Temple Toggle Harpoon from the CHARLES W. MORGAN

harpoon

WHALING GEAR - HARPOONS
after 1841; before 1925
wood; metal, iron; hemp
overall: 66 1/2 x 3 x 2 1/2 in.

Temple toggle iron harpoon with 'CWM' engraved on it, indicating it came from the CHARLES W. MORGAN. Once belonged to marine artist, Duncan Gleason, who possibly acquired it on one of his trips east in the 1920s when he painted the CHARLES W. MORGAN. Harpoon made from a 6 foot long tree limb, bark intact, with iron shank and temple toggle dart; 1 inch diameter hemp [?] rope tied to the socket piece and middle of the harpoon. Four notches visible just below the socket piece on the harpoon, tag provided with the harpoon (in correspondence file) states the notches indicates it was used to kill four whales; tag reads 'HARPOON / from the whaling bark / CHAS. W. MORGAN / Four Notches indicate / four whales to its credit.' Initials carved into either side of the dart; on one side 'CWM' for the CHARLES W. MORGAN, on the reverse 'AJ' and 'SBB'. Overall good condition; some bark missing on harpoon shaft, rope fraying at ends. Overall: 66 1/2 x 3 x 2 1/2 in.

2023.42