Hellman Harpoon Catalog 174-423-001

Mo. 174

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

Patented gun Harpoon

by Robert Brown, New London, Conn., 2nd Model (patented Aug. 20, 1850)- see item 132. which might be described as the more advanced 3rd model.

This iron has two moveable barbs, identical in form to the patent example of the Charles Randall handthrust harpoon. In advance of the barbed head is a very large lance-like blade.

Flat shank to permit rope to enter gun barrel, ends in round button 1-5/16" OD.

(S8St1!^"o&°i?eS!f?)- Shank is Cond. is very fine, clean to bare metal, with no pitting. OA len. - 37i" No Maker's or ship's marks or traces

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Found in attic of Town Docks Museum, Kingston-on- Hull, England, and acquired from them in trade for Single Flued Harpoon No. Ill

MAKER * S SHIP'S MARKS MARKS Modern style toggle iron, strongly deformed from conflict with a whale. Head and forward section of shank with much bright red paint over black, socket and after part of shank with much black paint.

Condition good - illustrating conflict damages including a deep tearing of the metal at point where socket is welded to shank. OA len. - 30" (bent) Originally measured somewhat over 32".

DESCRIPTION

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

T(H?)- perhaps for Thomas Hanlon,(N.B.) although this is just a wild guess center punched marks on head appear to readi V.K. - as yet unmeaningful to us on opp. side?

L,B, = Larboard Boat late 19th or early 20th Cent.

Tom Prindall Auction (ex Lexi Krause coll.)

Oct., 1979 Patented swordfish harpoon, with spring loaded flukes.

Pat. NO. 1,3^.693 dated June 29, 1920 by Frank Gilbert Hinsdale. Made of brass.

Removeable shank missing.

Tip of right fluke broken off.

This is an interesting harpoon oddity since it represents what is probably the last patented harpoon (albeit, not whaling), and the inventor is the most famous collector of whaling harpoons. The Hinsdale Collection at the New Bedford Whaling Museum being the most comprehensive assemblage of whaling irons known, and includes most of the extant patented irons.

H.O. HILLMAN 1919-1920 PATENT APPLIED FOR1

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NO. 177

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

Amer. Single-flued iron for Greener-type bow gun. Head rather small.

Very heavy, square shank behind head. Oval sliding ring with rope "thimble".

Typical split shank, but slot is at right angles to cutting edge of head (most Greener gun irons are slotted in the opposite direction at least most European irons are that way). Shank with plain end and butt dia. 1-3/16"...

OA len.- 45-3/8". Cond. is good with some verylight pitting. marked on shank behind head: J.B.(D?) - possibly for James Barton, New Bedford* None apparent mid 19th cent.(?)

R.A. Bourne Auction June 24, 1981 *From appearance of maker's mark J.B. and design of head I am certain that this iron and single flued hand thrust harpoon, item No. 109 are the work of the same blacksmith

178

0O&C "

Head for modern 90 mm.

Grenade Harpoon. Made of cas,t iron, with very dark green(?) paint over red lead primer. OA len.- 16-3/8" Wt. - 22 LBS. .s marics made by SPRING CITY FOUNDRY. Spring City, Pa. * No ship's marks 1940*s

* During World War II, after gift of Germany invaded Norway, the Sam Marcus, Spring City Foundry Norwegian whaling fleet was still able to function, since it was at mid 1970's sea during the invasion. The Norwegian Gov't, in Exile, located in London enlisted the aid of America in finding suppliers for harpoons, etc. Spring City Foundry made many grenade heads and had local machine shops make the shaft and toggle sections. This head was given to us as a gift in the 1970's.

No. 179

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NO.

DESCRIPTION

179 6£>6rf

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

Scotch Double-flued Greener gun iron, with two massive moveable barbs with stop-withers. Extremely long - OA 50f". shank dia.

1-5". Shank slotted at right angles to broad plane of head, Sliding wire loop roughly in form of figure-eight. Round thimble for whale line attached to smaller loop of fhe 8.

Butt end of slot packed with soft metal, probably lead, which I believe is to act as a shock absorber. One fluke is keyed to main part of head by means of two center punched dots (two on fluke& two on head). Condition; good to excellant. Wt. 12 lbs.

Marked on shank behind head ltd I Wf ;-f» H «f s side Nol t G.F. PHD. •' "pe i y (according to A. Credland of Hull Museum, this was a blacksmith in Peterhead) Side No. 2: ECLIPSE. 1881 (Eclipse was an aux. steam whaler of Peterhead, Scotland, and later of Dundee, Scotland) 1881

180

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N.Flayderman, New Milford, Conn.

Amer. "improved"toggle head iron. Cond; fair, with oa light pitting, some slight traces of orange primer. Extreme tip of iron broken off (about l/8"). Orig. serving on forward 1/3 of socket. Rear of shank with orig. woven and interlocking ropework and eye loop. Oa. len. - 30^"+.

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Oct., 1981

marked on toggle head MACY (E.B.&F.•Macy, N.B.) S.#l- BK, 0Y.(?) ' (probably Bark Ospray, New Bedford) S.#2- B.B. (Bow boat) 1861-1880

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NO.

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

181 Amer. Single-flued .o harpoon . Originally painted OA red with an overlay of black paint over 19" of the shank. It is hard to tell whether this paint was applied in this manner during its original use as a whaling iron. I think more likely that the paint was put on many years ago as a decoration. I have removed the paint from the head and about five inches of the shank behind the head (leaving paint in the maker's marks, to make them quite visible) This is a very fine iron in good condition. Edges of square part of shank immediately behind head are nicely chamfered. OA len.- 36-3/8" CRP on shank behind head (this may be Charles Paddack, Commercial Wharf, Nantucket.

Nantucket Museum has at least three irons with this mark the S.F. identical in size and shape to this one. Note attached tracings and P.Vardeman notes.

See our item No. 182, Note also our item No. 105-A with possible Poughkeepsie origin) NO SHIP'S MARKS 1840-1850 Sl$4eP?yp§£?,MA. 182 Amer."Temple-type" toggle Oct.,1981 iron. Came together with Q item 181 and was painted black and red in identical fashion. (Most likely an early decoration. There are signs on both this iron and item 181 that they may have been wired togfethcr - or rope tied together, as there are rope indentations in the black paint at the center point of the shanks of both irons.)

I removed the red paint from the head and forward few inches of the shank to look for further markings. The Temple toggle head of this item is extremely similar to the shape of the early heads made by Lewis Temple himself. Also the hole for the wooden pin is oversized. (See our item No. 136).

Cheeks of Clevis (see Lytle glossary) are unusually thin. I believe this to be an extremely early toggle iron. OA len.- 35s"(-) CRP - crosswise on toggle head No Ship's Marks 1848-1850 (?)

Paul DeCoste

Oct,1981

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NO. 183

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DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE 0?

PURCH.

Very fine Amer. Doubleflued harpoon with long flowing cutting edges.

Cond; excellant to good with some traces of old,well cleaned pitting. Thin black paint, possibly original.

OA length- 32-5/8". This is a handsome, very well wrought harpoon. marked on shank near head: GIFFORD S (suggestion of apostrophe between letter D and letter S) This iron may have been made

by Gustavus Gifford who worked on Commercial Wharf, Nantucket prior to the fire of 18*4-6.

I have also once seen a lance which was "marked "Gifford, Charlestown" - Nothing known of him and this may be by that maker.

No Ship*s marks mid 19th cent.(?)

Sotheby Auction Sept., 1981 Excellent Amer. Improved toggle head harpoon with intermediate sized toggle head (head len. 6-3/8") Head size is about small enough to fit into that mysterious class of toggle iron known as the "Sag Harbor" type. This iron is very finely wrought.

It is very clean with no pitting.

Very dark patina, perhaps traces of original black paint. OA len. - 33-1/8".

Marked on side of toggle head: J. MACY (Josiah Macy, New Bedford) No ship's Marks 1850-1857 (based on dates which the J. MACY mark would have been used. Temple supposedly invented his toggle in 18*4-8, and there are those who believe that the "Improved" design was develop­ ed by J. Macy sometime after that date, Sotheby Auction, 9/81

NO. 185

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

Four barbed "Lily" Iron with four long delicate petal shaped flues, moveable, and staggered two high and two low. Large, lance like blade ahead of barbs. Cond? fairly heavy pitting oa. although most loose scale has been removed. Socket seam is closed type after the manner of the British harpoons, although I am not convinced that this is not American made.

Some very "ratty" traces of ropework on shank just ahead of socket.

OA length - 36J" NONE NONE

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OP PURCH.

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19th Cent, Chuck DeLuca Auction (orig. prop, of Dan Fortin) Lincolnville, Maine July, 1981

186

0071-

Amer. "Improved" toggle head, obtuse type} head very finely cleaned, with no pitting.

Cutting edge quite sharp.

Edges have been sharpened back nearly to the 3/8" toggle pin, but this sharpening has completely removed the makers marks. Shank rather heavier than usual, with some very light pitting. Unusual extremely short "iron strap" (rope) with woven eye (total length of strap is only 12|").

OA length - 33-3A" Maker's mark, if there was any was completely obliterated by sharpening s,#l - b|L SxR (probably Bark Sea Ranger, â&#x20AC;&#x201D;1 New Bedford) Very interesting chisel marking S#2 - W^B (waist boat) Paul DeCoste Newberryport, Ma, Nov., 1981

NO .

185A

0073

DESCRIPTION

MAKER 1S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE PURCH.

Very long four barbed "Lily" iron with lance shaped forward point. Much original black paint overall. Closed socket seam and an irregular roughly l"xl" piece missing from end of socket opposite the seam. Very nice braided or woven rope harness applied to distal part of shank and much of socket. Old canvas "underlay" beneath the ropework.

Ropework culminates in a loop of 1/2" dia. line about 6 inces long.

Condition of metal good with only light pitting. OA len. 42-1/2" The closed socket makes me suspect that this^of British origin No maker's or ship's marks are visible.

19th cent.(?)

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Eldred Auct, Dennis, Ma. March 25 1994 $550

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NO.

DESCRIPTION

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX, AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

Hand thrust explosive Harpoon patented May 7Âť 1872

by Charles Freeman of Brewster, 007-1" Mass. (Pat. # 126,388). This is replacement for item No. 130 which was traded off to T. Lytle.

Explosive head is the same piece which had been mounted on item 130 and was transfered to this iron.'

