OT miniature cannons

unspellable · 05-02-2003, 04:24 PM

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

Doug G. · 05-02-2003, 04:40 PM

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" />

Navy · 05-03-2003, 12:02 AM

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

Doug G. · 05-03-2003, 07:53 AM

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.

lugerholsterrepair · 05-03-2003, 01:59 PM

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

Dwight Gruber · 05-03-2003, 03:01 PM

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

lugerholsterrepair · 05-03-2003, 07:07 PM

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

Navy · 05-03-2003, 08:20 PM

Darwinism is alive and well!
Tom A.

Edward Tinker · 05-03-2003, 09:51 PM

Tom, a "problem" with that.

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

unspellable · 05-06-2003, 01:08 PM

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.

Jim Keenan · 05-18-2003, 09:07 PM

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

Franz · 05-18-2003, 09:49 PM

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

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

Doug G. · 05-18-2003, 11:25 PM

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.

Franz · 05-19-2003, 01:04 AM

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

05-02-2003, 04:24 PM	#1
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	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

05-02-2003, 04:40 PM	#2
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	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" /> __________________ Suppose you were an idiot.....and suppose you were a member of Congress.....But I repeat myself" ~~ Mark Twain

05-03-2003, 07:53 AM	#4
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	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. __________________ Suppose you were an idiot.....and suppose you were a member of Congress.....But I repeat myself" ~~ Mark Twain

05-03-2003, 01:59 PM	#5
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,922 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	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 __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

05-03-2003, 07:07 PM	#7
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,922 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	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 __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

05-03-2003, 12:02 AM	#3
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	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

05-03-2003, 03:01 PM	#6
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,899 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,307 Times in 429 Posts	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

05-03-2003, 08:20 PM	#8
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Darwinism is alive and well! Tom A.

05-03-2003, 09:51 PM	#9
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,928 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	Tom, a "problem" with that. Nature tried to do its job, but the natural selection from years past must have helped him... __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

05-06-2003, 01:08 PM	#10
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	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.

05-18-2003, 09:07 PM	#11
Jim Keenan User Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 184 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	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

05-18-2003, 09:49 PM	#12
Franz User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ellwood City, PA. Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here is a site I found. Gotta be awesome to fire one of those babies! http://www.cannon-mania.com/bigbang.htm

05-18-2003, 11:25 PM	#13
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	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. __________________ Suppose you were an idiot.....and suppose you were a member of Congress.....But I repeat myself" ~~ Mark Twain

05-19-2003, 01:04 AM	#14
Franz User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ellwood City, PA. Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	oops...I meant: http://www.cannon-mania.com