Cannons

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MagKnightX

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From what I read of the law, and from what others here have said, a cannon (provided it is blackpowder, not a modern shell-gun) is legal to posess without a permit or transfer tax (it's just explosive shot that's bad, and I think even then only if it isn't blackpowder, but I could be wrong). So, the question is, where do I buy one that is usable? I have a hankerin' for a nine-pounder, although mainly just for ceremonial purposes (but some downrange projectile launchin', so a carbide cannon is probably out), and of course only used legally.

Probably one of the main problems is ammunition. I imagine 3.474817" diameter lead balls aren't too common anymore (does it say something about me that I took the time to work that out from using the bore system and the density of lead? Of course, if it's based on iron, the whole thing is screwed up...).
 
I think where ever muzzleloaders are legal, so are muzzleloader cannons.

Breech loaders over 50cal become CLASS 3, because that becomes a destructive device regulated by the 1934 NFA, and I guess also the 1986 so called machine gun ban, because of the restriction on new manufacture, so lots of serial numbers were registered before the deadline.
 
they've had cannon competetions on American Shooter, and I've seen small ones for sale at Cabelas. I have seen, (but don't recall what company), selling Civil War replica cannon and mortars, working, scale or half scale. They weren't cheap at all.....
 
An authentic cannon will cost according to it's rarity and condition. None are cheap. The 1842 six pounder we have cost about $27.000.00 including limber and carriage. It also nearly caused a divorce.
 
Check out www.wildimports.com. They will sell you a new steel-lined bronze-barreled 12pounder(~3" bore) for about $5,000. And he has all the accessories to go with it, including the mold for the cannon-balls. I have a couple of their smaller products and they are slick. Beer-can mortar and a 1 1/2" HMS Victory salute cannon. Gotta find a low cost source for BP. :D :D
 
Cannon Barrel

I've got one that shoots 35mm film cans filled with cement or 1/2 pound semi wadcutters, I'd part with.
1/3 scale 12 pounder main battery on Old Ironsides
75 pound barrel..

Wadcutters will go through a car quite nicely..:)
 
I too....in the past have felt the desire for a cannon.....and with some searching on the "net".....found a company that makes cannons in several calibers. The ones that really got my attention, were "golf ball" caliber.
Which I think would be just great......a lot of scuffed up g-balls to be had for ammo. But reading this post.....I am at a loss for the address for the makers...sorry.....just thought I would let you know...they are out there.somewhere..and the prices were not unreasonable......if I can find the address I will post..good luck

try www.cannon-mania.com
 
I have a mortar that shoots V-8 juice cans.
It will fling them a couple hundred yards..

Had a friend that built one that fired bowling balls.. He couldn't afford the ammunition!!
 
You would have to have some sort of drive band or studs on the projectile that would expand to fit the grooves in order to impart a spin to the projectile. Might be expensive to make.
 
Iggy - what are your beer cans filled with? Secondly, what powder and what charge for what distance? I have a brass beer can mortar but haven't played with it enough to develop a firing table. I'm ready for 30 seconds of (Civil War era) trench warfare.;)
 
Mine is a South Bend Replicas Cohorn..

It shoots V-8 juice cans filled with cement.. Not Beer cans.

I stick a piece of wire in the wet cement and I can tie a strip of plastic ribbon to each round so folks can see them go and I can find them for reuse.
It also stabilizes the projectile and keeps it from tumbling.. Just like the tail on a kite.

It has a firing chamber at the base, thus heavy charges are not required.

I use Cannon powder.. 80to 100 grains will fling a can 150 yards easily.


It has an elevation screw so you lob them in the trenches with little problem.:cool:
 
It shoots V-8 juice cans filled with cement.. Not Beer cans.
Click to expand...
But that means you have to drink V-8, doesn't it? :uhoh: Blechhh. Would golfballs work instead? Actually, even if they do, I'd rather find one in beer-can caliber. :D
 
Any excuse to drink another beer!!!

Would you believe the cost of cement is prohibitive??


Nah, I wouldn't buy that either!!!;)
 
Speaking of V-8 cans, as young deputies our rangemaster had this grenade launcher attachment for shotguns and he would load blank black powder shells for it. He instructed each of us to buy two V-8 cans and nothing other than V-8. He explained that other cans were not dimensionally correct for the launcher. So, the next day we all showed up with two empty V-8 cans which we filled with water. We were launching them at about 100 yards distance at a bush. Thank you Uncle Al and Uncle George. :D
 
BTW, South Bend Replicas makes miniatures to full scale cannons. They may be reached at:

South Bend Replicas
61650 Oak Road
South Bend, IN 46614

Or by clicking on the link below:

South Bend Replicas

Saw their ad in Muzzle Blasts magazine.
 
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