It's hard to set a price for an antique cannon, and we have only appraised two in the past. But at the James Julia firearms auction held Oct. 7-9, 2014, cannons rocketed to high prices very near the estimated values set by experts. A 1750 Spanish siege mortar captured in Florida in 1862 from Confederates defending Fernandina Island during the Civil War sold for $97,750. It was sold as scrap metal in 1956 but then was sold again and saved. It took $80,500 to buy a 1681 Dutch Falconette on a carriage. It appears to have the original bronze patina–it was never polished. A bronze Ames Model 1841 six-pounder cannon used in the Civil War brought $63,250.

Other expensive firearms: Model 1906 Krupp 50mm mountain cannon, $70,800; Dahlgren heavy 12-pounder boat howitzer, $92,000; and a rare Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle, $258,750.

At least five cannons did not sell. The logistics of organizing and selling tons of firearms included solving the problem of what to do with leftovers. If you plan to buy a cannon, be sure to consult this auction for prices.

Photo Credit: Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop