its owner. Given as special gifts, such cannon established or helped sustain political alliances. It is now illegal to export antique cannon from Brunei.

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Overall length : 151 cm / 59.45"
Muzzle : 15.6 cm / 6.14"
Bore : 3.7 cm / 1.46"
Weight : 82 kg / 181 pounds

SOLD ~~$7,500~~: Beautiful bronze fighting cannon (lantaka) weighs over 50 pounds, no reserve

The large size of this naturally patinaed, 17th century cannon with its highly detailed symbolic crocodile and beautiful, stylized dolphin lifting handles would be a great addition to any museum collection. The swivel ends are capped over the trunions. Although not quite 38 inches long, it is a hefty 52+ pounds. Note the unusually fine leaf pattern at the breech.

This is a very early, small bronze, presentation cannon. It is real. It is not a reproduction or a toy. Guns of this type are frequently called hand cannon, but more often they were used to signal and salute in times of war and peace. They also were given as tokens of prestige and high honor. They were highly valued and in later years were even used as a form of currency. This cannon is just over 14" long, has an attached swivel. This gun is especially handsome with its simple lines and geometric design. Hand cannons were once working guns and this particular one, weighing a hefty 5 and half pounds, may have been part of a gift to one of the more powerful pirates or island kings as payment for safe passage through their waters. Rare, early, open style swivel caps.