Bannerman's Island

[GrampaJack]

The science channel is running a series "Mysteries of the Abandoned".  Episode 26 has a section on Bannerman's Island.  Very well done with discussion of Bannerman and his family, the history of the island , and lots of good pictures.  Jack

[OldSouthRelics]

Thank you for the heads up. Bannerman has always been a hero of mine. I was lucky enough to come across some of these buttons in a lot of Canadian military items I purchased. They are original souvenir's from the store that was located on Broadway in New York.

[smart dog]

Hi,
The shotgun below was alleged to be from Bannerman's Island and offered for sale in Bannerman's retail store in New York City. It was a gift to my grandfather who did work for Bannerman during the Depression.  The barrels are Belgian proofed and "Laminated Twist".  My grandfather said Bannerman told him the gun was from England but there are no makers marks or British marks on it.  Regardless, it is a great shotgun in almost mint condition and it is my current pheasant gun until I get my flintlock British fowler built for myself.

dave

[Hungry Horse]

Bannerman’s island arsenal had to be disarmed by a bomb squad after it closed. The buildings were crumbling because the concrete used was poor quality. The quality was poor because it was used to hide smuggled guns going from the U.S. to South America, and Bannerman bought it from the Fed’s after arrests were made.

  Hungry Horse

[smokinbuck]

Smart Dog,
That's a fine looking shotgun. I'd guess it came out of the store in the city  rather than from the island given its condition.
Mark

[smokinbuck]

Jack,
I worked in upstate NY in the 70's and tried like the devil to get on to the island, no luck as it was illegal and the locals wouldn't have any part of it. Do you have a date it will be shown?
Mark

[T*O*F]

I was lucky enough to come across some of these buttons

Are you interested in buttons?  I've got 3 of them stashed somewhere in the shop and as I recall they are from different branches of the service.  I believe they are French.

[OldSouthRelics]

I was lucky enough to come across some of these buttons

Are you interested in buttons?  I've got 3 of them stashed somewhere in the shop and as I recall they are from different branches of the service.  I believe they are French.

Yes sir. I'm interested in anything related to the military. If you'd like to know more about them or are interested in selling them, feel free contact me here or at OldSouthRelics@gmail.com.

Smart Dog that shotgun is quite handsome. Very interesting story about your Grandfather and his employment and gift from Mr. Bannerman. I'd guess it was retailed in the store like everyone else. I believe I have a couple flobert's, Belgium Gallery Guns, that were sold from the catalog and they are of questionable quality but were cheap for Bannerman's customers.

Hungry Horse, I knew he acquired the Island from the Government, but did not know the rest of the story, thank you for sharing.

[GrampaJack]

Mark, we had recorded the series and according to the info it was first aired 4/24/2018.  I just looked and, at least on Dish, it is available on demand. If you search for it look by the episode No. since the title is not Bannerman.  I don't still have the catalog but one of the early Dixie catalogs had a copy of a letter in the back section from Turner Kirkland about his visit to the island.  Was like looking at an old Sears catalog - sharps rifle for 3 bucks etc. Jack  P.S. You coming to Mansfield?

[jaeren]

searched for the episode on the island but didn't find it yet. But looking lead me to this. http://www.hudsonriver.com/bannerman-island
A lot of information.

[GrampaJack]

I went back and checked to make sure I was right.  The title of this episode that shows when I go to it on Dish is "Secrets of the Alien Shrine Kasper Michaels".  It is No. 26. The part on Bannerman's is about half way through the program.  Hope this will help. Jack

[smokinbuck]

Jack,
Good to hear from you. No, I won't make Mansfield but JIm Claggett will be there representing the AOLRC, give him a nod. I picked up a Very Nice 20 ga SXS by Powell out of Cinncinnatti  with 38" tubes.  May try a little trap this summer.
Mark

[ddoyle]

A while ago you could buy a reprint of a 1923(?) Bannerman's catalogue.  When I get my Tardis tuned up I know exactly where I am going shopping.

I think they were published by the same folks that do/did the Annuals or some sort of Book of the Month club. Should be available for a few bucks. Mine came from a dumpster on the banks of the Peace. Thanks Cush.

[Hungry Horse]

Another little tidbit about Bannerman’s Island Arsenal, is that an explosives expert name Val Forget(sp) helped disarm the place. He later founded Navy Arms.

  Hungry Horse

[smart dog]

Hi,
Yes, Val Forgett had quite an adventure sorting through the mass of stuff.  He was hired by Bannerman's to disarm much of the live ordnance stored on the island.  According to one story, there were 2 large artillery shells that bordered the front gate.  When Forgett checked them, he found they were still filled with powder. In the early 20th century Bannerman boasted he could completely outfit a small army at short notice.  I should clarify, my grandfather did work for the company during the Depression but not directly for Francis Bannerman who died well before then.

dave

[Hungry Horse]

Bannerman’s brag about supplying a small army was no idle threat. Some of the obsolete rapid fire weapons including gattling guns, and maxim machine guns, found their way from the island, to the West Virginia coal mines around 1920. The government has always preached that it was the Chicago gangsters use of machine guns, that inspired their being banned, but actually it was the coal mine strike, and subsequent war, that inspired the government to ban automatic weapons.

  Hungry Horse