Thanks for the info everyone. To be clear - I definitely don't plan to try and fire either one. People who don't know what they're doing really should not play with explosives and the like : )
I could not find any markings on either one. Is there a specific place I should look on the larger one? It's pretty unwieldy, so I was limited to looking at places that were more easily accessible.
Is the vent the hole in the barrel towards the back? I see what you mean about it being too far forward. At least compared to others I've looked at online.
The brass one is definitely cast. (Y'all have good eyes.)
I will probably keep the brass one, but would need to part with the larger one. I can't even imagine where to put it or even how to get it there if I found a place. Some local folks have expressed interest in it. Any idea what a fair price would be?
If you want to sell the larger cannon, and want to know what a "fair" price for it would be, you're going to have to do some research.
I did a google search for "1/2 scale reproduction napoleon cannon" and came up with some interesting results which only proves that your cannon has a pretty good value.
You may want to call the following companies that make and sell reproduction cannons to get an idea of what yours is worth.
--South Bend Replica Artillery-- (574) 514-7571 I see their price for a 1/2 scale Napoleon barrel alone is nearly $1,800. Yours has a carriage so that would add to that value.
--Steen Cannons--(606) 326-1188 In addition to making reproduction cannons, they also sell original and reproduction cannons on consignment, charging 18% for "pre-owned" cannons.
--Hern Iron Works--(208) 765-3115 They sell a 1/2 scale Napoleon cannon barrel alone for $900, the cost of a carriage, as yours has is not given.
--Dixie Gun Works sells a 1/2 scale Napoleon barrel only for $1,150. The review on their barrel as only 1 star due to poor casting with air pockets.
I found 1 cannon like yours that was sold on GunsAmerica.com auction site some time ago (2006), but no price was listed. However, The company that was offering this cannon, Robinson Light Armillary, offered similar cannons with carriage for $2,295 up to $2,995. I don't know why there is such a range in prices or if that company is still in business.
We even had someone come on this forum years ago with a 1/2 scale Napoleon cannon with carriage and all the accouterments he wanted to sell--for $20,000. I don't think he had any luck in selling it at that price.
I have no involvement with any of the above companies, and wish you good luck with whatever you do with the gun.