The head is very heavily pitted and corroded (as it seems most of these are when found today) The shaft and mechanism is in excellant external condition with no pitting. This Freeman iron has the usual two barbs on the shank on opposite sides, 12" apart (center to center) and each barb is approx. 12" from its nearest end of the harpoon (not counting head). This itemhas a pull-out safety device which was not present on item 130. The safety is so arranged that it will automatically disengage when darting the iron (it seems to be a very unsafe safety) This specimen is not marked with the patent date as was item 130. Socket is completely served with marlin (possibly, but not necessarily original). It is therefore not possible to see whether the socket seam is closed as it was on item 130.

There is an lli"long fragment of a wood pole protruding from socket, which may be orig.

There is a 36"long iron strap with eye, which is probably original. The wood pole section has a paper labfil from Barbara Johnson Collection. OA len. (with head and pole)= 51" OA len. (head & iron)= 40-3/8" OA len. (iron only)= 35-5/8" 18?

NO MAKER'S MARKS

NO SHIP'S MARKS 3rd quarter 19th Cent.

Barbara Johnson Collection Part No, 1 Sotheby,N,Y. Gallery Dec., 1981

S. BARKER. BOMB LANCE FOE KILLING WHALES.

No. 46,437.

Patented Feb. 21, 1865.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. SILAS BARKER, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. IMPROVEMENT IN BOM3-LANCES FOR KILLING WHALES. Specification forming part c-f L-trters Patent No. 10.137. dated February 21, 1865.

To all whom it mat/ concern: When the lance penetrates the whale the Be it known that I, SILAS BAEEER.of the concussion caused by the resistance of the city of Hartford, county of II art fun:, and skin against the ring N and the end of the State of Connecticut, have invented new and diseliarging-rod L operates upon the trigger useful Improvements in the Mode e: Cor struet- K, causing the spring - hammer I to strike ing Ifarpoons: and I do hereby declare that upon the detonating-cap II and ignite the the following is a correct description of the charge of powder G, forcing the cylinder E same, reference being had to the accompany­ and lance-head G and stem F forward into the ing drawings, aiul to the letters of reference body of the whale, where the fuse F burns and marked thereon. the lance-head explodes like a bomb, as be­ The nature of my invention consists in the fore stated. At tlie same time the tlukesDof application and arrangement of a cylindrical the shaft A expand and hold on to the whale, shaft and attachments with an adjustable hol­ although the lance-head and attachments are low and explosive lance-head to a" Iraq-eon. gone from the shaft A. To enable others skilled in the art to make The discliarging-rod Land ring and springs and use my invention, I will proceed to de­ N are made of thin metal and placed edgewise, scribe the construction and operation. so that in shooting forward and entering the Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 s a side water they will offer but a slight resistance, view of the harpoon. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal and not sufficient to act ou the trigger till the section, showing the cylinder, tabes. lance- resistance is received from the solid check of head, &c., when prepared for ope rat ion - Fig. the skin of the whale.

3, a view of the hollow exploding lar.: t-head If the harpoon does not penetrate into the O and stem F and tube E as they ate tar be­ body of the whale a sufficient distance to op­ fore being placed in the cylinder A for ,.,:tioti. erate on the ring N, a small cord is attached Letter A is the hollow iron shaft of the har­ to the discliarging-rod L, so that it can be op­ poon ; B, part of the wooden handle: C, the erated oil by the man that throws the lance. hollow exploding or bomb-lance Lead: D, ex­ A wire is attached to the hammer I and panding flukes: E, exploding-tuLe: F. fuse- passes through a portion of tlie wooden han­ stein; G, the charge of powder: H. nipple dle of the shaft B at O. This is to be used by and detonating-cap; I, trigger, catch, and the hand to draw back the hammer K to cock apriug; K, detonating-hammer and main­ and prepare the same for action. spring; L, dischargiug-rod, and N ring.

A slot is made in the iron shaft or barrel I construct the shaft A of hollow rr.-ial in near the breech to allow for placing on the de­ two lengths, screwed together about the mid­ tonating-cap, and the space will be covered dle, or where they form the breech and cham­ by a rubber ring or other water-tight device. ber for the charge of powder G. The ba :k part The utility of this improved lance is in com­ of the tube contains the hammer, spring, and pactness and the powerful action as a handother attachments necessary for erploLug the harpoon. charge of powder G. What I claim as my invention, and desire to The tube E, Fig. 3, is a hollow metal cylin­ secure by Letters Patent, is— der of suitable size and length to fit in the 1. The arrangement of tlie mode of separa­ barrel of the shaft A. as shown in Fig. 2. This tion of tlie lauce-head C and fuse-tube Ffrom cylinder E contains a charge of powder up to the shaft of the lance, substantially as de­ the division M. which will be ignited by the scribed. explosion of the charge of powder G. shooting 2. Tbe arrangement of the adjustable hol­ the same forward into the body ef the whale low exploding lance-head G, in the manner with the lance-head G and fuse-stem r. The and for the purpose substantially as herein fuse in the stem ignites and burns up to the set forth and described. charge Fin the lauce-head, which, being tilled SILAS BARKER. with powder ami sharp angular pieces of steel, explodes and acts the same as a be:nl:. -ad the Witnesses: effect upon the interior of a whale may be im­ WAI. VINE, agined but not described. | GEORGE W. FRANCIS.

NO.

DESCRIPTION

188

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX, AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

Patent Model of Silas'Barkerâ&#x20AC;˘s (Hartford, Conn.) exploding head hand thrust harpoon which was patented Feb. 21, 1865, Pat. No. ^6,^37.

Model has complete original patent office tag, together with smaller green receiving tag which reads 'Silas Barker Harpoon, Rec'd July 8, 1863" Model is missing one of the two moveable flukes.

This is a fairly crudely built tole model which was painted a matallic blue color fairly recently by someone to make it more attractive (probably by an employee of Rundel Gilbert). The fluke moves in and out, but I cannot tell whether the model has any workable internal mechanism. Thrusting the actual harpoon into the whale would cause the circular ring to move backward, together with the attached bar. movement backward of the bar would trip the trigger and cause an internal spring loaded hammer to strike a percussion cap and fire the head deeper"into the whale. This would also ignite a fuse which would cause the head which was filled with black powder to later explode. The two moveable flukes would toggle outward to hold the whale. Actual examples of Barker's harpoon are known to exist (one at the New Bedford Museum), These examples, which have the name and patent number inscribed thereon are made ÂŽfuite differently from the patent drawings and the model."

Note photo included on the following page.

Patent model has iron tag wired to it on which is stippled "Silas Barker, Hartford, Conn."

OA length of model = 9-5/8" Cliff Peterson, Jan,, 1982

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Silas Barker Har* PATENT MODEL ft \

NO.

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

DATE OF PURCH.

WHERE PURCH.

Alternate version of Charles Randall's patented hand thrust whaling harpoon (pat. no. 4872., Dec. 3, 1846). , which has been "married" to shank Oo7& J and socket from early swordfish โ ข" harpoon. End of shank has been machined slightly to fit Randall head's "socket". Socket of shank has two holes for fastening to wood pole (which feature would, or could have been appropriate for a harpoon which was designed to disengage from the shank. OA length of head - 9~3/4" OA length of head and shank together - 34-1/8' Condition: light to moderate roughness and pitting (color and condition of shank and head are remarkably similar). Extreme tip of head has been broken off; extreme tip of one moveable fluke has been broken off and slightly bent.

No MAKERS OR SHIPS MARKS ca. 1.85.0(?)

March, 1982 Arnold Avery, Noank, Conn.

* There is an as yet unexplained .similarity between the head shapes of the two versions of Charles ; Randall's harpoons (see Ashley's "Yankee Whaler", and photos of Hinsdale collection at N.B.* Museum) 1| ยง and two versions of Robert, Brown's gun harpoons (see our_items 132 and 174).' Actually, they are more tr.an similar, they are identical. with the exception of the Randall irons lacking the lanc'e-like point.

My theory would _suggest that Brown probably purchased the Randall design and then expanded; on it. Actually the later design, as seen in itgms 132 (Brown) and item 189 above (Randall), I believe to be completely Brown's development. My theory, as yet pure speculation, is that Brown probably manufactured and sold both the detachable hand harpoons and the gun harpoons. His ads in the Whaleman's Shipping List describe only the gun irons. Very little is known about Brown, except that he was master of the New London whaler North Star in 1850. p. Nothing at all is known about Charles Randall. His 1846 patent states that he was from Palmyra, Ga. (Tom Lytle wrote to the iV|) ' Town offices of Palmyra, and learned nothing).There was a Commission merchant in New Bedford named Charles S. Randall, who advertised in the Shipping List various marine items in the early 1850's. Perhaps this is the same man as the harpoon fl inventor. Further research remains to be done.

No. / 9 0

NO

DESCRIPTION

MAKER * S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX, AGE

DATE OF PURCH.

WHERE PURCH.

190

Brass "Swordfish" type harpoon, with two moveable flukes; arrowhead point; line f 00171 hole,with old 29-" long : ' doubled line, seized in three places. Head is detachable from shank in typical "lily iron'" fashion. Near end of 7/16" dia. socket are two 1/16;" holes 180 apart for pin to temporarily hold head to shank. Although this piece i came came with a typical 15'+ wood pole with attached steel shank, I did not feel that it was original to the head as the fit was very poor, so I separated the two pieces and fitted the pole/shank combo with a typical swordfish lily head which fit very well.

W.T. (William Taylor, Portland, Maine) * PAT. APPL, FOR (both marks are stamped on undersides of flukes makensfsmark one fluke, and patent info, on other) 1878(~*)

Spring, 1982

Although this is undoubtedly a harpoon designed for swordfish and other large fish, it has been considered by students of harpoons as a possible whaling harpoon, as there is no indication in the patent documents of the size of the harpoon head.

As far as can be determined there has never before been an example of this harpoon in any collections.

It is expected that this very one will be illustrated in T. Lytle's forthcoming book on whalecraft, and while it now appears to me that this harpoon was probably never intended for whaling and probably never made in a large "whale size", it will most likely always be included among the numerous rare and unusual patented whaling harpoons. The patent number is 206,691 and was issued Aug. 6, I878 to William Taylor of Portland, Maine.

Fred Hatfield, Sheffield, Ma. (who bought it from a picker from Maine)

NO.

191

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OP PURCH.

Unusual, rather primitive toggle head harpoon of un­ certain origin. Head has peculiar profile with no real "barb"- just a deep, nearly vertical step about midpoint. Head about 8|" long.

Head made to sort of wrap around shank, the trough apparently made by crudely hacking out the metal from a solid block of iron or steel. The finished product does not have a crude feel, however, and has the patination of moderate age.

