19th Century Bronze Salute Gun by William Parker

.80 Caliber. 18.25" barrel length. SN: NSN. (Mfg. ca 1840) Cast bronze salute gun set in a non-wheeled wood mount with wedge retained trunnion bearings. Breech is engraved with a maker mark reading W PARKER MAKER TO HIS MAJESTY HOLBORN LONDON, a maker commonly encountered on mid 19th Century salute guns. London proof marks below breech include the London {Crown/V} and {Crown/GP}. Breech is further engraved with a {Rampant Wolf} above the stylized initials TMWMT with the latter two letters mirrored, and enclosing a {Shield with a hand}, possibly representing the seal of Ulster. Mount appears to be a replacement for the original wheeled model, and is composed of Walnut, with no manufacturer markings, and a mounting port below the point of balance.

William Parker's armsmaking career spanned nearly five decades from 1793 to 1841 with most of those years spent at his High Holborn address in London. Over the course of his career, Parker satisfied contracts for the British government, the East India Company, and even supplied arms to the Hudson's Bay Company and the London Police. Additionally, Parker experimented with the cutting edge breechloading small arms, and described his patents in period advertisements. From 1841, he was succeeded by Parker, Field & Sons. This salute gun was most likely produced during the latter years of his gunmaking business.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.