[351 WINCHESTER]

I have a brass frame line gun. It was made in Great Britian way back when. The whole thing is made of brass, even the barrel (except for the lockwork which is steel). The barrel has a handle on top to hold it at the correct angle. The barrel is painted naval grey. I got it from an old ship captain when I was a boarding agent for cargo ships. I showed it to an American ship captain and he remembered them. He thought he had some igniter loads on board, but after a search he did not. No one uses these anymore because they are outdated and too expensive. It's like a single bbl. shotgun and the igniter is a blackpowder explosive charge that gets the rocket going which carries the line to another ship or to land or to rescue someone in the water.

I've had that thing for decades and I was wondering how much that thing might be worth. I know every ship back then worth it's salt had some type of line thrower, but I wonder just how many survived. I've seen the new ones. They are disposable and are made of plastic.

[kabier]

Good to hear there are more owners of the famous Schermuly line throwers. I have one to, bought in Ciney, Belgium at the half- annual military Expo down there in April 2008. Looks nice, brass, wooden grip. trigger etc. black painted, the barrel is painted black. There were only 2 of these line throwers there. The other one was priced E 1.500,- [waiting for a rich or desperate collector] (incl. rocket) mine was priced E350,- (no rocket present) still very satisfied, especially because somebody else was also very interested in the item, but i was first!Have it now presented togetter with some ww2 flair guns.
a real eye-catcher.

[Cosmoline]

We need pics!

http://www.kahnfineantiques.com/index.cfm?ImgId=1294

That one is pretty beat up, too.