The shank is fairly heavy and at the head end terminates in a sort of "needle's eye", which is offset. There is little doubt in my mind that, although very short, this iron was designed for major sized whale hunting, and the attachment pin is 3/8" dia.. Socket is irregular, "bumpy"& heavy with no visible seam.

Diameter of socket is 1-5/8" at max.

Most unusual of all - and as yet still unexplained is the existence of a heavy metal "plug" within the socket. This plug is just ever slightly less in dia. than the socket itself and Is permanently pinned into the socket -fit' 'from two sides (180° apart) by nearly invisible pins. Only li" of the socket is clear before the plug is encountered. !

X ' rj-Vv How can one, attach a wood" pole to this iron??

That remains the question; and why the plug??

OA length - 2?-3/8". Cond. - good. Two "splits on top of head. " No maker's or ship's marks 19th cent.(?)

Barbara Johnson Collection (label affixed to socket) Although this iron is described in q&+h 338) at N. Y. the auction catalog as a Long Island ^otheby s Sept. 25, 1982 Toggle Harpoon used in shore whaling, it does not have an American look about it to me. The profile is strongly reminiscent of pictures of Japanese whaling irons - which perhaps it may be. Hopefully more info, may arise in the future regarding this piece (Notes made 4/2/83)

Ho. lct Z

192.

NO. 192 | -—-y ;OOJ3j

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OP PURCH.

Very fine Amer. single flued iron with fairly long recurved blade, very good cond. in general, although socket has a moderate amount of pitting and scale. Small remnant of original rope serv­ ing (l"tol|M) just forward of the socket.

OA length - 35i".

This iron is unusual, in having what is prob­ ably its original wood sheath . It is made of two halves, nailed and served together with marling ; painted with original black paint.

Sheath is ? 7/8" long and has unusual strongly concave rear edge. The sheath is secured to the iron by an oak pin, i" dia. with rect. head with chamfered corners. Pin was almost assuredly made from a whaleboat chockpin.

Pin was originally secured to sheath by old rope which is no longer present. Interior of sheath reeks strongly of whale oil D. GRAY (Darius Gray New Bedford I836-I852?) mark on head one side Unusual again in having marks of two different vessels 1)one side chiseled HEDKCM(N is reversed) Bark N.D. CHASE" - Beverly, Ma. ca 1851 same side has ^ (probably boat of other ship) 2) opp. side chisel marked B»M«A*(most likely for Bark MARY ANN - New Bedford (same period) That side also has 111 for the waist boat of the N.D.CHASE. Ca. I850

joggph parj_ Auction estate of Robert Newell (Whale House Studio) West Norwalk, Conn.

* It is very exciting to find an iron with 3/lV83 the marks of two vessels. At present (5/14/83) we have only one other in the collection (item 125).

In that case there was a clear connection between the two ships - here we can find none. Examination of the placement of the marks leads me to believe that this iron was first on the Mary Ann and then for some reason was transferred to N.D. Chase.

SHIP MAKER'S APPRQX. MARKS \ MARKS' Very f i n e Eng. Greener gun iron from " l a t e " London & 0 8 O j South Seas F i s h e r y . Doublef l u e d head of t h e smaller s i z e t y p i c a l of t h a t f i s h e r y , but unusual i n t h a t i t i s minus the " s t o p - w i t h e r s " . I t h i n k i t was probably made t h a t way, but thr may a l s o have been ground o f f very n e a t l y . No p i t t i n g , but i r o n appears t o have been cleaned "shiny b r i g h t " i n t h e t y p i c a l B r i t i s h manner. OA l e n . 44", width a c r o s s the barbs, 4 | " ; dia. at butt, l-l/8"+{ sliding ring missing.

DESCRIPTION

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF P;JRCH.

very f a i n t markings, on bossesW. GREENER B (probably f o r Birmingham) on opp. boss s (M) ARGARST LONDON RS 184-9 I suspect RS i s t h e blacksmith who made the i r o n f o r Greener L l o y d ' s Register f o r 1350 l i s t s a whaler MARGARET from London, a P r i z e v e s s e l , bound f o r t h e South Seas i n 1849 Rod Cardoza, San Diego, Ca. ( t h i s was one of a l o t of 5 identical irons, which he obtained i n one l o t with a Greener gun a t B u t t e r f i e l d ' s Auction Spring, Reproduction Temple toggle i r o n 1986 made a t Mystic Seaport i n a l i m i t e d e d i t i o n , ha«y forged by blacksmiths t o commemorate t h e 100th ann. of t h e Driggs shipsmith shop ( M e r r i l l ' s wharf, 1885) - This i s r a t h e r a, a poor copy o f Louis Temple's o r i g i n a l s t y l e harpoon, with oversized socket and and f l a t topped (V10 a£ t 'c/<j e, ~h *~ea *"•- c. pi\Zoi3 head, 7 / l 6 " t h i c k . OA l e n - 32" marked on s i d e o f head MYSTIC, opp. s i d e 198b, and below head 013, i n d i c a t i n g t h e 13th of t h e s e r i e s t o be made Ordered Dec., 1985

NO. 195

MAKER'' S DESCRIPTION MARKS ' Good American d a r t i n g gun i r o n with temple\ t y p e head. Some l i t e p i t t ­ i n g i n some a r e a s . Much remains of o r i g i n a l orange p a i n t . OA l e n . - 38-3/8"."

M c k M a dd

to

1 ' k ) S iroA hi-" lotH / o n ! ar o d b U O ^ y , /

:z^.mbLU- ,*4

:SKIP'S MARKS

APPROXv 'AGE

MAC(Y) crosswise 'on head (E.B. & F. MACY, New Bedford) No s i g n s of s h i p s marks - p o s s i b l y never used a s p e r f e c t l y i8 6 0 ' ;

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

Sotheby'si Barbara Johnson s a l e #4 l o t 124 Dec. „ 1983

Arner. Greener gun i r o n with Temple-type head, r a t h e r l a r g e and heavy and with s t r o n g upward curve a t t a i l . Light t o mod. p i t t i n g .

Oa^len 4 3 - 5 / 8 " . Butt d i a - 1 " .

S l i d i n g r i n g missing. Quite p o s s i b l y t h i s i s from t h e C a l .

Gray Whale f i s h e r y . Auction c a p t i o n s t a t e s i t was o r i g i n a l l y found i n C a l i f o r n i a .

No l e g i b l e maker's marks SB c h i s e l a n d c e n t e r punched marked on both s i d e s o f head i860's (?)

Sotheby's Johnson Sale Lot #123

Dec. 1983

Bourne Auct.

1985

Rather s h o r t hand t h r u s t i r o n w/ Temple-type head, good cond. mod. p i t t i n g only near s t a r t o f s o c k e t . Oa l e n - 3 0 i " c l e a r l y stamped on head 5 . PARKER (Nantucket) No s i g n s o f s h i p ' s marks 1850 s - 1 8 6 0 ' s

NO.

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS. 1

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

198 Amer. s i n g l e flued i r o n X&rrpri i n good cond. with l i g h t p i t t i n g on shank and s o c k e t .

OA l e n . - 37 5 / 8 " Short rope warp, approx 1 0 | " l o n g . Socket opening 1 5 / 8 " d i a .

J . D. (on boss) (James Durfee, N.B.) Chisel marked: (on opp.boss) S . BAL (prob. f o r Ship Balaena, N.3. or. Ship Baltic, F a i r - h a v e n ^ , b e n t I also vert chisel slash-for Ww-berrt* * - on same boss 1 8 3 0 's-1840'sT?) a s maker's mark Dick Orcutt, Waldeboro, Me. May,198^ $275199 Amer. improved toggle i r o n f-^77 i n very good c o n d i t i o n . Acute barb, very sharp? some s l i g h t t r a c e s o f red p a i n t , e s p e c i a l l y on the socket? Oa len.- 315-" some s l i g h t imperfections o r pock marks on one s i d e o f head | casting.

A. J . (P) about 50^ l o s t by sharpening (A. J . P e t e r s , N.B.) BK PLA (Bark P l a t i n a ) ^ c h i s e l marked one s i d e of head s B (startoard boat) opp. s i d e 1902-1908 ( f r o m ^ P e t e r ' s beginnings i n h i s own shop, t o t he l a s t voyage o f t he P l a t i n a ) R. A. Bourne Auct.

O c t . , 1985 $275.

MAKER'S SHIP'S APPROX. WHERE DATE OF DESCRIPTION MARKS MARKS AGS PURCH. PURCH. Portuguese s t y l e toggle i r o n from t h e Azores o^ Madeira; shows s i g n s o f age and use; head c a s t i n g on l e f t s i d e has 3 / 8 " l o n g s l o t worn through - probably from imper­ # ere ,L f e c t i o n i n f i t t i n g and f l a t t e n e d re f o r e end o f shank c u t t i n g i n t o 6 t h e heads t h i s i s e s p e c i a l l y t r u e s i n c e t h i s i r o n does not open more than l V$ degrees ( a s i s common with some Azorean i r o n s ) in and I b e l i e v e b r i n g s g r e a t p r e s ­ s u r e s t o bear upon upper edge of t h e head when f a s t t o a whale.

Acute barb i s somewhat rounded and worn. Socket a p p l i e d around shank end, a s was commonly done by the Azores blacksmiths. Cond. s good.

OA l e n . 3 2 " ( - ) s i n g l e centerpunched indent i n each end o f eej?J|Qnchad S B or S 8 - possibly the smith, owner, o r harpooner

!j sf't (,iCe fyi •; , f ^rw<;: MTifafafaf s

>«3

•

20th c e n t . ( ? ) Osona Auct.

Nantucket 201

6f?)

75"/

Oliver A l l e n ' s barb patented gun harpoon with shoulder and socket, but minus r e a r shank. The head and shank a r e v i r t u a l l y i d e n t i c a l t o item 131, with t h e exception t h a t t h e l e n g t h ~ I ? from t i p t o end o f socket i s 26"(in l i e u of 29-1/8" on item 131 The i p t e r i o r of t he socket i s s l i g h t l y t a p e r e d a t t h e mouth, and I suspect t h a t t h i s i r o n i s designed f o r a wooden r e a r shank, one o f t h e t h r e e v a r i a t i o n s which Al fin made. The + shaped i r o n shank ( a s i n NO. 131) and t h e i r o n t u b e , would be s o l i d l y welded o r brazed i n t o t h e s o c k e t , while the wooden shank would be merely s l i p - f i t t e d , and would o f t e n t u r n up today minus t h e r e a r member.

