new model naval cannon

[gnoahhh]

I just finished building this model cannon. Barrel: turned from 1 5/8" bronze shaft, 11" long, .625" bore. I proof tested it with 90gr. Goex FFg and two lead .610 balls, 3 of those shots- all well, no expansion/bulging of barrel whatsoever. After passing "proof" I went ahead and made the carriage- out of wenge and ash, quoin is of teak. Total weight around 9 pounds. Turning/boring the barrel was fun. The trunnions and trunnion caps not as much fun. I drilled 1/8" deep holes for the trunnions leaving sufficient meat between them and the bore, then added the brass trunnion collars for extra strength, and then used high temp solder to bond everything. (I honestly was a little leery about annealing the tube with all that heat, hence the heavy proof loads.)

The bronze came out of my Grand dad's shop when he died 40 years ago. It took me this long to get around to using it, although I threatened to countless times!

The gun is more of a concept piece than a model of any particular original cannon.

I plan to live fire with 20-25 grains FFg/.610 ball. Blanks of 50-60 grains. Plan is to fire upon floating buoy targets off my buddy's pier on the Chesapeake Bay come July 4th.

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr174/gnoahhh/100_0121_zps805e9127.jpg (http://s481.photobucket.com/user/gnoahhh/media/100_0121_zps805e9127.jpg.html)

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr174/gnoahhh/100_0114_zps04f727d8.jpg (http://s481.photobucket.com/user/gnoahhh/media/100_0114_zps04f727d8.jpg.html)

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr174/gnoahhh/100_0113_zps26123f7c.jpg (http://s481.photobucket.com/user/gnoahhh/media/100_0113_zps26123f7c.jpg.html)

[jmort]

That is beautiful. I wish had had the skill to make one. Thanks for the pictures. Should be fun on the 4th. Would like to see you shoot it over a chronograph. Curious about the "performance."

[gnoahhh]

Yeah, I thought of setting up my Chrony but frankly I would probably manage to shoot it with this thing!

[jmort]

I would have the same reservation. Once you get your "sea-legs" with some practice, it might be worth the risk. Regardless, it sure do look nice.

[Love Life]

That is simply beautiful!

[Fly]

Bud I,m a retired tool & die maker.I can only say you did one fine job & I commend
the workman ship you put in to this project.
Fly

[W.R.Buchanan]

Very cool. You've got to love Cannons,, Doesn't matter how big they are, and that one looks just beautiful.

I'm sure it has a prominent place in the house, almost too pretty to shoot, but,,, it must be fired!

We have a bunch of guys in our club who have fabricated Small Cannons and Mortars that shoot beer cans filled with cement. We have one guy who made a Mortar that shoots Bowling Balls! It is very impressive with 3 oz of BP and a 14 lb ball.

We have a "Cannon Shoot" two or three times a year at the range. Next one is in September on Labor day. Kind of a long drive for you but you're officially invited!

Randy

[BrassMagnet]

Incredibly beautiful work!

[FLHTC]

I built one of those in high school. My steel barrel was 18" long and it shot a 58 caliber Mini. Actually is was a project of the regular school curriculum. Several were built by students over the years. Ours was called a Naval truck Gun. The carriage and wheels were made of oak and the trunions were brass. Those trunion bearings were hard to make on the shaper.
Cool gun and very nice work

[gnoahhh]

Thanks fellas.

I made a little coehorn mortar out of the cutoff from the barrel, too.

[johnson1942]

when you do work like that it is very satisfiying to the bone. if you run it through a chronograph you will be surprised at the power of it. its a real gun with real power.

[MrWolf]

Wow that is some impressive work. Must feel great when you make something like that and get to fire it!

[smoked turkey]

Very Very nice. I would love to see a video of one of your shooting sessions with the cannon. It may not be patterned after any particular cannon, but I must say it looks very Cannon!

[ghh3rd]

You made a weapon in High School?! You must be pretty old :-)

[country gent]

Some of our "elective projects" in High School wood shop were a cross bow ( kit was 50-60 dollars included trigger bow cable and rails) , If you were also in metal shop a small cannon or sheath knife, I believe there was one recurve bow made. I also saw several rifle and shotgun stocks refinished in class. It wasnt a big deal back then. That is a beautifull job and the Grand fathers piece of bronze is very appropriate. I saw alot of cannon barrels turned up in the tool room at work. But never got to see them finished. I turned and polished a few for guys at times. But then I made a Polished brass scew for a retiring manager.

[gnoahhh]

I didn't take shop class in high school, but I shot on the school's rifle team. Nobody gave me a second look when I transported my Winshester 52A back and forth on the school bus.

[ghh3rd]

I really like the fact that you used some of your grandfathers old bronze to craft this beautiful cannon. It kind of turned his leftover material into an instant heirloom.

[DR Owl Creek]

That's a real beauty! You are a true craftsman.

Dave