We are offering a fantastic swivel-mounted harpoon gun matching the dimensions of the earliest Greener guns introduced in 1837, and used for decades beyond as the first truly successful whaling firearms. Such instruments revolutionized the whaling industry at a time when whale ships were sailing farther and longer in search of their targets. These guns saw much use by American and British whalers in the Arctic and Pacific oceans, where the last great herds of grey, sperm and right whales were hunted.
This particular gun, No. 5 of Peterhead, Scotland is one of the earlier swivel whaling harpoons of the Greener style. Original inlaid brass whales on both sides of the stock add to its attraction, as well as the solid brass sight rail with the inscribed marks "Peterhead No. 5", now partially indiscernible. A brass shroud covers the large single percussion hammer that strikes double cap posts, accenting the heavy iron barrel. The artifact is complete with a rare, double-flanged split-shaft iron harpoon with a ring grommet. The harpoon head is sharply barbed with the intent to keep the massive dart imbedded in its prey. It is further completed with its original iron yoke.
The harpoon gun would be mounted to the bow of a working whale boat, and a rope line attached to the metal sliding ring set in the split-shank harpoon, and the rope would be tied to the craft at the other end. The gun made catches possible which had escaped the whalemen of earlier ages, with its range of up to 84 yards, and capable of firing over the obstacle of solid ice in the Arctic. Large grain gunpowder would be used for the percussion cap weapon to ensure a slower, steady burn, giving a smoother flight for the harpoon, especially in calm lagoons and shallows. A significant historic artifact instrument from the heart and height of 19th Century whaling.