The two s i m i l a r i r o n s a t N.B. Museum, Lytle No. 9 03 & a r e both about 26"long, a s i s t h e complete wooden shanked example i n Lytle*s personal c o l l e c t i o n . Cond.- good; black p a i n t overall, p o s s i b l y a r e p a i n t .

No marks of any kind

c a . 1850 Farmington Flea Market June, 1986 $225

NO. 202

~r?1

Description

Maker 1 s Marks :

Ship's Marks

.

Approx Age.

Where Purch.

Date o f Purch.

Nice e a r l y grommet i r o n f o r porpoise o r l a r g e f i s h ? probably American} socket well formed i n t r a d i t i o n a l Amer. blacksmith manner; open seam; good c o n d i t i o n , with mod. p i t t i n g on s o c k e t , and except f o r bend i n one "corner" of s o c k e t ; end of shank formed i n t o a f l a t t e n e d "eye" over which t h e head i s very l o o s e l y f i t t e d ; p i v o t p i n q u i t e t h i n - perhapsf" smoothly c a s t head, with no barbs, gromet missing; OA len - 26?"

Head capable of togg­ No marks o f any kind l i n g about 135 degrees 1 9 t h Cent. ( ? ) Bud Cobb May, 1985 $110.

203

Extremely unusual, p o s s i b l y one of a kind, double-shafted swivel barbed, o r "Lily" i r o n , f o r porpoises o r l a r g e f i s h . Each shank has a double barbed head, and t h e head of one shank i s s e t i n a plane perpendicular to t h a t o f t h e second shank. The shanks a r e very heavy, approx.

5 / 8 " i n d i a . and join t o form a l a r g e U shaped c o n f i g u r a t i o n - with t h e arms o f the U approx.

7" a p a r t . There i s a s i n g l e heavy socket welded t o t h e c e n t e r p o i n t o f t h e U. The socket i s 5 | " long and 2 i n dia* a t i t s opening. The seam i s closed i n t h e t y p i c a l English manner. There a r e some minor remnants o f o l d rope around t h e neck o f t h e s o c k e t . OA Length - 29". Condition i s f a i r with moderate p i t t i n g on heads and shanks and r a t h ­ e r heavy r u s t f l a k i n g on s o c k e t .

Weight approx 6 l b s .

X f i n d t h e design of t h i s harpoon q u i t e mind boggling, and can only suspect t h a t i t was made f o r some Goliath o f a man who wanted t o be c e r t a i n t h a t he d i d n ' t l o s e his fish. lhere a r e no marks o f any kind on t h i s harpoon 19th-20th c e n t . (??)

JE, \J 1,9 8S Bcuw<L Auctioneers tz.

(4Av"poCjJ '•&) (Lon.yic skan/k. l4 11 i if.. _ UpujeOtr, -f/y iw kca di Iyjert Vic*" in ' P j S I {Ms 0ZC3

Auction i n Middletown, Conn.

Sept. 1986 $357-

NO.

DESCRIPTION

204 NH 6536 /J

MAKER'S MARK?

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF , PURCH.

Improved toggle iron, acute barb, on old wood pole. Pole โ ข is from sapling trunk, untooled; round cross-section; approx 5 feet long and 2ยง" in dia. de-barked, axe shaped only to fit into iron socket.

Iron has original old rope 40" long with braided eye loop; seizings are gone; some remnants of marlin remain on socket of iron; Iron is 33" long, and has moderate amounts of pitting and rusting; barest remnants of orange paint on some areas of shank;(head is at present "frozen") no noticeable maker's marks chisel marked on head SJ3 (one side) and CWM (Charles W. Morgan) on opp. side (these marks appear authentic) At about midpoint, wood pole is ' carved out ZB (or SB with the 3 in reverse) It is most unusual to find Biarpoon poles marked, but if authentic, which they appear to be, these marks could stand for the boat or the harpooner late 19th or early 20th cent.(?)

Bud Cobb (through Ryan Cooper) Jan. 1986 $385-

205 NH6868

Modern "acute" toggle iron in good cond.; shank shows considerable evidence of rippling, twisting and contorting from conflict with the whale. OA length - 30-7/8"; a few old defect pock marks on the rear of right side of the head MACY (S.B. & F . Macy, N.B.) chisel marked one side of headL_B (larboard boat); on opp sideBK SBM (Bark Sunbeam) prob. last quarter of 19th cent.

Sotheby's, N.Y.C. Auction Dec. 1986 (one of lot of four harp. + iron Mace) 1700 the lot

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHI? *S MARKS

APPRO X

WHERE ' PORCH.

DATS .OF PU.RCH •

Very rare British single w • , y. shanked harpoon for Sreener type bow gun. Double flued head without stop withers.

Possibly made for an American market or more likely for the later British South Seas fishery, which was most likely strongly influenced by the American whalers.

(Note item No. 193 - British made 1349 less stop withers and for use in the southern fishery). Single shank is 3/8" to 1/2" thick and has sliding collar with substantial rope(5/8" O.D.) becket. Rope passing through eyes of collar is protected by by circular iron thimbles. nutt cylinder is rather small, being ohljllJ^/l6Min dia. x 1-3/8" long.

OA length of iron - 4-2". Condition is excellent.

3C0RRAR (on boss) LONDON (opp. boss) (Wm. Scorrar, Fore St., Limehouse, London) see attached letter and map from Museum of London No ship's marks 184-0's-1850's(?)

20?

\ool

large American double flued harpoon with head 4—3/4" across the tips.

OA length - 40". Hand darted type.

Fine condition.

J (?) M (on boss) (probably Josiah Macy, Nantucket or New Bedford) Notes Auct. catalog says iron had tag saying that it was used by a Capt. Hillman, but tag was lost by auction house

Sotheby Auct.

N.Y.C. Dec. 1986 (part of lot including item 205)

l840's(?) perhaps earlier R. A. Bourne Auct.

Hyannis, Ma, Aug., 1986 3225.

No

2

Please reply to Museum in Docklands Project, Units 39/41, Cannon Workshops, West India Dock, London E14 9SU Tel. 01 515 1162 24 February 1987 Robert E. Hellman, 35 Harris Road, Katonah, N.Y. 10536 U.S.A.

Dear Mr. Hellman,

Thank you for your letter of 24 December 1986. I am sorry not to have replied sooner. You certainly are discovering some important artefacts relating to London as a whaling centre.

I should have explained more clearly about the Lloyd's Register. Yes, you were right to think that Lon. S.Seas, refers to the Southern Whale Fishery. I am not sure that it is known for certain what might have been the "typical" Greener type gun irons for London South Sea Whalers at this period. The London trade had declined considerably by the 1850s.

Your new acguisition of another interesting harpoon with a London connection has required some additional research. I have scanned through the London trade directories as well as the parish rate books in search of the name Scorrar.

I discovered in the rate books for the parish of St.Anne's Limehouse in the year 1825 a Scorrar occupying a house in Fore Street in Limehouse. This riverside parish was made up a multitutide of tradesmen and manufacturers who provided the ships' with supplies and equipment. London's considerable South Sea Whaling fleet, estimated at over 100 ships in 1825, would have been Scorrar's main market.

However, there is some evidence that he was exporting harpoons to Australia and possibly to America. One of the main docking areas for the fleet was along the City Canal just to the South of Limehouse. The first trade directory which has a heading for harpoon-makers dates from 1844 and it lists him as "Scorrar Wm, 31 Narrow Street Limehouse" He seems to have lived and worked in Limehouse from 1825 to 1860,

i-XJ\ IUU! 1

making harpoons and other whaling equipment. In 1861, the entry for Scorrar reads " S c o r r a r W m & T h o s , s h i p s m i t h s , 5 2 F o r e S t . L i m e h o u s e ".

This might help for the dating of post 1861 harpoons as they should be marked as Wm & Thos Scorrar. They continued to trade by this name from Limehouse until 1878, when they disappear from the directories.

Charles Payton, an expert on London's South Sea Whale Fishery, has been cataloguing an early 19th Century whaling archive at the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich. He has told me that there are a number of letters from Scorrar to clients who have bought harpoons from him.

He thinks that Scorrar was probably London's major harpoon maker during the period 1830 to 1850. He also informed me that Scorrar was exporting harpoons to Australia and possibly also to the American whale ports. It seems unusual that the whale ship's name is not impressed on your iron. This implies that the harpoon was never used.

It might have been a sample sent to a customer. Your harpoon must date from the 1840s.

I think that the most likely area for the discovery of further Scorrar harpoons will be in Australia. Sydney was a base for many of the London based South Sea whale ships. Charles Payton thought that it might be worth putting a small note in one of the major maritime journals asking whether any public or private collections had Scorrar irons or irons marked with London based ships' names. I think that more research still needs to be done on the type of harpoons used on London South Sea whalers, especially when one takes into account the number of ships involved with trade.

Finally, I draw your attention to the recently published book A.G.E. Jones.

Yours sincerely,

Alex Werner Assistant Keeper Museum in Docklands Project.

by

M

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^3

NO.

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S /yiA.RKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX, A(JE'

WHERE PURCH.

DATS PURCH.

208 Unusual Canadian harpoon |RS>jrfc|( C ) r possibly»though u n l i k e l y I . z J some type of g a f f ) .

Reverse barb somewhat s i m i l a r to "stop w i t h e r " . Heavy shank 9/16" od. Closed s o c k e t .

OA l e n g t h - 224". I n t r i c a t e braided rope attachment s t a r t i n g about midpoint and extending t o r e a r f o r about 5"» then breaking away from shank t o form a loop about 12" long o f 1/2"+ d i a rope. This rope and b r a i d i n g i s very b r i t t l e , q u i t e o l d i n appearance, and mostly i n t a c t a t t h i s t i m e . There i s a braided l i g h t e r rope " c o l l a r " about an l i " long which appears t o be of a l a t e r o r i g i n , and which has been applied j u s t forward of t h e main b r a i d i n g . The l a t t e r i s i s q u i t e frayed a t forward and e s p e c i a l l y r e a r edges.

Condition of i r o n i s f a i r with o v e r a l l moderate p i t t i n g .

No maker's o r s h i p ' s marks late 19th or early 20th c e n t . - though perhaps e a r l i e r Robin S t a r r , a t Farmington, Conn Flea Market June, 1987 209 Another i r o n very s i m i l a r t o t h e above from t h e same s o u r c e . OA l e n g t h - 26".

Condition somewhat worse than item 208, showing ;the e f f e c t s o f moderate t o heavy corrosion throughout. This i r o n i s rope rigged i n a s i m i l a r manner t o t h e above, although t h e b r a i d i n g i s more worn and the rope loop has broken away from t h e braid and i s now a t t a c h e d with t w i s t t i e s .

