#375 • William Lewis Brass Whaling Gun

Part of The Ray Howser Firearms Collection, 1931-2026 (timed auction by Lewis & Grant Auctions)

Starting at $1,500.00

Status: Available

Live bidding starts Nov 20, 2026 10:00 AM EST

Late 19th-century William Lewis Brass Whaling Shoulder Gun, also referred to as a bomb lance gun. Manufactured in the whaling hub of New Bedford, Massachusetts, this maritime firearm represents the late-era American whaling technology. This breech-loading weapon utilizes a modified, improved version of the famous Cunningham & Cogan 1877 patent by H.W. Chapman. Mechanically superior due to the defining feature of a cast bronze breech paired with a drawn brass barrel. Different than traditional iron shoulder guns that frequently became brittle, rusted, or dangerously ruptured in freezing arctic waters, Lewis's choice of non-ferrous metals ensured absolute durability against harsh saltwater environments. The weapon features an open skeletonized butt stock design, to reduce weight and facilitate rapid, stable handling by a lone whaler standing in a pitching, open whaleboat. A short, thick, smooth-bore barrel was built to launch massive explosive bomb lances at close range. It comes equipped with a small oval trigger guard accented by a structural stiffening rib, a prominent under-mounted trigger, and a top-rear hammer mechanism.