The Bergen County Historical Society is pleading with members of the public to come forward with information about a 19th century cannon that was stolen four decades ago.

The 1810 cannon known as “Old Bergen” was stolen on May 9, 1980, from the Steuben House in River Edge. It stood watch over the Hackensack River starting in 1942.

Members of the historical society are asking for the cannon to be returned.

“We have some people who are guessing that it was thrown in the river. But it seems unlikely. It was at a minimum of 1,200 pounds. To move something that heavy – it’s not just a kid prank. Somebody deliberately took it,” says Deborah Powell of the Historic New Bridge Landing State Park Commission.

Powell says that it is possible someone has the cannon as a lawn ornament or that maybe a museum accepted it without knowing its background.

“We want it back,” she says.

The cannon was originally purchased by the people of Hackensack, in response to the outbreak of the War of 1812.

Anyone with information on the cannon is asked to contact the Bergen County Historical Society.