The rope loop i s made o f j u s t s l i g h t l y l i g h t e r rope, somewhat under 1 / 2 " diam.

There i s no forward rope " c o l l a r " a s d e s ­ cribed above. ... . „ .. , No marks o f any kind NOTE:

ditto

These i r o n s were found by Mr. S t a r r i n Lunenburg, Nova S c o t i a . T"showed p i c t u r e s o f t h e i r o n s t o Arthur Credland iXJjha Whaling Museum i n H u l l , England, and he thought t h e y were e i t h e r g a f f s o r shark harpoons. I showed t h e i r o n s t o Klaus Barthelmess o s Cologne, unR. who thoughj-thep walrus il r o n s .

NO. 210

MAKER'S SHIP'S APPRQX. DESCRIPTION MARKS' MARKS . AOS Small double-flued gun harpoon, B r i t i s h , with two moveable barbs.

New condition} completely "blued" except f o r head and removeable segment 1 - 1 / 8 " long a t b u t t . Shank s l o t t e d with l / k " wide s l o t f o r most of i t s l e n g t h ( s l o t 19" long) Shank d i a . - 1 1 / 1 6 " . r e a r end of s l o t has s p r i n g t y p e "shock absorber" approx. 1 " l o n g . S l i d i n g r i n g , roughly 4" long x approximately r e c t a n g u l a r i n shape, 1 " near shank and 3 / ^ " a t d i s t a l end. Ring stock approx. 3 / l 6 " d i a . s t e e l r o d . Harpoon i s 25-3/8" OA l e n g t h .

Butt end has s l o t t o f a c i l i t a t e removal.

WHERE Purch.

DATE OF PURCH.

Deeply engraved on shank about 9 " from b u t t ends T . BLAND & SONS LONDON ( f o r Thomas Bland Sons, kjO West Strand, London) 1880 s ( ? ) Maritime Auctions E l i o t , Maine Oct., 1987 $130.

211

Scotch double-flued Greener gun harpoon extremely deformed and t w i s t e d by con­ f l i c t with a whale. Very l a r g e head with s t o p w i t h e r s . Tip broken o f f , probably by contact with a bone during c o n f l i c t .

Somewhat deformed s l i d e r i n g made o f two s t r a n d s of 3/16" diam wire t w i s t e d i n t o rope, remains, but thimble i s missing. Butt d i a .

1-3/L" ( + ) . I t i s v i r t u a l y impossible t o measure t h e o r i g i n a l l e n g t a o f t h i s i r o n but i t was probably i n excess o f ^-8". Present length of deformed remnant i s 31". Shank i s s l o t t e d 90 degrees t o broad plane of head, i n t y p i c a l Peterhead, Scot, f a s h i o n . Black p a i n t ­ ed o v e r a l l (over red primer), probably o r i g i n a l .

On one -boss- ( ? ) . R. MITCHELL& SON PHD (Peterhead, S c o t . ) On opp. boss ARCTIC l 8 6 l (Peterhead whaler) * Supposedly acquired by Mr. Cole from Fairhaven family o f Ambrose Bates, who s a i l e d on Am. whaler V . DOANB of Provincetown, Ma< in the 1860's

Chris Cole, Pawcatuck, Ct. a t No. Salem show A p r i l , 1988 $350.

NO.

MAKER'S SHIP'S. APPROX. DESCRIPTION MBB MARKS MARKS ACS American toggle i r o n s t r o n g l y a t t ibuted to Lewis Temple.

Unusually l o n g - p o s s i b l y t h e l o n g e s t toggle i r o n i n p r e s e n t c o l l e c t i o n s - OA l e n . - 42".

"Temple"style head with t h e r a t h e r d i s t i n c t i v e sweeping o u t l i n e p e c u l i a r t o known examples of Lewis Temple's work and t o very few o t h e r makers ( s e e item No. 1 3 6 - a known Temple made i r o n ) . This i r o n shows t h e evidences o f much age and use - t h e shank being q u i t e "wavy". Condition i s only f a i r having moderate p i t t i n g throughout. The head also shows some evidences o f heat which had t o be applied i n o r d e r t o f r e e i t from i t s frozen cond­ i t i o n . The socket has has a two inch l o n g indented s c a r near t h e forward end about 45 degrees from t h e t y p i c a l "open" seamj t h i s s c a r i s probably a d e f e c t i n i t s manufacture.

WHERE PURCH

DATE OF PURCH.

Unfortunately the makers marks a r e o n l y fragmentary and s u g g e s t i v e . There i s a definite letter T located on t h e head j u s t forward of t h e cheeks; and t h e r e i s the f a i n t e s t suggestion o f t h e letter L in a different part o f t h e same s i d e o f the head t h e l a t t e r may o n l y be a corroded depression and not a l e t t e r a t a l l .

On cheek opposite t o t h e s i d e with t h e maker's marks a r e c h i s e l e d M J C ( o r 0) - I f i t i s MJC, a s I b e l i e v e , t h e C has been r o t a t e d i n e r r o r so t h a t the opening f a c e s up­ ward - a p o s s i b i l i t y i f t h e one mark­ i n g t h e i r o n became d i s t r a c t e d and s t r u c k t h e c h i s e l i n t h e wrong a r e a .

In t h a t case I b e l i e v e i t t o be from t h e New Bedford whaler MAJESTIC. I f t h e l e t t e r i s an 0 which has never been comnletely closed - I anr a t a l o s s t o suggest a v e s s e l t o f i t t h a t combination.

On cheek opp. from s h i p ' s l e t t e r s a r e t h r e e heavy v e r t , chisel slashes to indicate t h e 3rd o r WAIST b o a t .

ca.1850 Bud Cobb, a t Farmington Flea Mar. June, 1987 $125

NO. 213 !75n?Tl L -~J-j

MAKER'S SHIP'S DESCRIPTION MARKS MARKS Nice American "Temple-type" to&§le iron, in good cond.

Rather small head? elongated s o c k e t . Very l i t t l e p i t t i n g .

Painted o v e r a l l with black , probably o r i g i n a l (most o f p a i n t was removed from head a s heat had t o be applied t o un­ f r e e z e head). OA l e n . - 31-7/8" Head l e n g t h - 6 - 1 / 8 "

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

J . T. & (CO.) stamped i n t o t a i l end of toggle ( f o r James and Thomas Durfee, New Bedford) Very unusual, t h e s h i p ' s name i s i s impressed i n t o t h e head j u s t forward of t h e cheeks using a small stamp which reads S . OME(GA)- most probably f o r t h e Ship Omega of Fairhaven, Ma. ( t h e r e was a l s o a Ship Omega from Nantucket but i t i s u n l i k e l y t h a t i t would have c a r r i e d g e a r by a New Bed­ ford blacksmith).

Along t h e lower edge of t h e l e f t cheek are a s e r i e s o f four punched d o t s , t h u s : . . . . - t h e s e i n d i c a t e the 4-th boat , o r BOWBOAT. I t i s a l s o unusual t o i n d i c a t e t he boat by a s i n g l e h o r i z o n t a l row o f dots ( u s u a l l y t h e r e w i l l be a s e r i e s of v e r t i c a l d o t s , i f t h e c e n t e r punched dot method i s chosen) NOTE: ALL marks, both maker,s and s h i p , s are on t h e l e f t s i d e o f t h e i r o n (another unusual arrangement) 1850's Farmington, C t . F l e a Mkt. June, 1987

$95.

\

Almost c e r t a i n l y t h e JT&CO mark was a c t u a l l y f i r s t used i n 1857, s i n c e t h e OMEGA and t h e MARTHA s a i l e d i n S e p t . and Nov. 1857, r e s p e c t i v e l y . The most unusual maker stamped s h i p ' s marks may have been an "Opening Day S p e c i a l " ( i t was common f o r t h e English blacksmiths to prestamp v e s s e l s marks) T o r , l e s s l i k e l y , t h i s may have been by s p e c i a l request of t h e Owners o r Agent.

w

c*%

>

^

;

S h o r t l y a f t e r c a t a l o g i n g item #213, we acquired t h i s Temple-type t o g g l e i r o n with a v i r t u a l l y i d e n t i c a l l y s i z e d and shaped head, a l s o marked J . T. & CO on t h e t a i l end. (This i r o n i s p r e s e n t l y i n t h e c o l l ­ e c t i o n of P. Vardeman o f Kansas C i t y , Mo.).

J (James) T (Thomas) (Durfee) & CO. w as of very s h o r t l i v e d d u r a t i o n under t h a t tradename - according t o L y t l e , Harpoons , i t was formed i n 1858 -M when_Thomas's son Zoheth joined t h e firm ?2tiitaWaSn^ss2lved when Thomas r e t i r e d . This harpoon i s stamped by t h e maker S . ( S h i p ) Marth(a), item 213 i s stamped S. Omega Both v e s s e l s were managed by Nathan Church of Fairhaven and s a i l e d in'^1857^

NO • .214 JoToo]

DESCRIPTION

MAKER' MARKS-

SHIP' S 'MARKS .

APPROX, AGS' "

NHERE PURCH.

DATS OF PURCH.

Very f i n e , extremely s h o r t Double-flued i r o n i n e x c e l l t n t cond.

Amer. OA Len. - 26- 5 / l 6 Traces of black p a i n t , espec. on s o c k e t , which i s f u l l y , but warnly, p a i n t e d . I t i s unusual t o see a whale i r o n , a s t h i s i s , made i n such a reduced l e n g t h .

F(?) &(?) BARRITT ( t h e s e marks a r e very d i f f i c u l t to read with any c e r t a i n t y - I can f i n d no BARRITT's i n t h e New Bedford d i r e c t o r i e s i n my l i b r a r y .

However t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l BABBITTS, although none l i s t e d a s blacksmiths My inclination is to call it BABBITT although I can see no i n d i c a t i o n of t he r e t u r n on t h e lower loop o f the l e t t e r B.)

215 [USD

c h i s e l marked f a i n t l y on boss 3 A A a c r o s s the maker's mark I f e e l t h i s can only stand f o r SHIP ATKINS ADAMS of Fairhaven, o r t h e famous SHIP ANN ALEXANDER of New Bedford. Two c h i s e l e d v e r t M s l a s h e s on QBP A bosg„- prob. s t a r . boat ?§$(5s-?§50s R.A. Bo urne Auction Nov. 1938 S200.

