CANNON TO BE RESTORED --The 4-inch deck gun that once stood guard on a U.S. submarine, will be restored and placed beside the Hamptons' American Legion Post 35 on High Street shortly. Members of the legion gathered to watch the cannon being loaded on a truck to be carried to Mel's Truck Sales, Inc., in North Hampton for refinishing last week. [Atlantic News photo by Miller]

HAMPTON - A 4-inch deck gun once mounted on a naval ship (U.S. submarine) is being sandblasted to a new shine and will be taken to the Hampton American Legion Post 35 home on High Street, Hampton, where it will be proudly displayed once more.

In recent years the gun, has guarded the old trolley car facility (Exeter, Hampton & Amesbury Street Railway Company, 1898-1926), a structure that later became the American Legion Post 35 home. Last week, members of the American Legion Post 35 gathered to watch the cannon be hoisted onto a flatbed before being taken to Mel's Truck Sales, Inc. of North Hampton for the sandblasting.

Cannon stands proudly in front of Legion Hall 69 High Street, Hampton [Atlantic News Cannon Photos by John Hirtle.]

Cannon balls on display in front of Legion Hall (Not ammunition for cannon)

Robert S. Webber, left, commander of American Legion Post 35 in Hampton, points to a hole in the bottom of a cannon which was moved from Exeter Road to in front of the American Legion building on High Street. [Democrat photo — Dorobek]

The veterans will relocate the old cannon to the front of the Legion Hall on High Street.

There was a brief war of words before the Legion was allowed to move the gun, confirmed Robert S. Webber, commander of the local post of the American Legion.

When the Legion members went to move the artillary piece two weeks ago, they were told by company officials that the gun belonged to them.

The building was formerly owned by the American Legion but was sold to a holding company in the 1950s, said Webber.