Early 19th Century American Grommet Iron Iron Harpoon, circa 1830
Early 19th Century American Grommet Iron Iron Harpoon, circa 1830
$1,135.00
Early 19th Century American Grommet Iron Iron Harpoon, circa 1830, retaining its spliced marline grommet.
In stock
Early 19th Century American Grommet Iron Iron Harpoon, circa 1830, having a wide flat 5 – 1/2 inch long head with very slight rise to the rear edge, pivoting on the pierced disc end of the 1/4 inch diameter shank ending in socket with open seam. The harpoon retains its spliced marline grommet.
The harpoon is in good condition with heavily rusted surface throughout and signs of use along the shank; the head freely pivots and there has been no metal loss.
Measures: 26 – 3/8 in Long
The grommet iron is one of the earliest known forms of whaling harpoon, used by the prehistoric Red Paint People of Maine and the Canadian Maritimes (3000 – 1000 BCE), and adopted by the later Thule Culture (after 900 CE). In modern times the wrought iron grommet harpoon was developed in the American Whale Fishery around 1770 or so, and was commonly used in the first half of the 19th Century. It was eclipsed by its derivative toggle iron invented by Lewis Temple in 1848, but continued in use through to the end of the century especially for smaller whales and other fisheries for seal, walrus, swordfish and such. An iconic symbol of American whaling under sail, a grommet iron is clutched in hand by the New Bedford whaleman’s statue.
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