Extremely long, e a r l y Amer. double flued i r o n which might t r u l y be c a l l e d an "Arctic i r o n " owing t o t h a t g r e a t l e n g t h . Hd. r a t h e r small with s t r a i g h t t r a i l i n g edges. Moderate p i t t i n g o v e r a l l .

Socket r a t h e r s h o r t . Shank shows evidence o f many s t r a i g h t e n i n g s very wavy. Traces of black p a i n t o v e r a l l . OA l e n . 4 6 | " ( + )

Deep r e c t a n g u l a r depression on head (approx 1 / 2 " x 5/16") w i t h i n which a r e s t y . l i z e d r a i s e ^ l e t t e r s which appear t o r e ad fjf" a J - probably fcr TIMOTHY AKIN, U a New Bedford blacksmith o f t h e 1840 ' s .to- S h i p ' s marks hu.i 1840 * s

ec -i >

C

Morgan Sept.

Levine ^ 1988 (from h i s p e r s o n a l collection) ^rOO

NO .

I 216

MAKER'S MARKS •

DESCRIPTION

SHIP'S MARKS

APPRO.X. ACS

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

Unusual extremely long double flued "Arctic iron" very similar in most respects to item 215* Head is somewhat small with straight trailing edges and unfortunately has been recently resharpened and perhaps also somewhat reshaped. OA len. is K6i" almost id­ entical to item 215- Condition is very good with scarcely any pitting. Old black paint generally overall. Long nicely formed socket.

No maker's marks \

fio

p§^

chisel marked lightly on head OP » which might represent the bark OSPREY of New 3edford ???

01

O ~

1

c{<t

rM

4

J

1850's(?)

f. l.o

0#

1

d

R.A. Bo urne Auction

Aug. 1986

•3375.

^

Robert Brown 1st Model gun harpoon with fixed double-flued head . Lance point has been lost and has been replaced by a simulated point of flat steel which has been painted black to differentiate it from the original antique harpoon.

Iron is considerable pitted and corroded Faint traces of red paint thruout together with remnants of black paint. There is an old paper lable pasted to center of shank, much of which is torn away, upon which is pencilled GRAM-PUS. (This is a mystery as there was no whaleship by that name.')

uO0j?d

Length of antique iron 3V. OA len. including reproduction lance point (which I made) is 36 3/3 Shank wavy.

Flat of head stamped on both sides PATENT NOTE: see items 132, 132a, and 1?K for later & "improved" models of Brown's gun iron

traces of what appear to be center pundfed ship's marks which are completely unreadable

1850 (date of R. Brown' original patent ) --Ati5nurne uc

Aug. 1989

3220.

No. 216

#

NO. 216A

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S M

SHIP'S M

AGE

WHERE

WHEN

Very long American double flued whaling iron with an unusually short socket - only 3" long (perhaps it was shortened). OA len. 44-7/8" Straight lines to barbs - both cutting and rear edges. Good condition with only very light pitting one boss with deeply impressed rectangle 7/16" long x 13/32" high with raised block letters which appear to read "PH" - so far unidentifiable OR

qh I R/J j

opp. boss faintly chisel marked "S(.) S ???". There appear to be markings after the 2nd S but they are too faint to read 1 830's -1 850's (?)

Willis Henry Auc 2/15/97

NO.

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S < MARKS

SHIP 1 S MARKS

APPROX. ACE

WHERE PURCH.

DATS OF PURCH.

218 V e r y fine Araer. single-flued rry—2]iron from Nantucket. Iron is jylPVif in excellent "used" condition with no pitting. Shank is wavy from use and probable repeated straightenings• Socket is completely served with old marlin. Just the faint­ est traces of old black paint overall.

OA length - 36 3/4". deeply stamped on one boss: E PARKER

*** It is very rare, almost unheard of, to find the Port of Call indicated on a harpoon.

**

clear, deep chisel marks opp boss from maker's mark: ABBIS. 3.D. (for schooner A3BIE BRADFORD) *** NIT ( for NANTUCKET) on same boss as maker's mark are the following chiseled characters.: 4• B. M X (Parker's mark between the M and the X) this is a mystery: the bottom of the L is curved, so it might be a reverse J. If it is an L than it could stand for LARBOARD BOAT MIDSHIP - if that is a term to describe the WAIST BOAT on a schooner?

If it is a J, reversed in error, then it might be for JOSEPH B. MACY, the owner (or JOHN ? MURRAY, the master). I have no ideas about the X following PARKER, unless it signifies the boat.

*A3BI3 BRADFORD, a 1867-1869* Auction in N.J. two masted schooner 114 tons, built Jan. 1989 in i860 in Scituate, Ma. first appears as a whaler for J.3. Macy out of Nantucket on two p350. (?) short Atlantic voyages 1867-1868, and 1869(5 months) She was sold to Jonathon Bourne of New Bedford and sailed for him on 9 voyages from 1872 to 1888 when she was condemned in Brazil. In 1869 she was one of the three whalers which sailed from Nantucket - the last whalers to sail irom that port. (See item 125 for another fbABBIE BRADFORD iron) ** some notes on 3. PARKER: 2LI3HA PARKER begah as a blacksmith on Nantucket in the 1840 s and is listed as one of the smiths reopening a shoo within 7 weeks of the devestating fire of 1846. It was on CROSS WHARF (later called STILL DOCK ?) and he remained at i4at job to become the last whaling blacksmith in Nantucket (I869) and until he; was crippled by a stroke in 1880.. He died in 1884. The Parker shop continued under his son Clinton Parker who sold the business in the early 20th Century to Aquila Connie, who became the last oldtime Nantucket blacksmith in his shop on Straight Wharf - now the Four Winds Gift Shop, (see items 103 and 197 for other Parker irons)

i-iA ,^'S

:,o !19

,.mis

IP23GRTPTION

mn *3 •MarxsJ

APPROX. A J.3

WHERE FUROH«

DA M OF PUR H,

_ Long, ^ two bladed "Lily" (porpoise or large ,fish) iron'with r elatively large . sized triangular head followed by two very long leaf shaped swivel oarbs, rotating around a single i"(+) oiameter pin. Iron.^ is very heavily pitted and corroded" throughout. Socket appears to be a replacement, but is also Heavily pitted. One swivel barb has sizable piece missing near distal end. Painted overall W/5h fairlW recent gloss .black.

Socket with 1/8" hole for pinning to wood pole.

OA length - 30J" Hone

"TL i5 T 1

1 rc 'J

'

H'M V set A«3

/

a- sjMdarfKcc

f

No ne

19th/20th cent.

Bud Cobb at Farmington Flea Market (He bought it at Auction at Whites Rest. , Si. of Fall River, Ma. about aweek earlier) Sept., 1989 3200.

Unusual iron for large fish or porpoise with conventional whaling I oio£]obtuse toggle head. Head mtd. with whaling sized (3/8" dia.) pivot pin but has never been drilled out for wooden shear pin. Butt end of con­ ventional harpoon shanx has been threaded into a small short (2-5/8") socket which seems to be constructed by welding onto a |"(?) dia. hexagonal nut (shank of harpoon is threaded into that nut). Butt end of socket has two 1/8" holes 180 degrees apart for stewing to wooden pole. General light to moderate pitting overall. Some very slight traces of red paint (just a fleck here and there) OA length 32-3/4" A MOST PERPLEXING PIiSCE Late NONi HONS 19th Cent.(?)

220

Robert Eld red Auction E. Dennis Ma. OCT. 1989

377-

m

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S M

SHIP'S M

AGE

WHERF

WHFN

219-A Two bladed "swivel barb" iron or "Lily" iron for use in capturing porpoises or large fish. Two ]0tO6] 5" long x 1-1/8" wide leaflike blades which rotate around a 1/4" diameter pivot pin. Just forward of the barbs is a small triangular shaped fixed head. Moderate to heavy pitting and rusting especially on the socket.

Socket has an open seam somewhat unusual in that there is a rather large teardrop shaped opening at the forward end of the seam. Shank somewhat wavy showing signs of heavy use. OA length - 34". This item is in many ways very similar to item 21 9 which it is replaces.

No maker's marks No ship's marks 19th cent. (?)

Robert Skinner Auct. Galleries Bolton, Ma. 8/18/97 $250. (?)

NO .

221

DESCRIPTION

MAKER*3 MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGS-

WHERE PURCH.

DATE PURCH,

hand t h r u s t Extremely rareAtoggle harpoon made by Lewis Temple i n h i s o r i g i n a l design and so marked.

Extremely well wrought and i n f i n e condition with o v e r a l l deep brown c o l o r a t i o n but no p i t t i n g .

Head c a s t i n g i s t y p i c a l of Temple's p i e c e s with a long curved r e a r upper edge. Blade unusually smooth and well sharpened ahead of barb. Large hole f o r r e s t r a i n i n g p i n (about 3/16 inch OD) a l s o t y p i c a l o f Temple's work.. Pivot pin has c h i s e l e d indents on each s i d e - another Tenfle c h a r a c t e r ­ i s t i c . Head i s a l i t t l e l o o s e r within t h e c l e v i s e s than usually s e e n . OA l e n g t h - 37-7/3 inches.

Iron was purchased with a canvas covered wooden sheath purportedly original to i t .

L. TEM(PLS?) crosswise on r i g h t s i d e of head L• TEMPL(3) crosswise on l e f t s i d e of head R I - cente#Vrf:TCke.:l on l e f t c l e v i s (appears t o be preceded by another l e t t e r - probably a B o r 3 but only fragmentary) RM most l i k e l y r e p r e s e n t s t h e EGBERT MORRISON o f h'.B. o r LT ; R CHARD Mlr^flELL of Nantucket. opp t c l e v i s has t h r e e dots in a h t r i a n p l e followed by a f o u r t h dot - most l i k e l y f o r waist o r bow boat 1350 c a • R.A. BOURNE AUCT. HYANNI3, MA. 1991$ (from t h e c o l l e c t i o n o f t h e l a t e Richard Wehle, of Buffalo, N.Y. who purch. i t from N. Flayderman about 1975) $550.00

NO.

DESCRIPTION

jj

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S PIARKS

APPRO*.

ASS

p/ofi

DATE OF PURCH.

Double f l u e d S r e e n e r gun i r o n w i t h r a t h e r l o n g narrow head, w i t h s t o p w i t h e r s . Almost c e r t a i n l y made f o r t h e l a t e B r i t i s h South Seas f i s h e r y - much l e s s common t h a n t h e huge headed A r c t i c S r e e n e r gun i r o n s f r e q u e My s e e n . Cond. good t o f a i r w i t h o v e r a l l brown c o l o r a t i o n and l i g h t t o moderate p i t t i n g . OA l e n . - ^5^"* D i a . a t b u t t end - I , : " . S l o t i s a t r i g h t a n g l e s to t h e broad a x i s o f t h e h e a d .

