I want a cannon - Page 1

Posted: 12/8/2022 8:37:40 PM EDT

Has anybody here built a cannon. I was looking at 1/2 scale cannons from Dixie gun works. What's involved in a project like that. I found a place that makes artillery wheels and axles for the carriage I can build the rest. From what I understand the cannon is pretty rough from the casting and will need to be finished. Can that be done with out a lathe?
Also if you do have a cannon please post pics

Posted: 12/8/2022 10:52:35 PM EDT

[#1]

Are you planning this?

Attached File

Posted: 12/8/2022 11:00:21 PM EDT

[#2]

A canon in the living room would be a great conversation starter…

Posted: 12/8/2022 11:04:11 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
Are you planning this?

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/334993/just_as_the_founding_fathers_intended_jp-2628830.JPG

View Quote

Well, I'm not opposed to that scenario.

Posted: 12/8/2022 11:05:55 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
A canon in the living room would be a great conversation starter…

View Quote

This and I want to pull it in the local parade with one of our horses. Also it will make the 4th of July even more enjoyable.

Posted: 12/13/2022 11:06:33 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Has anybody here built a cannon. I was looking at 1/2 scale cannons from Dixie gun works. What's involved in a project like that. I found a place that makes artillery wheels and axles for the carriage I can build the rest. From what I understand the cannon is pretty rough from the casting and will need to be finished. Can that be done with out a lathe?
Also if you do have a cannon please post pics

View Quote

Yes, you do want a cannon.
I just recently got a mountain howitzer carraige made by Ben Miller and put a Hern 2/3 scale Parrot tube on it. 2 1/4" smooth bore. (Wrong tube, but I will find a correct one later) The tube was rough, took a grinder with 40 grit discs to it, worked up to 120. Body filler to smooth and painted. I will go back to it to make it smoother. I used an automotive cylinder hone to smooth the bore, then worked the grit up to 600. Got a good polish in there.
I've fired billiard balls with 2 1/4 ounces of 2F black powder. At 50 yards they disinigrate against a 3/8" thick hardened steel silhouette target.
Also fired some shot rounds using clay sling shot ammo at multiple targets lined up. It had quite a spread.
I haven't fired any zinc balls yet. Lots to explore.

About the same flash as my 7.5" 7.62x39 AR!

Posted: 12/14/2022 1:28:40 AM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yes, you do want a cannon.
I just recently got a mountain howitzer carraige made by Ben Miller and put a Hern 2/3 scale Parrot tube on it. 2 1/4" smooth bore. (Wrong tube, but I will find a correct one later) The tube was rough, took a grinder with 40 grit discs to it, worked up to 120. Body filler to smooth and painted. I will go back to it to make it smoother. I used an automotive cylinder hone to smooth the bore, then worked the grit up to 600. Got a good polish in there.
I've fired billiard balls with 2 1/4 ounces of 2F black powder. At 50 yards they disinigrate against a 3/8" thick hardened steel silhouette target.
Also fired some shot rounds using clay sling shot ammo at multiple targets lined up. It had quite a spread.
I haven't fired any zinc balls yet. Lots to explore.

https://i.postimg.cc/3wS3GK70/1017221606.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/3xwyM806/1027221219.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/Lsb8FjFg/IMG_1216.jpg
About the same flash as my 7.5" 7.62x39 AR!

View Quote

That's exactly what I want! That thing is beautiful if you don't mind me asking what was the cost to build the carriage? You can PM me if you want. I was hoping finishing of the the actual cannon was done by hand I have the tools and can do that. I would love any more information you could give me about building the carriage and obtaining the metal parts of the carriage.
Thank you for posting.

Posted: 12/14/2022 1:31:17 AM EDT

[#7]

@gurn-blanston

I forgot to @ you in my previous post

Posted: 12/14/2022 9:29:40 AM EDT

[#8]

@RockRash, I sent a message with some info. https://www.millercannons.net
is who built my carraige. Steen Cannons, Trailrock Ordnance, Hanson Wheel, all make cannon stuff.

