Trying to identify this ship. Long story, but I'll keep it as short as I can for now:

1. Maker: Chester Herbert Bradford (1843-1926) made model in 1915.  My family got it at an auction at the Odd Fellows Hall, Duxbury MA. in 1975.  Per inscription, it was made from a setee that had been in the "old hall" for the Odd Fellows in Duxbury.  He was born in Duxbury and is buried there.

2. C.H. Bradford was known as "Capt." In his later years and was a butcher in Brockton MA later in life until retirement.  He was a model for an artist, and appears on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post in 1924. ( there is no evidence he ever sat for Norman Rockwell, but he closely resembles the man in his famous painting)  The Norman Rockwell museum has no record of him in their archives.

3. CH Bradford was a sailor in his youth, and a directory for San Francisco shows him living their in 1868 at age 25.  

Assumptions:

1. This is a ship he served on or was skipper for. Otherwise, why make the model?

2. Others think she looks similar to the Galilee that sailed out of San Francisco (built 1891) but the rig is wrong.  Galilee had no gaff rig on her rear mast.  She doesn't look like any East coast ship... but that is not definitive

Next Steps:  I'm continuing to research the man but need leads regarding the ship.

Given the nature of the merchant sailing industry in the 19th century, it is unlikely a crew list or record of ships he sailed on exists.  If the ship can be identified... there is a chance

Goal: to restore the model to its original condition. (The white house paint was slapped on it after construction. The original paint is visible in the gap between the sails.

Why the research?  I don't want to touch the model until the provenance can be fully run down.

By the way...that Norman Rockwell painting, the model is unknown because his back is turned.  The boy on the 1924 cover was his grandson... and there is a boy in the Rockwell painting, too.  A conundrum for sure!

Anyway, thanks for reading this far!

Any thoughts or guidance is greatly appreciated. I can also be reached at gus.c.enzie@gmail.com if you wish to correspond with me.

Half Model Ship Identity?