Canada's Naval History

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The Navy: A Century in Art

Naval Traditions and Culture

Naval Traditions and Culture

Naval traditions and culture encompass a wide range of activities, events, and objects, often unique to naval service. Some, like the "crossing the line" (meaning, the equator) ceremony, are old and well-established, while others, such as gun shield art, related directly to Second World War experiences. Many reflect companionship, commemoration, recreation, or esprit de corps.

Artifact Record

Model 6-inch Naval Gun

This working model of a 6-inch naval gun, firing .22 calibre ammunition, is an intricate example of the machinist's craft.

Made in 1943, it is a scaled-down example of a type of naval gun used for coastal defence in Atlantic Canada. As with the full-size original, hand wheels traverse the gun from side to side, and elevate and depress the weapon. The gun's breech, where the ammunition is inserted, closes and locks with one movement of a lever. Intricate working models like this were popular pastimes for machinists, and served both as a demonstration of skill and as ornaments or gifts.

Model, Naval Gun, 6-Inch
CWM 19650020-001

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