Slide ring missing.

Stamped on b o s s ; W SREENER 1353 Also stamped, o n t h e same s i d e immediately ahead o f t h e forward end of' s l o t i s t h e numeral 3 (meaning o f which i s unknown t o me - p e r h a p s i t r e p r e s e n t s t h e bore o f the, gun No l e g i b l e s h i p ' s marks 1853.

223

WHERE FURCH.

S . Lang F o r t Washington, N.Y. 19b 9 ($&.

x r a t e , most u n u s u a l s i n g l e f l u e c h a r ; oo i, hand t h r u s t , w i t h a s e c o n d , moveable b a r b , p o s i t i o n e d between c l e v i s l o c a t e d a b o u t 2" t o t h e r e a r o f t h e main b a r b , b u t o n t h e o p p . s i d e o f t h e s h a n k . Seamless s o c k e t a b o u t 5 " l o n g and i f " i n d i a . Small l o o p welded t o t h e s i d e o f t h e s o c k e t n e a r t h e d i s t a l e n d . Shank i s made from k " d i a - commercial s t e e l r o d . Welding i s s u b s t a n t i a l i n q u a l i t y and ground smooth, b u t o u t l i n e s a r e c r u d e and d e f i n i t e l y n o t t h e work o f a 1 9 t h c e n t , b l a c k s m i t h . OA. l e n . - 3 0 - 3 / 8 " .

The purpose o r o r i g i n o f t h i s harpoon i s unknown t o me - b u t I f e e l c e r t a i n t h a t i t was made f o r some t y p e o f f i s h i n g and t h a t i t i s n o t a r e p r o .

No m a k e r ' s marks No s h i p ' s marks 2 0 t h C e n t , d e a l e r Yonkers, N.Y. Notes t h e r e were two o f t h e s e p i e c e s - n e a r l y i d e n t i c a l .

1939 <i>50Âť I bought o n l y o n e . I have s e e n t h e s e two i r o n s a number o f t i m e s o v e r s e v e r a l y e a r s . They were o f f e r e d t o me o r i g .

by Jack J a c o b s e n o f S t a t e n I s l . b u t I d e c l i n e d . He s o l d them t o E l l i e Z e l l e n who o f f e r e d them t o Nina, and l a t e r p u t them i n a u c t i o n i n Bedford, N.Y. We were n o t a t t h e a u c t i o n . Some t i m e l a t e r t h e Yonkers d e a l e r showed them t o me and I bought one - I suppose f e e l i n g d e s t i n e d t o have a t l e a s t one o f t h e s e s t r a n g e i r o n s .

?â&#x20AC;¢>

NO .

DESCRIPTION

MAKER 1S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE PURCH.

224

Extremely long, prob. very early double flued fT\(JO ' iron; prob. American OA len. 50-5/8" - the longest whaling iron I have ever seen. mod. to heavy pitting all over very short socket(3\")perhaps shortened. little trace of seam which is com足 pletely closed. Rear edges of head are strongly CONVEX (most DF heads have coneave or straight rear edges) Short square boss abruptly changing to round shank without any tap2KlNQ:. This is a most un足 usual harpoon. Much late black paint. no readable marks

No marks

19th c.

Jane List formerly in her father's collection (Morgan Levine,Sr.) 1992 $300?

Large headed "Improved" toggle iron - probably a Humpback Iron Shank 7/16" dia. OA len. 30-5/8" Socket opening 1-3/4"+ socket weld足 ed closed. I believe this to be an English iron although with no stop wither. Metal with nice patina No pitting. Signs of early polish足 ing such as is frequently seen on British irons. Was acquired from the Maritime Museum in Savanah,Ga. along with four other English irons Toggle head "obtuse" type.

OK

No marks of any kind

19th cent.

Paul Vardeman who bought it from the Mus. in Savannah

Dec iqqi

NO , 226

DESCRIPTION

MAKER 1 MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

Extremely large Amer.

Humpback iron toggle head only. OA len. 12-1/4" Obtuse design. Undrilled.

Small indent at location of holding peg on right side of head. I suspect that this indent was made by a device built into the mold. Casting has been smoothoff and even sharpened. I would think that this is probably most unusual. I suspect that sharpen­ ing would be done after the head is pinned to the shank. Condition is quite good. Weight - 2 lbs. 6 oz No markings of any nature 19th cent.

R.A. Bourne Auct.

Hyannis, Ma. (Bourne's final Marine Sale)

Feb. 13, 1993

$66.

227

SSjII

New Zealand ftarpoon for some type of large fish.

2-3/4" long flat toggle head morticed into square sided sharply pointed head. Swivels on 1/4" dia. pin. Square sided "head" about 6V long followed by round shank about 20" long terminating in square sided spike about 3" long. Shank dia.

5/8". OA len. 29". 2-3/4" dia ring of 5/16" stock placed in hole in shank 6" from butt end Spike retains 1-1/4" fully threaded nipple 1-1/8" long which originally capped the wooden pole. Wood pole gone Condition good with moderate pitting.

No markings

20th cent.(?)

Antique dealer in Auckland, New Zealand who said it was of local origin Jan. 1993 $75 (US)

NO. 228 ——~l

LLJLI

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PUR.

Fine Long Island "Temple type" toggle iron in unused condition. Metal fairly smooth all over with only slight pitting on socket.

OA len. 35-1/8" Shank dia. 3/8"+ Rear end of barb and extreme rear end of head slightly deformed from being struck. Cheeks unusually short (2-1/4") Original (?) black paint .

J. CONKLIN deeply impressed in shank immediately forward of socket. This is most unusual. I have never before seen this on a whaling iron. There are no marks of any type on the head or cheeks JEDEDIAH CONKLIN was a Sag Harbor, L.I. blacksmith ca. 1820's to 1850's(?)

1850(?) Major Marine Auction (Rod Cardoza) at New London, Ct. April 28 1991 $660.

229

Zeno Kelley's patented gun harpoon (Dec. 3, 1867) . Point of head bent over Rubber cushion at butt missing.

7/8" long projection behind barrel centering cylinder has longitudinal split through center Cylinder is for 7/8" bore. Shock absorbing spring is missing. Typical two hole collar slide - rope becket R. Osona Auction missing, but remains of rope fills Nantucket, Ma. one of the holes. Obtuse toggle (from Barbara head - improved style. Wood shear pin remains.

Johnson coll.) }/8"d.shank. OA len. 26-3/4" Condition Aug. 14, good with some pitting at butt end 1993 and traces of orig. black paint ($440.)

There were two projections at rear of collar slide for centering - one is bent at 45 and the other is missing.

Z.KELLEY'S PAT(faintly) & DEC. 1867 stmpd. right side of head side of head chisel B. GLA (Barx GLACIER ,N. B .) 4. mkd. II £$arboar<f boat) 1868-1873 nsrht ^ide of Kead

\Sli£l

NO -

230

QJ1£X

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. WHERE DATE AGE PURCH.OF PURC

Large headed British Arctic Double-flued iron with stop withers. When I purch. this iron in 1993 it was in two pieces, havbeen broken about at the midpoint.

The two halves could be fitted perfectly together but the shank sections were bent strongly from the blow which caused the shank to break. I had the sections straight­ ened and electrically welded by Jared Silbershur of Pound Ridge. N.Y. Cond. good with moderate pitting.

The repair is visible but not objection­ able. OA len. 32". Socket seam closed.

Shank OD 15/32" W.HURST 1832 stamped on one boss also WH. 1832 stmpd. crosswise near mouth of socket (this latter mark location is often seen on British irons) PHOENIX.stamped on opp. boss.

This was a Whitby whaleship active 1816 to 1837 1832 as so marked R. Osona Auct.

Nantucket, MA. (from Barbara Johnson coll. ) Aug. 14, 1993 $200 incl repairs

231

HEX)

Small grommet iron for fishing, grommet missing. Slot through head to accommodate end of shank. Socket open with much corrosion. OA len. 25"+ Condition poor with muchpitting on shank,head and socket and probable considerable loss of diameter of shank which is presently just over 1/4" in dia.

NO markings of any kind 19th. Cent.(?)

Wolfe's Auct.

Cleveland, Ohio came together with Darting gun ca. 1989

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

NO .

DESCRIPTION

232

Amer. moderately long double flued iron. Fair to good condition with traces of orig­ inal black paint. OA len. 36-5/16".

Shank 3/8" dia. Tip of head strong­ ly blunted. One cutting edge noticeably "chewed up" for about one inch about midway from point. Shank noticeably "wavy" probably from use.

A G SNELL stamped on boss.

(Alden G. Snell was a New Bedford blacksmith working alone bet. 1836 and mid 1840's. From then until about 1856 the firm became Snell&Dean when he teamed up with Henry N. Dean No apparent ship's marks mid 1830's to mid 401s(?)

DATE OF PURCH.

CD/A/

Richmond-Auct.Gal. New Jersey Jan 17, 1989 233 Very unusual DF harpoon with head applied to shank mechanically and attachedto same by two 5/16"-3/8" dia. pins. Rather short OA len.- 30-3/4" Both rear points of head "rounded off" in most atypical manner. Socket well made.

Boss square in cross section and nicely chamfered. Considerable amounts of orig­ inal black paint. Shank 3/8" dia. and very straight. Iron appears to be in unused condition.* I have agonized over this piece wonder­ ing if it is a reproduction. I am still unsure. Have seen one other virtually iden­ tical iron, in similar unused cond., about one year or so ago*at a Skinner Auction in Bolton.

It was sold in a lot with other items and is definitely not the same piece. This iron was offered by Barbara Johnson at Sothebys Sale No ' Dec, 16, 1983 - Lot 128. It was est at $900 to $1200 and was bought in.

NO MARKS OF ANY KIND 7?77 R. Osona Auct.

Nantucket * (?)

"Barbara Johnson Coll."

Among the most perplexing questions Aug. 14, 1993 Why are both these irons, virtually in $550. pristine condition, UNMARKED by the maker??

[mxi

MAKER' S

SHIP'S

MARKS

MARKS

NO.

DESCRIPTION

234

Most unusual four barbed "LILY" iron from Maine and used for large fish. Extremely long OA len. 42" Shank OD 3/8". Small socketCOD 1-5/16" at opening. No visible seam on socket even from within. Iron has 3-5/8" long pyramid shaped very sharp penetrating point. Behind the heavy point are four 3to 3-1/2" long petal shaped barbs, unusual if not unique in that they all are pinned at the same level rather than being staggered in pairs as is the case with all other Lily irons that I have seen.