This is the correct barrel/ tube for the small carraige:
https://hernironworks.com/product/mountain-howitzer-full-scale-3-bore/

A link to order the plans and measurements.
https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/page/product/product_id/526/category_id/543/category_chain/540,543/product_name/BK1570+12+Pdr.+Mountain+Howitzer+and+Pack+Carriage+Manual

For those that are getting the vapors, black powder muzzle loading cannons are legal and are not "destructive devices" federally. Not sure about different State rules, but in TN it's okay to use for rabbits and such.

Posted: 12/14/2022 11:29:57 AM EDT

[#9]

If you want to pull it in parades might be a good idea to have conveyer belt cut/glued to fit your steel rims, It will save wear on your steel rims.

Posted: 12/14/2022 11:39:34 AM EDT

[#10]

Cannons are a lot of fun. I have a little golfball cannon with about 18" barrel, and I have a 2/3 scale field cannon I got from Dixie Gun Works (excellent source)
Dixie Gun Works cannons
There is a LOT of good cannon info and advice on this forum:
Graybeard cannon forum

Posted: 12/14/2022 11:52:17 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
A canon in the living room would be a great conversation starter…

View Quote

i have a traditions 50cal cannon on my coffee table

Posted: 12/15/2022 12:29:42 AM EDT

[#12]

I've been casually cannon shopping for a year or two. They are just big enough and just expensive enough I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

I haven't been able to settle on a bore size and whether I want a full size cannon or if I'd be willing to settle on a scale model.

Posted: 12/18/2022 2:25:27 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've been casually cannon shopping for a year or two. They are just big enough and just expensive enough I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

I haven't been able to settle on a bore size and whether I want a full size cannon or if I'd be willing to settle on a scale model.

View Quote

Get both.

Posted: 2/14/2023 2:19:25 PM EDT

[#14]

Yeah that's when I am, been looking for a few years.

Decide I need a full size cannon that can fire.

One day I will get one.

Posted: 2/16/2023 12:08:02 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Yeah that's when I am, been looking for a few years.

Decide I need a full size cannon that can fire.

One day I will get one.

View Quote

I've decided I need a full size or I won't be happy. We have draft horses so I need something big I can pull with them around town. The more research I do it's looking to be around 10 to 12k to get the cannon, carriage and timber.

Posted: 2/16/2023 12:13:35 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

I've decided I need a full size or I won't be happy. We have draft horses so I need something big I can pull with them around town. The more research I do it's looking to be around 10 to 12k to get the cannon, carriage and timber.

View Quote

I too have settled on a full size cannon. I'm looking at building or buying an 1841 mountain howitzer on a pack carriage.

For costs I can buy a tube for as little as about $2000 from Hern, and I can get it with a smaller bore which makes projectiles cheaper. On the higher end Trail Rock Ordnance sells an iron tube that is bronze plated for $5000. I don't want to know what a full bronze cannon costs.

For the carriage I can buy a pack carriage from Trail Rock for $6500 or I can get the iron parts for about $2000 and the wheels and axle for about $800. That leaves wood and paint, but I think all in I can build a carriage myself for under $4500. Its just a matter of whether I have the woodworking skills to do it.

Posted: 3/1/2023 4:31:15 PM EDT

[#17]

I bought a half scale 1841 6 pounder barrel from Hern Ironworks up in Idaho and a set of 36" cannon wheels from Hansen wheel if I remember right. I built everything else. I had to drill the touch hole and put a liner in it and machine the trunnions round. I cut the trunnions in a mill using a boring head and a boring bar facing inwards in reverse and used a homemade fixture to keep concentricity to the other side. It'll put a golf ball through a car. Here's a few pics.

Eta, It fits nicely in the back of a Ford Ranger and keeps the tailgaters at bay lol