OT miniature cannons
 

Anybody know where I can get a miniature cannon without paying too much?

I'm looking for one that will actually fire a ball. Anything from .310 upwards.

I'd prefer a British Naval type but would consider any type.

unspellable

Look at a company called FAC (Federal Arms Corp.) I ordered a few from them, they are made by CVA and run about $150, but fire patched .50 round ball. My Naval cannon will easily send a ball 200+ yards. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

OK Guys, I gotta ask,
What does one attempt to hit with such a piece? I can understand a salute gun (I own one) but I am confounded by trying to intuit why one would shoot .5 ball in an essentially un-aimed piece.
Pls guys, enlighten me. I love to have a rational argument as to why I want things that go "BOOM"
Tom A

Actually Tom you can aim the piece. Rather crude, but just look over the top of the cannon. Doing it this way I can keep five balls on a 3'x3' paper @ 50 yards. Not great, but you must re aim after every shot. All in all fun to shoot.

Interesting story...A friend of mine acquired a brass cannon. About 18" long and will take a one and a half inch ball. I watched him shoot it a few times with a wood ball. He wanted to go with a lead ball and I didn't think it was safe. Last time he shot it, he was aiming along the barrel when the end plug came out the back, about the size of a small hockey puck. Went thru his groin and was bulging out the cheek of his butt.He is a big man and it didn't even knock him down. He's alright now but I don't think he is anxious to fire anymore brass cannons. Jerry Burney

A 1 1/2 inch bore, 18 inchs long, sounds pretty out-of-scale to me, and I'm surprised that any cannon with a breech plug would even be -recommended- for firing. There's a reason that they single-cast those suckers!

--Dwight

Dwight, It might have been 24 inches, I forget, I believe it was a decorative piece and this idiot bored a touch hole into it. I stayed away from the sucker since I knew it wasn't a safe piece of ordanance.The plug was threded in and that puppy blew right out! I was surprised it didn't kill the guy. Jerry Burney

Darwinism is alive and well!
Tom A.

Tom, a "problem" with that.

Nature tried to do its job, but the natural selection from years past must have helped him...

:D

P.08, can you give me some more info? I checked the FAC and CVA websites and did not find anything on miniature cannons at all.

As for blowing things up, brass and bronze were the material of choice at one time, only in the 19th century did iron and steel come into widespread use. But in any case, it has to be done right. I think the very simplicity of a cannon barrel leads to people trying it with home brewed and ornamental stuff. Just because its metal doesnt mean it's the right alloy, the right heat treatment, or free of flaws.

If you want a good one, I know where there is a very nice 20 pounder Parrott, Serial No. 1. I figure if we get a truck, and sneak into the square in Hanover, PA, some night...

Oh, you said miniature. ;&gt;)

Jim

Here is a site I found.
Gotta be awesome to fire one of those babies!

http://www.cannon-mania.com/bigbang.htm

Sorry, I just now read you post that you could not find the cannon. Follow this link, TRADITIONS CANNONS

I have the naval gun, I had a field piece but sold it (too light). You use Pyrodex pistol powder and will find that you must load it a bit hotter to make it sound right. Good luck. If you have any other questions send me a private message.

oops...I meant:
http://www.cannon-mania.com