Guns International #: 102713962
Seller's Inventory #: 1

Category - Flare Guns - Flare Guns

Category
Flare Guns
Flare Guns

VINTAGE Schermuly Rocket Apparatus Ltd MARINE FLARE GUN

Description:
2007 APPRAISAL by Randy May:

"William Schermuly, seaman, inventor, reformer was born in 1857 of Dutch origin, British born from a family that emigrated from Holland in the mid 1600's.  As a seaman he had little formal education apart from 10 mos. or so on the training ship "Warspite" in 1871, he later served on the Devonshire, Bride Astante, Lochee, Mary Ann Annison, Fairlie, Covona, Greta, Ben Nevis and Daccia.  In 1880 he left the sea and joined the London Fire Brigade, then he became a wire splicer, Dock Policeman, marine cable layer....came up with many simple, small yet successful life saving inventions.  Horrified at the needless loss (1000+pa.) of life on foundering ships within British waters,, resolved to do something about it.  To do this he had to invent the means and reform the thinking that put cost above seamans lives.  Schermuly invented dozens of devices ranging from rockets to attempting to perfect a device that was designed to save drowning victims (a the time basically a bowling ball attached to a rope) and the item you have is a bit of fruition that was seen some time after Schermuly's death in 1929.  Resale value is very hard to judge for replacement and insurance purposes I was able to formulate an opinion as seen below by browsing other similar antiquities and their selling points....congratulations and very best regards, Randy."

Fair market value:  $2000.00
Replacement value:  $3000.00

I have had his gun just for display for many years.  It was meant to attach to a ships rail.  Please contact with any questions and thank you.  It weighs about eight pounds, and is in pretty good shape.  Please see photos.

Please see photo of evaluation.

 

SOLD

Curio/Relic: Yes
Manufacturer: Schermuly
Condition: Good
Metal Condition: Good