anybody know anything about civil war cannons??

[alxone]

im going to look at a working repo six pound gun with carriage later today and hoping that someone here knows something about them . my limited knowledge stops at 1900 and im kind of interested in the thing but im worried about getting burned or getting stuck with a really expensive toy that i cant sell . so the questions are
basic value
does anybody think there is a market for such a thing
thanks for your input
-alxone

[Bailey Guns]

Yes. I know the South should've had more. We probably could've avoided a whole lot of the problems we're facing today.

Aside from that...I really can't add anything of value.

[alxone]

Yes. I know the South should've had more. We probably could've avoided a whole lot of the problems we're facing today.
i couldn't agree more [Beer]

[Great-Kazoo]

Looks like from the links especially the 3rd one. They are mostly decoration cannons, Unless involved as a reenactor. That puts the cannon in to the outside of the cool factor, why did i buy it category.

http://civilwartalk.com/

http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/archive/index.php?api=1

An older but interesting read from a cannon forum
http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-3759.html

[HoneyBadger]

How about CrufflerSteve? Doesn't he have a 4lb civil war era cannon?

[alxone]

They are mostly decoration cannons, Unless involved as a reenactor. That puts the cannon in to the outside of the cool factor, why did i buy it category.
kinda what im thinking
im still trying to find any link to someone firing projectiles and not just blanks

[brokenscout]

To far west for that market,unless you put a rail and ACOG on it.[Coffee]

[alxone]

To far west for that market,unless you put a rail and ACOG on it.[Coffee]if i get it ill put rails on it just for you [ROFL1]

[brokenscout]

if i get it ill put rails on it just for you [ROFL1]
I hate tactifucked stuff:)

[BlasterBob]

Alex, you have a ton of things to consider if you are really interested in buying one.
If it's original, they are QUITE valuable. If it's a repro, who made it - an individual or a recognized cannon tube fabricator? What material is the tube made of and the weight ? Is it vented for fuse firing or is it equipped with a "slap hammer"? What condition is the bore in? Weight and length of the tube and actual bore size. Is the carriage wood or metal.
If equipped with wheels, what are they made of and their size? Actual age of the tube and carriage? Has the current owner been firing it and if so, what were the projectiles made of and their shape/weight? If it has been fired, what charges has it been subject to and what type black powder has it been firing (FG,FFG,FFFG,FFFG)? There are more things to consider but these are some that I could quickly think of.
As far as a market for such a gun, there IS a market for such things around here but it will take patience depending on your asking price. Many many guys have great interest in these but damn few have the resources to buy one unless it is really priced rather low. You have my phone number and are welcome to give me a call and we can talk about your potential buy.
Sorry for the length of this post!!

[brokenscout]

Bob used to be on a cannon crew in 1864, he is the one to talk to[Coffee]

[Ah Pook]

Is this for the rodent problem in the KS house, Alex? [Coffee]

[BlasterBob]

Bob used to be on a cannon crew in 1864, he is the one to talk to[Coffee]

Now wait just a dang minute BS. I was not born until 6 years after that date. [Tooth]

[CrufflerSteve]

I've PM'd. I have a repro 2.25" Bronze Mountain Rifle and have live fired it. Unless the barrel is machined out of solid steel it will have a liner and that is the chief issue. Done badly and you have a pipe bomb.

There's a very active forum for cannon at Graybeard Outdoors:http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php/board,88.0.html

Steve

[alxone]

what i do know is its a hern 1841 3 1/2 six pounder with paulson brothers carriage (not sure what number it is prob #3 )

[CrufflerSteve]

Hern arouses some serious mixed feelings in the cannon community. I could be wrong but I believe their liners to seamless, which is good but I believe they do not have the welded breech plug discussed in this document:
http://www.acwsa.org/ACWSA_Misc_Files/ACWSA_Artillery_Rules.pdf

This opens the way to corrosion and erosion in the base of the breech. If it is going to be rarely fired it isn't a problem but if it is inadequately cleaned it can be a big bad problem over time.

There is a rather discreet recognition of this in the blank firing rules for a couple of artillery groups. The usual rule for a blank load is 2 ounces per inch of bore diameter. It suddenly drops for 2 1/2". My bore is that size so I was concerned. I wrote to the people who wrote the rules and they sort of admitted it was because of Hern which uses this diameter but they didn't want to be quoted.

OTOH, if you want to drop serious $'s I could get you a real period correct cannon, complete with molds and all sorts of stuff. A cannon is cool but it really makes me understand the saying, "It's a fine line between a hobby & insanity." I have some serious WTF moments when I see the cannon in the barn every morning but when it is firing time all is well.

Steve

[BlasterBob]

Once you get a black powder cannon/mortar, the ownership suddenly becomes very addictive - kinda like getting a tattoo. REALLY!
If one is sought for the purpose of firing with either ball or blank, the owner should have a reliable source for a supply of the proper grade of BLACK POWDER and fuse.[Beer]
Alex, if you do wind up getting this cannon, I still have some required supplies that you may be rather interested in. Let me know.

[BlasterBob]

Wellllllll, did you get that BP cannon Alex???????