A fabulous and historic 19th century American Darting Iron used onboard the famous whaling ship "Morning Star".

This is a rare mid 19th century American whaling harpoon. It has a cast steel pivoting Temple-style toggle affixed to a hand-forged iron shaft. Used in combination with the bomb lance of the darting gun. It is marked "M A C" (The mark of Josiah Macy) on the right side of the toggle head forward of the pivot. Back of the pivot is the hand-chiseled mark "B B" indicating is was used aboard the "Bow Boat". On the left side of the toggle head is the hand-chiseled mark "BK M S" indicating the "Bark Morning Star". The overall length is 39" and is in original untouched condition. It even has traces of its' orange 'priming' paint. The whaleship "Morning Star" was 226' in length and was built in Dartmouth, Massachusetts in 1853. New Bedford became its' home port. It's first voyage began on December 16, 1853 to the Pacific Ocean under the command of William cleveland. The ship returned on May 18, 1857 with over 1400 barrels of sperm whale oil. The ship had at least 17 more voyages, the last ending on September 17, 1914. Josiah Macy was born on Nantucket in 1805 and began producing harpoons in the early 1830's. He moved to New Bedford in 1842. He retired in 1860 and his sons took over the business. This harpoon appears to date to the 1850's or early 1860's. This is an opportunity to acquire a museum quality piece.