Galbraith cannon

corrado26 · 18th April 2016, 05:00 PM

I have in my collection a miniatur cannon or maybe a real cannon, made bei GALBRAITH New York of brass or bronce. I hope that someone here may be able to find out if this is a just a model with 17kg or a real life saver cannon. The barrel is unscrewable and has a calibre of 50mm, the total length of the cannon is 780mm, the barrel length is 500mm.
Thanks a lot
corrado26

fernando · 18th April 2016, 05:26 PM

Looks like the real thing. A modern item, though

.

Rick · 18th April 2016, 10:31 PM

Realized at auction:
http://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2684M/lots/8
Not the same barrel configuration, but still looks like a Lyle Gun.

A. G. Maisey · 18th April 2016, 11:24 PM

I've seen a cannon similar to this that was used to start sailing yacht races.

corrado26 · 19th April 2016, 01:46 PM

Thanks for your answers. So I learnt that this is not a model but a real thing for starting sailing races (?) or throwing lines in order to safe lifes. I wonder how this item came for which purpose to Germany...........
corrado26

broadaxe · 19th April 2016, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I've seen a cannon similar to this that was used to start sailing yacht races.

Yes, noise maker for starting yacht races, early 20th century.
The carriage is an homage to mid 19th c. salute cannons, of full size.

Rick · 20th April 2016, 03:29 AM

The one thing that puzzles me is the flare of the muzzle; I've only found one other example in a search that revealed many straight muzzles. I guess it would still work even flared.
The Lyle gun does not have to be too large as it shoots a weight carrying a 'messenger' or light line to the vessel in distress to which a heavier line is bent on to and sent out; then the breeches buoy or whatever rescue rig is set up.

A nice cannon to have; wish it could talk.

These were pretty much the standard in the US at the turn of the century for starting yacht races; newer versions still are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWFSVc1DIoo

Philip · 20th April 2016, 08:12 AM

If this was made as a starting-gun for yacht racing, why is the elevation adjustable to 3 settings? One would think this feature superfluous on device that would essentially be a noisemaker. Throwing life-lines is a more plausible function, the flaring muzzle is not a common feature but might make loading the cannon easier on a rocking boat in stormy seas.

Rick · 20th April 2016, 05:54 PM

The Lyle gun was employed from shore by the Livesaving Service here in the US. I'm unaware of them being used on board a vessel; I suppose it could be used that way.
The most difficult part of employing the device was the proper faking down of the messenger line. If this was not done properly the shot would fall short and the line would have to be faked down again properly, which is time consuming.
Pictured a Lyle gun display and a picture of the faking board.

corrado26 · 21st April 2016, 12:24 PM

Very interesting!! Thanks a lot.
corrado26

18th April 2016, 05:00 PM	#1
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Galbraith cannon I have in my collection a miniatur cannon or maybe a real cannon, made bei GALBRAITH New York of brass or bronce. I hope that someone here may be able to find out if this is a just a model with 17kg or a real life saver cannon. The barrel is unscrewable and has a calibre of 50mm, the total length of the cannon is 780mm, the barrel length is 500mm. Thanks a lot corrado26 Attached Images

18th April 2016, 10:31 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Lyle Gun Realized at auction: http://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2684M/lots/8 Not the same barrel configuration, but still looks like a Lyle Gun.

20th April 2016, 05:54 PM	#9
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	The Lyle gun was employed from shore by the Livesaving Service here in the US. I'm unaware of them being used on board a vessel; I suppose it could be used that way. The most difficult part of employing the device was the proper faking down of the messenger line. If this was not done properly the shot would fall short and the line would have to be faked down again properly, which is time consuming. Pictured a Lyle gun display and a picture of the faking board. Attached Images Last edited by Rick; 20th April 2016 at 07:38 PM.

18th April 2016, 05:26 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Looks like the real thing. A modern item, though .

18th April 2016, 11:24 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	I've seen a cannon similar to this that was used to start sailing yacht races.

19th April 2016, 01:46 PM	#5
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Thanks for your answers. So I learnt that this is not a model but a real thing for starting sailing races (?) or throwing lines in order to safe lifes. I wonder how this item came for which purpose to Germany........... corrado26

20th April 2016, 03:29 AM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	The one thing that puzzles me is the flare of the muzzle; I've only found one other example in a search that revealed many straight muzzles. I guess it would still work even flared. The Lyle gun does not have to be too large as it shoots a weight carrying a 'messenger' or light line to the vessel in distress to which a heavier line is bent on to and sent out; then the breeches buoy or whatever rescue rig is set up. A nice cannon to have; wish it could talk. These were pretty much the standard in the US at the turn of the century for starting yacht races; newer versions still are. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWFSVc1DIoo

20th April 2016, 08:12 AM	#8
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	If this was made as a starting-gun for yacht racing, why is the elevation adjustable to 3 settings? One would think this feature superfluous on device that would essentially be a noisemaker. Throwing life-lines is a more plausible function, the flaring muzzle is not a common feature but might make loading the cannon easier on a rocking boat in stormy seas.

21st April 2016, 12:24 PM	#10
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Very interesting!! Thanks a lot. corrado26