History
The Winchester Model 98 breech-loading signal cannon holds a significant place in the history of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, signaling cannons were commonly used for festive occasions, sailboat races, coastal morning wake-up calls, and alerting others to fog or dangers. These small cannons were designed to fire loud blank charges rather than projectiles, making them effective for signaling and saluting.
Recognizing the demand for high-quality signaling cannons, Winchester Repeating Arms Company entered the market in 1903 with the Model 98. Known for their excellence in firearm manufacturing, Winchester's introduction of the Model 98 set a new standard in the industry, marking an important chapter in both the company's history and the evolution of signal cannons.
In 1898, a new breech-loading signal cannon was developed and designated as the Model 98, reflecting the year work on it commenced. Designed by Charles H. Griffith, an assistant superintendent at Winchester, the cannon was patented in 1901. The U.S. Patent, numbered 681,021, was granted on August 20, 1901, for the 10-gauge breech-loading Winchester Cannon.
Griffith's design prioritized safety, durability, and loudness. The cannon featured a 10-gauge chamber and a tilting breech block, similar to those used in large artillery pieces of the time. This design allowed for easier loading, marking a significant improvement over the traditional muzzle-loading black powder cannons of that era.
The Winchester signal cannon was first offered for sale in March 1903 through Winchester's catalog, priced at $7.00. The catalog described it as "a breech-loading cannon possessing safety, simplicity of construction, and ease of manipulation... satisfactory for the Fourth of July and other celebrations, and for saluting."
Early production Winchester cannons featured blued steel barrels and cast iron undercarriages and wheels, finished with Japan enamel. The barrel was roll-marked or stamped with the text: “Manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. New Haven, Conn. USA Patented August 20, 1901 10 GA.” A prominent safety message, “Not For Ball,” was also displayed on the top of the barrel. Each cannon was shipped in a dovetailed wooden crate.
In 1908, Winchester enhanced the cannon's barrel design by increasing the outside diameter of the muzzle from 1 inch to 1¼ inches. This modification improved the cannon's durability and performance as a signaling device, adding extra weight to reduce recoil. Notably, modern Model 98 cannons are still built to this 1908 specification, highlighting the lasting effectiveness of this design.
In the 1930s, Winchester introduced a chromium-plated version of the Model 98 signal cannon, featuring rubber balloon-style tires. Likely inspired by the Art Deco designs of the era and utilizing the newly available chromium plating process, this model was priced at $35.00, significantly higher than the standard model, which was priced at $18.00. Both the chromium and blued versions remained in production until Winchester ceased manufacturing them in 1958. The wooden crates were also upgraded to a more robust nailed design rather than the original dovetailed style which are still built today in the manner.
In 1955, Winchester made several modifications to their signal cannons. They updated the barrel roll-marking and lettering, and also included a six-digit serial number. Additionally, the rubber tires on the chromium-plated cannons were replaced with Firestone-branded lawnmower-style tires. This version, featuring Firestone tires, was produced for only three years.
For decades, the Winchester breech-loading signal cannon was a popular choice among individual owners, yacht clubs, and institutions requiring reliable signaling equipment. However, as technology advanced and alternative signaling methods emerged, demand for these cannons declined. Winchester discontinued both the black and chrome models in 1958. Over a 55-year production run, excluding interruptions during World War II, just over 18,000 cannons were manufactured. Even after production ended, parts and repair services remained available for several years. A parts catalog dated June 1, 1960, shows that black parts were still offered, along with a refinishing service for the black cannon.
In 1975, the Bellmore Johnson Tool Company obtained trademark licensing rights from Winchester to resume production of the Winchester signal cannon after a 17-year hiatus. The cannons produced by Bellmore Johnson closely resembled those manufactured by Winchester in its later years.
The Bellmore Johnson Tool Company released a new Presentation Model in honor of the United States' Bicentennial. This model featured a brass barrel and undercarriage, rubber-tired wheels, and was presented in a mahogany storage box.
The Bellmore Johnson Company launched the Naval Edition cannon, combining elements of black and brass parts for a distinctive aesthetic.
Bellmore Johnson ceases production of the Winchester Model 98 Signal Cannon.
Dunlap Cannon Co. secures Winchester trademark licensing rights and proudly stands as the exclusive producer of Winchester branded signal cannons. Continuing a tradition that spans over a century, every Winchester Model 98 Cannon is meticulously made and assembled entirely in the United States without reliance on foreign outsourced parts or labor. Raw materials for these cannons are also sourced from a network of American businesses.
More than a century after its inception, the Model 98 Signal Cannon continues to embody the quality that defined the Winchester Repeating Arms Company—an icon of American industry. With a commitment to preserving the Winchester tradition, Dunlap Cannon Co. pledges to maintain the limited production of the Model 98 Signal Cannon, ensuring its timeless legacy endures.
