Introduction
Fireworks weren't the only things booming in central Indiana last weekend. Last Saturday, friends and family gathered at the home of another INGO member, Top Hat 45, to see what this fine looking piece of American history could do.
[Ed. Note: I wish to give photo credit to Mrs. LMW. Nearly all the photos were taken by her. She's the talented one in the family. Thanks go to her for taking the pictures and the post-processing time she spent making them even better.]
The Builder
Fifteen months ago, husband, father, fireman, gunsmith, and INGO member IndyGunWorks started chronicling the building of his own Revolutionary War era cannon. The full thread can be found here:
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...gunsmithing-building-black-powder-cannon.html
To more fully carry out the theme of the day, IGW created a Revolutionary War era outfit to go with the cannon.
The Cannon
See the original build thread for more technical details. Additionally, I hope that IndyGunWorks will post in this thread to answer any questions that are asked. I do know that the bore is 2.25" and the cannon barrel alone weighs 260 pounds.
I met "Virgil" at the cannon shoot. He is a history enthusiast and was wearing period correct clothing from the French and Indian War period. It was his flintlock rifle that is seen in some of the pictures.
IGW created a screw and yoke mechanism to elevate the cannon. I noticed that there were no sights on the cannon. He said that sights weren't developed until after the Revolutionary War.
A functioning cannon is a crew-served device and requires several implements. I learned that you must have a:
-- Wad Screw to pull any debris out of the barrel from firing (Also called a "Worm". Thanks IGW.)
-- Sponge (or Fleece) to swab out the hot embers in the barrel
-- Bucket and water
-- Rammer for pushing in the charge and projectile(s)
-- Priming Iron to prick the charge
-- Linstock to set off the charge
Look Who Showed Up!
It was a surprise and a pleasure to see 42769vette (AA Optics) walk up on Saturday. Like me, he's drawn to anything that goes BOOM!
Like Father, Like Son
IGW's young son has his cannon too!
Every good soldier needs to take a rest now and then.....
How to Fire a Cannon
While watching the firing on Saturday, I believe this was the standard order. I am certainly not the expert on this. I'll trust IGW or others more knowledgeable than me to correct this if needed.
1. Pull out any debris from the previous shot using the wad screw
2. Sponge the bore to extinguish any sparks or embers
3. Charge the bore with powder
4. Add the desired projectile(s) and wadding
5. Prick the powder charge through the vent (touch hole)
6. Add the quill or fuse to the vent
7. Aim the cannon
8. Light the quill/fuse while standing to the side of the wheel
The gentleman on the left has a cloth bag holding the charges. He was called to the cannon for each firing. Otherwise, he kept his distance as a safety precaution.
A black powder charge.
Concrete projectile. Pool balls were also fired.
A Brief Diversion
Virgil did a demonstration firing of his flintlock. It worked perfectly.
Shooting The Cannon
Ear protection or a finger in each ear was certainly in order when that beastie roared!
IGW was using "quills" rather than fuses. The quills gave a nearly instantaneous ignition when he touched it off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSZDpeefuQc
Notice the jet of gas coming from the vent as well as from the muzzle of the cannon.
The cannon produced lots of smoke.
We went downrange to see the damage.
Virgil instructs his grandson in the proper steps to shoot the cannon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV4tshlt0R8
Many of the folks attending on Saturday took a turn on the cannon crew!
How Did the Target Hold Up?
The short answer is: "Not well." The concrete projectiles went through the clothes dryer effortlessly.
This is what a pool ball looks like after being fired from a cannon and hitting a dirt bank. It's just powder.
Why the Sign on the Cannon?
I'd like IndyGunWorks to give the full explanation. I'll give you a hint: "Thomas Paine"
Postscript
During the early part of the day, IndyGunWorks proved that he has a light side. I almost didn't include this picture, but Mrs. LMW encouraged me to keep it in the collection.
Fireworks weren't the only things booming in central Indiana last weekend. Last Saturday, friends and family gathered at the home of another INGO member, Top Hat 45, to see what this fine looking piece of American history could do.
[Ed. Note: I wish to give photo credit to Mrs. LMW. Nearly all the photos were taken by her. She's the talented one in the family. Thanks go to her for taking the pictures and the post-processing time she spent making them even better.]
The Builder
Fifteen months ago, husband, father, fireman, gunsmith, and INGO member IndyGunWorks started chronicling the building of his own Revolutionary War era cannon. The full thread can be found here:
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...gunsmithing-building-black-powder-cannon.html
To more fully carry out the theme of the day, IGW created a Revolutionary War era outfit to go with the cannon.
The Cannon
See the original build thread for more technical details. Additionally, I hope that IndyGunWorks will post in this thread to answer any questions that are asked. I do know that the bore is 2.25" and the cannon barrel alone weighs 260 pounds.
I met "Virgil" at the cannon shoot. He is a history enthusiast and was wearing period correct clothing from the French and Indian War period. It was his flintlock rifle that is seen in some of the pictures.
IGW created a screw and yoke mechanism to elevate the cannon. I noticed that there were no sights on the cannon. He said that sights weren't developed until after the Revolutionary War.
A functioning cannon is a crew-served device and requires several implements. I learned that you must have a:
-- Wad Screw to pull any debris out of the barrel from firing (Also called a "Worm". Thanks IGW.)
-- Sponge (or Fleece) to swab out the hot embers in the barrel
-- Bucket and water
-- Rammer for pushing in the charge and projectile(s)
-- Priming Iron to prick the charge
-- Linstock to set off the charge
Look Who Showed Up!
It was a surprise and a pleasure to see 42769vette (AA Optics) walk up on Saturday. Like me, he's drawn to anything that goes BOOM!
Like Father, Like Son
IGW's young son has his cannon too!
Every good soldier needs to take a rest now and then.....
How to Fire a Cannon
While watching the firing on Saturday, I believe this was the standard order. I am certainly not the expert on this. I'll trust IGW or others more knowledgeable than me to correct this if needed.
1. Pull out any debris from the previous shot using the wad screw
2. Sponge the bore to extinguish any sparks or embers
3. Charge the bore with powder
4. Add the desired projectile(s) and wadding
5. Prick the powder charge through the vent (touch hole)
6. Add the quill or fuse to the vent
7. Aim the cannon
8. Light the quill/fuse while standing to the side of the wheel
The gentleman on the left has a cloth bag holding the charges. He was called to the cannon for each firing. Otherwise, he kept his distance as a safety precaution.
A black powder charge.
Concrete projectile. Pool balls were also fired.
A Brief Diversion
Virgil did a demonstration firing of his flintlock. It worked perfectly.
Shooting The Cannon
Ear protection or a finger in each ear was certainly in order when that beastie roared!
IGW was using "quills" rather than fuses. The quills gave a nearly instantaneous ignition when he touched it off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSZDpeefuQc
Notice the jet of gas coming from the vent as well as from the muzzle of the cannon.
The cannon produced lots of smoke.
We went downrange to see the damage.
Virgil instructs his grandson in the proper steps to shoot the cannon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV4tshlt0R8
Many of the folks attending on Saturday took a turn on the cannon crew!
How Did the Target Hold Up?
The short answer is: "Not well." The concrete projectiles went through the clothes dryer effortlessly.
This is what a pool ball looks like after being fired from a cannon and hitting a dirt bank. It's just powder.
Why the Sign on the Cannon?
I'd like IndyGunWorks to give the full explanation. I'll give you a hint: "Thomas Paine"
Postscript
During the early part of the day, IndyGunWorks proved that he has a light side. I almost didn't include this picture, but Mrs. LMW encouraged me to keep it in the collection.
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