Antique Winchester Model 1901 Salute Signal 10 Gauge Cannon with Blanks. Designed and first produced in 1898 by Charles H. Griffith, an assistant at the company who prioritized safety, durability, and loudness in his model. Beautifully detailed metalwork, with instructions on firing and provenance. Marked throughout by the Winchester Rifle Company in Connecticut. Ones in this condition are rarely seen on the market any longer. 

Condition: Commensurate with age. We cannot guarantee the working condition of any firearm. 

Size: 17 x 7 x 7 in. 

Signal cannons, also referred to as salute cannons, were used aboard ships and on land to make salutes, to warn of danger, and to attract attention in the case of an emergency. They are generally considered a rare instance of reverse evolution in products, in that the first known examples of small cannons appeared in the 10th Century in China, and by the 15th Century they were common in castles and on flagships of navies around the world, but by then they were much less produced that than larger cannon from which they had “devolved.” These miniatures reached the height of their popularity in the East Indies starting in the 16th Century, where they were mounted on small ships and also considered a form of currency. Competitions to see whose cannons could fire farther, faster, and do the most damage were common, both among official trading ships and pirates. The cannons were generally cast in the style of the period to which they belong, and usually made of iron, even up into the 20th Century. In modern times they can be used to start yacht races, and some are referred to as “personal cannons.” They are now not intended solely for use as weapons, but are heavily collected and admired for their beauty.

Commensurate with age. We cannot guarantee the working condition of any firearm.