Antique American Darting Gun Toggle Iron Harpoon, made by Macy for the Bark Sunbeam, circa 1860s

Antique American Darting Gun Toggle Iron Harpoon, made by E.B. and F. Macy, New Bedford, for the Larboard Boat on the Whaling Bark Sunbeam (1856 – 1908), having an improved toggle head with acute barb (standing nearly at a right angle), and an unusual ridged cheek, with the maker’s mark MACY stamped on the right cheek (the mark of E.B. & F. Macy, blacksmiths of New Bedford: 1861-1904), the ship stamp BK SB on the left cheek (for the Bark Sunbeam, and the dot punched boat mark L B (for the Larboard, or Second, or Port-side Stern whale boat); mounted on a round shank slightly kinked from use, ending in the spike end necessary for use with a darting gun, and the loop for splicing on the iron strap. An amazing artifact retaining a tremendous amount of historical documentation.

The harpoon remains in very good condition with a still very sharp cutting edge and deep brown patina and no corrosion. The head is frozen, but in the absence of rust it would very likely free up with a little lubrication if so desired. The tip of the front barb has a small chip off tip. The slight kink to the shank comes from use and is considered by most to be a a good feature.

The Bark SUNBEAM was built in Mattapoisett in 1856 and enjoyed a long career of in the New Bedford whale fishery of 17 voyages to the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Clifford Ashley, famed author of “Ashley’s Book of Knots” and many others, sailed on her in 1904 for six weeks to obtain first-hand experience for a Harper’s Monthly Magazine article on whaling. His book “Sperm Whaling From New Bedford” is comprised of his photographic record of his voyage aboard the SUNBEAM.