Antique Naval Swivel Gun

A highly desireable naval swivel gun, mounted on an original forged yoke.
This barrel was dug up in a garden that once belonged to an old observatory, just off the Mersey. The barrel was discovered when metal detecting for a drain cover, and had clearly been buried for a great many years. 
The piece is in a remarkably good contition, having been well preserved in seemingly neutral soil. The most rare part is the mounting on it's original blacksmith's (hand forged) yoke, with few examples of these surviving the test of time.
Pieces such as these were fitted to the sidings of naval vessels, and were used to rake the enermy decks with devestating vollies of grapeshot and langridge, with the ability to be easily moved to different areas of the vessel.
The barrel measures just under 60cm in length, with a clear bore and vent, sporting a raised powder pan.
The 'monkey's tail' tiller is a modern hand forging, using period appropriate techniques, perfectly mirroring a  original. The stand is beautifully made of English oak.
A very rare piece indeed, left over from the golden age of sail.