Vtg USS Constitution Naval Replica Display Cannon 1976 by Machine Trades Class

Description

Vintage USS Constitution Style Naval Display Cannon Replica
Great Historical Display with Americana Story
1976 Vocational Machine Trades Senior Class Project
Obtained from Instructor's Estate
Approx: 7.5"L  Cannon x 3.25" H, Barrel: 6.25" L, .375" Bore, Wood Base 12" x 5.75",  3.125 lbs
Just Reduced!
Awesome USS Constitutions Style Naval Replica Cannon, skillfully crafted by a Senior Vocational Machine Trades Class in the 1976 with great detail and historic appeal (see details at bottom).  Cannon was made to function for sound or flash only, not projectiles.  It was only fired a limited number of times prior to being mounted on display board from what we could gather.
It is crafted with a nice wood base, with metal fittings and barrel.  The barrel attracts to a magnet as well as some fittings on the wheels, other metal does (wheels) on item does not.  The plunger and cleaning rod may be copper or brass, not 100% sure.  This cannon is screw mounted to base.   The cannon is roughly 7.5"L by 3.25"H (barrel up).  The barrel opening is approx: .375".
The barrel had a lot spent powder residue in it when purchased and much remains, but we cannot see light through top fuse hole and a needle will not extend into fuse hole, not sure if hole was clogged from firing, filled or other.  The barrel bore hole appears to extend to or past the fuse hole, at almost 5.5" inches into the barrel from front end.  We are selling as a display piece only, not a working item.  There is some fading or possibly scorch marks on some of wood on cannon.  This could be easily be corrected, but we left as we found it.
This one has handmade metal wheels.  Sits on a nice wood display base.  The last picture in gallery shows all five cannons (2 have already sold) we obtained from this exclusive collection.  We have specialized in vintage to antique hand crafted miniatures over the years and these are a really neat find.  We literally only dusted off the item, and you may wish to clean a bit more.  It is in nice shape with moderate wear as seen in pictures.  Please review all pictures taken for your consideration and use zoom where needed.  There is some scorched finish on the barrel body and end from test firing as seen in pictures.  This appears to have been fired much more than the other cannons in collection, but it was a Bi-Centennial year, so maybe they took some liberties (pardon the pun).
No wonder they called these guys the Greatest Generation.  This was owned by a former trapper, hunter, all around outdoor's man, 1950's US Army Vet, master carpenter, museum display, tool and set engineer, and yes a retired Vocational Machinist Instructor in Lawrenceburg Indiana who taught the vocational class (for 20 years) in which this was made, along with the 4 others we obtained (see last picture in gallery).   This gentleman (after retiring from teaching) became a display re-creation designer/specialist and building engineer at Indiana's Famous Conner Prairie Living Museum.  The cannons were most likely displayed at the school were he taught when made and perhaps he acquired them in retirement.  This was said to be the best such vocational training shop in the state at the time.  Frankly, when we read the history of the man behind these cannons we were more than a little humbled and yet honored to give them a good home.  We will share more to whoever buys cannons out of respect for the estate.
This cannon was the 1976 Senior Class project.  From what we were able to gather, these were only test fired for effect & probably done to add a lot of fun for the class to see it work and then placed and mounted on the display base for posterity.  What a tribute to teacher and the students.
We did not, nor do we encourage the firing of this cannon.  It was made as noted for a school project, not as an item for use.  We are not sure of alloys of metals or other features effecting its safety in use.  So, please buy item as display piece only.
This cannon and others for sale are special pieces and collector treasures in so many ways.  They beckon to a time when teacher and students still connected with purpose and even gave honor to times gone by.   This is a one of a kind piece and we shall auction them for collector's to decide.  We will not remove them from eBay to sell, so please do not ask if you are not familiar with eBay policies.  If you buy more than one, we may be able to bundle.  If you do buy multiple cannons, wait for an invoice before paying as we will need to a adjust shipping for insurance, weight etc.  We will assist with local pick when possible.  This will be shipped with all accessories seen in pictures.  We will remove from wood mounts to protect item from damage.  The cannons are screw mounted with wood mounts to base, simply loosen mounts with flat head screw driver and reset in base as shown in pictures.
We will ship either FedEx Home or USPS Priority depending on which best fits buyer's needs.
We ship with extreme care!  Of course there is free local pick up and we can meet to assist if you are near Indianapolis or driving through.  We do this often.  We do not require signature confirmation on most items above 0, unless you request it.  Also, we have discounts with FedEx & eBay on shipping which do not always show up in eBay estimates on shipping. We try to refund what we can when there is a notable difference, but we do not know until we actually process the shipping order.
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