I came across this and want to know more about it. I know it’s a signal canon and have been offered $250 for it but would like to know if I’m leaving money on the table.
Any help would be appreciated.
The Dewey cannon was made at the very end of the gilded age in the late 1890s to commemorate Adm Dewey’s victory at the battle of manilla bay. They were made by Kenton Toy Co. There were less than 10,000 made, so it is rare(ish). It is Worth a bit more than $250.
Brucin,
I just spent an hour and only found one example of a cannon like yours! All of the Kenton toy cannons had a much more elaborate carriage with wheels. Do yourself a favor and don’t sell it until more information can be found! There is one person on the Internet who has a cannon exactly like that and he is also not getting anywhere!
Thanks JohnnyB I saw that one as I have been researching it for a few days now. I listed it on eBay with a $150 starting bid and received the $250 offer within minutes of the listing going live.
I hope you’re right Scorpio about it being worth more than $250 because it received a bid which canceled out the offer. There are already 8 people watching it so I guess I’ll find out what the open market will bring.
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During that period, signal cannons were a bit of a fad, in many cases, they were children’s toys like the cap guns that were basically made like real guns but used primer caps, not the red paper rolls. That cannon uses the same caps to ignite the BP charge.
It is probably not a Kenton, they had an ornate caisson and a bust of Dewey. In the late gilded age, cast iron toys and novelties were ubiquitous, so it is likely made by a lesser known company.
Are there no other markings? Nothing under the base or on the rear of the cannon? There should at least be a forge mark somewhere. Considering the age, it may be hard to find.
No other marks that I could see but I didn’t use a loop so there may be a faint one somewhere.
Winning bid was $361.77 so I’m glad I didn’t take the earlier offer.
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