That means that each barb swivels on its own 1/8" dia. pin - making I would think a not very strong assembly. Cond. good with brown patina and light to moderate pitting throughout NO MARKS OF ANY TYPE

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APPROX. AGE

WHERE DATE PURCH. PURCH.

19th Cent.(?) from a Maine dealer at a Brimfield Mkt. May, 1993 $110.

235

Double flued Amer. whaling iron on original wooden pole cut from oak or oTXT hickory sapling with original serving and manilla rope "iron strap". OA len. 94" OA len. iron only - 33-3/4". Socket cov足 ered with canvas (most of which remains) which was served with tarred marlin. Hind足 most 50% of serving is missing. Iron strap about 47" long and is in good shape with two points of marlin lashings to wood pole.

Iron itself is in fair to good condition except for the rear end of the socket which has corrosion and metal loss especially near the open margins of the "seam". The canvas covering was probably mostly respon足 sible for this condition as it acted as a wick to soak up and retain water if the har足 poon was stored in a wet environment.

P E. MERRIHEW NO Ship's marks (stamped on boss) 1840's-50's(?)

PHINEAS E. MERRIHEW is listed in the 1855 census of Fairhaven, Ma. as a 37 year old blacksmith. The New Bedford Whaling Mus. has a Templetype toggle iron and a "Cast Steel" thick boat spade stamped P.E. MERRIHEW. We have a cast steel Sliver spade by him.

Ryan Cooper, Yarmouthport who bo. from John Newton, WisMay, 1993 casset, Me. $900.

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NO.

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE OF PURCH.

236

Very fine large ScotchGQREENER iGUN style whaling harpoon.

Oizz, Large head with stop withers 6-1/8" across the points and 8" long.

OA len 49-1/2". Dia. of shank at butt 1-3/8"+. Slot through shank runs parallel to broad plane of head. Original wire bridle attached to 2-3/16"OD round thimble to which is applied about 40inches of 5/8" dia. line ending in a knot. At butt end of shank slot is a 1" long shock absorber made of cork - an obviously expendable appurtenance. Cond. excellent with dark patina and no pitting.

W. CUMMING . KINNEIL (stamped on boss) It would appear that KINNEIL is the town in which this iron was made but have been unable to locate on any map so far JANE . BO. NESS 1858 (stamped on opp. boss) This was the sailing whaler JANE of BO'NESS, Scotland.

Bo'Ness is located on the Firth of Forth about 25 miles west of Edinburgh. Accord­ ing to Lubbock's ARCTIC WHALERS the JANE was lost in 1858 1858 as so marked purch. from the the maritime museum in Savannah, Ga. 1991

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NO.

237

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE PURCH.

Amer. single-flued harpoon of typical mid 19th cent, design. light to moderate pitting overall, partic­ ularly on head and adjacent few inches of the shank, cutting edge quite sharp but some nicking and slight waviness due to the corrosion.

Typical open socket but socket is quite short (only 3-1/2") I believe this was the original length and that it was not shortened. OA len. 34-9/16" No chamfering on boss.

A SMITH is stamped into right boss (partly oblit­ erated ) We believe this is the mark of Allen Smith a Nantucket blacksmith who was active in the 1840's (and possibly in the 1830's) Allen Smith was originally from W. Barnstable on Cape Cod There were ship's marks but they are completely obliterated 1830's-1840's Shute Auctions Ma.

March, 1994

*7SO-

MAKER'S MARKS

SHIP'S MARKS

WO-

DESCRIPTION

238

American(?) toggle head "Greener gun" iron believed to be indigenous to California and used in the shore whaling fishery during the last quarter of the 19th century. Very large unusually shaped "improved" toggle head 9-1/8" long with strongly upturned rear. UmiBbhal in having a strongly curved (convex) upper cutting edge with a vertical return (in lieu of the "obtuse" or "acute" angled barb). OA len. 49-1/8".

OD of shank 1-3/16". Slot of shank is at right angles to the broad axis of the head. There is adense wad of old fabric (?) at the rear end of the shank slot. It is about 1-1/8" in length and was most likely a shock absorber. Shank very wavy and slightly deformed from use in whaling. There is no sliding ring in shank.

APPROX. AGE

WHERE PURCH.

DATE PURCH.

lower right edge of head just forward of pivot pin appears to have lettering - ?AX? (could it have read BAXT(ER)??)

No ship's mark's and none would be expected on a shore whaling iron 1870's - early 20th cent.

West Sea Co. San Diego, Ca. (who purch. from local dealer who bought it out of a San Diego home) April, 1994 $400.

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Very fine American double fined whaiing iron.

Exceiient condition with no pitting. Probabiy never used. Moderately large head with curved cutting edges and strongiy curved rear edges.

OA iengtn 42". Long (6") weii shaped socket with open paraiiei seam. This is a work of art as weil as a working tool.

One boss aeepiy stamped "W C" - probabiy for Wiliiam Carsiey of New Bedford (although the auctioneer, Raphael Osona said that the consignor toid him that he bought this piece from Morgan Levine who had toid him that the iron was from Nantucket.

There was a blacksmith in Nantucket prior to the fire of 1 846 on New North Wharf named Wiiiiam Cobb, i asked Morgan Levine and he did not remember having such a piece) There are no ship's marks if Carsiey, 1826-56 in New Bedford and then Fairhaven Osona Auction, Nantucket 8/10/96 $605.

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Ml

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S M

SHIP'S M

AGE

WHERE

240

nicely shaped large headed American double flued whaling iron with convex curved cutting edges and concave rear edges. Condition fair with moderate to heavy pitting overall. Socket with some minor metal losses at opening of socket and in vicinity of seam.

Considerable glossy black paint of dubious age.

OA length - 34". *

WHEN

* I believe this iron is of Nantucket origin as it came from the collection of Charles F. Sayle, Sr. who lived on Nantucket since the 1920's and who I believe once told me that he acquired this iron on the island. Mr. Sayle died in 1 j^j^at the age of 86 There are hard to read maker's marks stamped into the boss. I feel the inscription reads "W H (?)" which I think is for William Hart, whose shop was on Old South Wharf in the 1840's There are definitely ship's markings on the opposite boss but they are much too faint to read I suspect this iron dates from the 1840's or earlier Raphael Osona Auct.

Nantucket, Ma. 8/13/94

$605.

#

M2.

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S M

SHIP'S M

AGE

WHERE

WHEN

241 Good Nantucket-made double flued whaling â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;7 iron. Cutting and rear edges are straight with only a little curvature on the cutting edges for about 1/2" forward of the rear barbs. Condition good with scarcely any pitting except for the socket, boss and the shank just to the rear of the boss. Shank is moderately wavy probably from use and straightening. Very minimal traces of red prime paint on the head and boss. OA length- 39"

On one side of boss at the juncture of the head is stamped the letter "F" orient ed-fjafaHel with tlie fong axis of the shank. The exact name of the maker is not known but it is probably one of the FOLGER blacksmiths Chisel marked on one boss "ALPHA"for the Ship Alpha of Nantucket 1834-1860 Mark faint but readabfe.

Opp. boss has three (3) vertical slash marks for the waist boat of the Alpha probably 1830's - 40's Skinner Auct.

Bolton, Ma. 1/12/97 $977.50

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Mi 242

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S M

SHIP'S M

AfiÂŁ

WHERE

WHEN

Double flued iron Nantucket-made very similar to item 241 except in poorer condition. Head with virtually straight edges which I call the early "Nantucket Type". Some slight deformities at the rear barbs and the point is well rounded off.

Condition is fair with moderate pitting overall. Open end of socket has been turned in due to pounding - quite possibly it was hammered upon. OA length - 37-3/8" The letter "A" is deeply stamped into one boss immediately behind the juncture of the head with the boss. It is done with the top of the "A" pointing toward the socket otherwise same design as item 241.

Maker is not known for sure but I suggest it might be Nathaniel Atwood The full name of the Nantucket whaleship ALPHA is chiseled into opp. boss from the maker's mark.

It is very faint but readable.

Alpha whaled from Nant. 1834-60 Opp. boss has three (3) slash marks for waist boat - same as item 241 probably 1830's - 40's Osona Auction Nantucket, Ma. 8/16/97 $550.00

NO. 243

DESCRIPTION

MAKER'S M

SHIP'S M AGE WHERE

WHEN

VERY GOOD NANTUCKET MADE DOUBLE FLUED WHALING IRON WITH FINELY WROUGHT LONG AND NARROW HEAD WITH STRAIGHT CUTTING AND REAR EDGES. VERY LIGHT PITTING OVERALL MUCH OLD RED LEAD PAINT THROUGHOUT EXCEPT WHERE REMOVED ON HEAD AND BOSS TO REVEAL MARKINGS. SHANK SLIGHTLY WAVY FROM USE AND STRAIGHTENING. OA LEN. 37'. WIDTH ACROSS POINTS 3-3/4". SOCKET UNUSUALLY SHORT - ONLY 3" (IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CUT) ON ONE BOSS JUST BEHIND THE CONNECTION WITH THE HEAD A LARGE LETTER «F' IS DEEPLY IM­ PRESSED, ORIENTED ACROSS THE BOSS (THIS IS IDENTICAL WITH THE SAME MARK ON ITEM 241) THIS MAY BE THE MARK OF CHARLES A. FOLGER (SEE * BELOW) JUST BELOW THE "F' THERE IS CHISEL MARKED WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY STANDS FOR THE THIRD OR WAIST BOAT ON THE OPPOSITE BOSS IS CHISEL MARKED THE FULL SHIP'S NAME ALABAMA (SEE** BELOW) PROBABLY DATES FROM 1846, THE FIRST VOYAGE OF THE ALABAMA OF NANTUCKET

BOUGHT ON EBAY 10/11/99 $570. ** The Ship ALABAMA was built in 1846. The Managing Owner was John H. Shaw.

She sailed in 1846,1851, and 1855 for him and in 1863 for G&M Starbuck and she was lost on that voyage * From a Certificate of Registry in my possession for the Ship ALABAMA in the year 1846,we can see that the 3rd listed of the 8 owners of the ALABAMA was the whaling blacksmith Charles A. Folger whose shop was located on Old South Wharf in Nantucket. His being a major stockholder in that vessel I think would almost preclude the purchasing of whalecraft for that ship from any but his firm. If this is the case, the "F' mark on the ALPHA iron item 241 can be attributed to the same maker.

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