Cannon carriage

[Ironhand54]

We bought this toy at the last Kalamazoo show. It is a golf ball bore. The problem is that I am having trouble finding blueprints for a field carriage. Would like to do something like a grasshopper gun. Does anyone know where I can get instructions to build one?

Ironhand

 

[rcmodel]

Say what now??

That's a golf ball bore size Gattling gun???

It doesn't look that big!!!!

rc

 

[Ironhand54]

Grasshopper gun. Next time them locust come I'm gonna fill her with fine shot and take out the whole durn swarm with one shot.

Ironhand

 

[PokeyOkie]

Check out Dixie Gun Works. They used to have blueprints of different carriages including the grasshopper. The brass parts and the wheels are the most costly but if you're good and have the time, it's worth it.

They also had molds, fuse, and cleaning supplies. Best of luck with your new toy!

Carl

 

[Jim Watson]

The picture is of a Gatling gun.
I know what a Grasshopper gun is, and you ain't showing one.

 

[kBob]

What caliber is that?

Thanks for posting the picture. Could you post more?

-kBob

 

[kBob]

Just did some googling to refresh my memory (last play with a .30-40 Gatling was in 1981)

It looks like you might not be to far off with the wooden carriage used in the US before the iron one came into use by starting out with a 6 pounder carriage like used with the 1842 6 pounders and later 3 inch guns, but leave off the cheeks and replace them with ammo boxes.

Lots of pictures of such set ups on Google images once you wade through the fantasy commando hand held electric mini-guns and faux Gatling Steam Punk fashion accessories.

-kBob

 

[Patocazador]

The picture is of a Gatling gun.

No, the picture is of a GORGEOUS Gatling gun.

 

[desidog]

The taller the tripod, the more moment you're creating at the time of firing. You'll find that you may be able to shoot a golfball off a tripod like that gatling's, but a lead ball or lead shot? The recoil will knock it right over.

The recoil of a .458" 45-70 Gatling's bullet is nothing compared to the recoil of 1.68" projectile. That's 200 grains versus 7000 grains.

I have a golfball sized swivel cannon, and i occasionally shoot 1 11/16" dia. lead balls through it. They weigh 1# each, and i have to bolt the gun down with carriage bolts.

If you're in need of a mount, a wheeled field artillery mount is the way to go...it's a PIA to move a naval carriage over anything but a wooden deck.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Last gun I know of that was called a grasshopper was a man portable 3 pdr gun carried by the British during the American Revolution. Tarleton had a couple at Cowpens.

Contact the National Park System and ask them where within the NPS you can find a Grasshopper. I'm certain I've seen one, but I've been to so many NPS sites that I can't recall where. I doubt if the rangers have time to reverse engineer it but I'm sure they'll let you do it yourself. BTW, I think the 1" Gatlings were intended for the fighting tops of ships and not for field use.

 

[Ironhand54]

Well you can see how computer literate I am. I posted the wrong photo. My apologies to all. Especially RCmodel.

The gun is a 1 ponder cast BP cannon with a steel sleeve. New manufacture but it looks like a rev war gun.

Slinking into my corner now
Ironhand

 

[Ironhand54]

This is the photo I intended to post.

Ironhand

 

[4v50 Gary]

Museum Restoration Services (a series of books) has a book on carriages. I don't have a copy of that particular edition but it may have something on the grasshopper.

 

[kBob]

I believe the canno they use at the Encampment at Colonial Williamsberg is about what you have an mounted on a Grass Hopper.


You might see if they can help you.

I must admit I was wondering about shooting golf balls with a Gatling. They are small targets. I once hit one , in flight no less, with an M-60 GPMG. Talk about your slop shot, "No, I showed you once, you don't need to see it again" remain calm, un affected and walk away in total control. Not again in a million year would I count on that.

Now start another thread and tell us about your Gatling or I will be forced to write more-kBob Tales of Wonder.

-kBob

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I wasn't interested in a golf ball shooting gatling gun but my interest is stirred with a golf ball cannon. Is it of modern manufacture?

 

[Acera]

Check out this site for the carriage parts. I am sure an email telling him what you have will get you what you need. Some of the following links sell carriages also.

http://www.cannonpartsltd.com/

For others, I am surprised that black powder cannons are not more of a topic here. The scaled models I see are either golf ball size, soft drink can (tennis ball) size and some billiard ball sized ones. That makes the ammo acquisition process easy. People even selling bowling ball mortars these days.


http://www.coachesclubcannons.com/Cannons/Golf-Ball-Cannon

http://www.blackpowder-cannons.com/

http://www.usamadecannons.com/

More modern take on a black powder cannon.
http://www.americancannons.com/index.html


Now if on a budget (<$100), but really want to a BP cannon (mortar) to launch a golf ball.
http://www.cannonfuse.com/store/pc/Black-Powder-Golf-Ball-Mortar-p373.htm

One thing to add, don't expect great accuracy out of these things unless you make your own projectiles, or buy solid shot. People who shoot these competitively make/pour their own shot like many of you do for your BP rifles, pistols, etc. Golf balls do not fly well when shot out of these things. Little experience with a true cannon, much more experience with golf balls shot from my AR-15. But just for fun, golf balls are fine.

 

[Ironhand54]

Great sites Acera, thanks.

Ironhand