Royal Navy Wooden Gun Tompion

A genuine ex Royal Navy tompion that carries in relief a Naval Crown (Latin: corona navalis) which features a gold crown surmounted with small replicas of the prows of ships. The design originated as a Roman military award, given to the first man who boarded an enemy ship during a naval engagement. In heraldry a naval crown is mounted atop the shields of coats of arms of the naval vessels and other units belonging to some navies. Tompions in the Royal Navy are made from either wood, metal, canvas, rubber, or plastic and designed to cover and prevent water or debris entering the gun barrel. Many Naval tampions have been developed into works of art but this is a more modest example, probably made up onboard the ship. It measures 4" diameter so would have been fitted to a 4" gun (10.5 cm).Made from hardwood and hand painted, it shows some signs of service use, but it remains in good original condition. A small but decorative piece of genuine Navy memorabilia and the ideal stocking filler for the upcoming festive season.