Lyle gun relic

[hink441]

Recently acquired this old Lyle line throwing cannon. This one is rough and spent some time in the elements for sure. 
 

I haven’t seen one quite like this one and thought it could be a fake. It didn’t have any marks and the carriage was exactly like the Coston made examples but this one didn’t have the re-enforced ribs. 
 

I decided to remove the active rust and I got lucky and found the serial number and inspection marks on the muzzle. I cleaned deeper and also found the manufacturer stamps. Made by Coston Co. NY. 
 

The serial number is 2009 and is the earliest Coston gun I have seen. That’s why, I believe, there are no re-enforced ribs on the carriage. 
 

Here are some pics. Before and after. 
 

 

[hink441]

After painting. 

[hink441]

Close up of the barrel markings. Serial no. 2009 on the top. Inspected by “EK” of the “USI” which was the United States Steamboat inspection Service. Pre 1932. 
 

 

 

[BILL THE PATCH]

Very cool, never saw one before 

[GWS]

Very cool, I've never seen one either. What  or where was this gun used, ships, coastal ?  I bet it weighs a ton (or more)! Nice refinish job,looks great! Thanks for sharing.

 

  Steve

[hink441]

Thanks, this was a line throwing gun used to rescue sailors from ship wrecks close to shore . It was originally used with the US Life Saving Service (USLSS). The USLSS eventually became the Coast Guard in 1915. 
 

It weighs around 180 lbs. 

[hink441]

Here is a short video showing the Lyle gun. 
 

 

[River Rat 1]

Nice. They have it so easy today. On my ship when on a ammo ship the gunner mates used a M-14 rifle and a rubber bullet attached to nylon shot line. Done in less time.

[Salvage Sailor]

We used a monkey fist attached to a heaving line, thrown by a Bo'sun with Popeye arms...

 

 

'Heaving Line" - by Arthur Briscoe

 

[hink441]

I was recently able to acquire two projectiles for the Lyle gun. Pretty hard to find. 
 

 

[River Rat 1]

On 8/5/2024 at 4:25 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

We used a monkey fist attached to a heaving line, thrown by a Bo'sun with Popeye arms...

 

 

'Heaving Line" - by Arthur Briscoe

 

When on the USS Proteus AS-19 we would throw lines to the submarines coming along side being our ship was a sub tender. I was throwing a heaving line that monkey fist at the end has a chunk of lead in it I accidently hit an officer once in the head with it lucky for him he had a safety helmet on.

[easterneagle87]

Nice little piece of history Chris! Nice restoration!

[blitz67]

I was a heaving line man too, number two line, I broke a car window in Yokosuka when we were pulling in to port, only thing said was “well, I guess they shouldn’t have parked there” 

[268th C.A.]

Lol blitz67