Line Cannon

[pete501]

Got this at a retirement sale.

It is a Ship to Ship line throwing cannon. Solid bronze 2-1/2" bore.

Here they are in use on land

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-eDPL-Qcb8

[Winger Ed.]

Way cool.

Measure the bore and you can probably find something that will fit you can shoot with it.
Tennis balls, soda or tomato paste cans with concrete, PVC pipe cap, etc.

If it takes a blank to fire it, you might could make them from 10 or 12 guage shotgun shells.
Or drill a 1/8th inch fuse hole in the breach for about a ounce of Black Powder.

[ofitg]

Saw a Calbraith line-throwing gun on Fleabay, the seller indicated that a 3/4"- 10 TPI bolt would screw into the original hole in the breach. He suggested drilling the fuse hole through the bolt (to avoid altering the antique's original condition).

[pete501]

Yep, 3/4" - 10 bolt hole.

2-1/2" bore so I'll have to go grocery shopping with a ruler.

[Mr_Sheesh]

A 6z can will do;

Can Name Dimensions (inches) Capacity (U.S. fluid ounces)
6Z 2​2⁄16 x 3​1⁄2 6.08

2-1/8" diameter so a sabot, wadding, or a few turns of duct tape may be needed?

IIRC Tomato Paste often comes in those, and some juices & so on drinks.

[dondiego]

It'll shoot golf balls just fine.

[Mr_Sheesh]

Golf balls run a diameter of not less than 1.680 in (42.67 mm), so just make some canister from tin can metal wrapped around wooden bases and use a few brads to lock it on; Maybe load 9 golf balls per canister?

[GregLaROCHE]

I used to shoot tennis balls from one on a tall ship I crewed on. The fuze on the outside of the tennis ball would catch on fire. Once it melted a nice round hole through the Dacron sail of another boat. If you shoot it anywhere the is a risk of fire, it would be a good idea to wrap the ball in aluminum foil.

Have fun with it. I sure did.