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Help ID a Naval Cannon

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I have a mold that cast a ball 2.90" in diameter which allows proper windage. for a 3" bore . A friend made it for me about 20 years ago.
I have cast a lot of balls with it out of different material.
I weigh them but can't promise how accurate it is.
Never the less, here it is.

Lead - 4.8 lbs.
Zinc - 3.1 lbs.
Aluminum - 1.1 lbs.
Concrete - 1 lb.

I have made hundreds of shot with it.

Here are some pictures.

RvDpeGol.jpg


XotmkhFl.jpg


Aluminum
pbWlRJJl.jpg


Zinc
30Se11wl.jpg


Lead
dikkCGEl.jpg


Concrete
srqV1LTl.jpg


Miscellaneous lead shot

j4Qk3rXl.jpg


pjWG2Y4l.jpg


8SLYDwml.jpg


TdlbjOTl.jpg
 
I have a mold that cast a ball 2.90" in diameter which allows proper windage. for a 3" bore . A friend made it for me about 20 years ago.
I have cast a lot of balls with it out of different material.
I weigh them but can't promise how accurate it is.
Never the less, here it is.

Lead - 4.8 lbs.
Zinc - 3.1 lbs.
Aluminum - 1.1 lbs.
Concrete - 1 lb.

I have made hundreds of shot with it.

Here are some pictures.

RvDpeGol.jpg


XotmkhFl.jpg


Aluminum
pbWlRJJl.jpg


Zinc
30Se11wl.jpg


Lead
dikkCGEl.jpg


Concrete
srqV1LTl.jpg


Miscellaneous lead shot

j4Qk3rXl.jpg


pjWG2Y4l.jpg


8SLYDwml.jpg


TdlbjOTl.jpg
Oh wow! That is more than impressive. Just love it. I may need to follow down your path. I have a thing for being able to cast for all my blackpowder (and some smokeless) firearms and will need to do this for the cannon. I dont suppose your friend is still able to make these? If so I am happy to pay whatever is worth his while.
 
Oh wow! That is more than impressive. Just love it. I may need to follow down your path. I have a thing for being able to cast for all my blackpowder (and some smokeless) firearms and will need to do this for the cannon. I dont suppose your friend is still able to make these? If so I am happy to pay whatever is worth his while.
Don't even know where to find him anymore.
 
3" lead projectile? Considering the $8261 original value of your tube, you might want to ask your insurance agent if he knows of a lighter and possibly safer material for your projectiles.
Cast iron was the material for naval guns, not lead. A lead ball would probably blow up the gun, since it's nearly twice the density of cast iron. Also, for this gun, you're not talking about the bore of a six pounder, though. You're better off shooting something like a soup can filled with concrete, up to 3 or 4 pounds tops, if you want a projectile.

I'm pretty sure you're already aware of this or most of it, and I apologize if this comes across as "dudesplaining", but seeing lead mentioned for the projo was scary to this old gun lover.
 
Cast iron was the material for naval guns, not lead. A lead ball would probably blow up the gun, since it's nearly twice the density of cast iron. Also, for this gun, you're not talking about the bore of a six pounder, though. You're better off shooting something like a soup can filled with concrete, up to 3 or 4 pounds tops, if you want a projectile.

I'm pretty sure you're already aware of this or most of it, and I apologize if this comes across as "dudesplaining", but seeing lead mentioned for the projo was scary to this old gun lover.
Point well taken. Much appreciated. I'm definitly new to the cannon game and appreciate all the dudesplaining I can get.
 
Point well taken. Much appreciated. I'm definitly new to the cannon game and appreciate all the dudesplaining I can get.
It appears you have a sub-bore diameter stainless steel sleeve in your barrel. A call to South Bend Replicas will give you their recommendation.
Point well taken. Much appreciated. I'm definitly new to the cannon game and appreciate all the dudesplaining I can get.
 
Oh wow! That is more than impressive. Just love it. I may need to follow down your path. I have a thing for being able to cast for all my blackpowder (and some smokeless) firearms and will need to do this for the cannon. I dont suppose your friend is still able to make these? If so I am happy to pay whatever is worth his while.
Selair,

You might want to read through this older post.......especially pages 2 & 3

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/well-i-pulled-the-trigger.136380/page-2
 
To follow up on the material of balls, I assume that the pound designation of cannons is based on the weight of a solid iron ball? If so, what would this cannon be with a 3" bore? Not a 6lb I take it, so likely a scaled down bore from the original barrel this one was modeled on?
 
Selair,

2.91 is a 3 pounder
3.67 is a 6 pounder

Someone better at math than me can crunch to see what exactly 3inches is.
 
I would be proud to have that gun!
Zinc is the correct projectile material that can be cast at home. Lead is far to heavy.
An aluminum mold will not work, it will get "soft" since zinc will be cast at over 800 degrees & aluminum melts at 1220 degrees.
I had Dominick Carpenter make me 2.20" and 2.44" steel molds for my guns a number of years ago. I'm not sure if he still does this but any capable machine shop should be able to make one. I found Dominick Carpenter on www.GBOReloaded.com in the black powder mortar & cannon section.
It isn't hard to cast zinc balls. Plenty of precautions need to be taken. Most pot metal or die cast things are made of zinc alloys & will usually cast just fine.
 
I would be proud to have that gun!
Zinc is the correct projectile material that can be cast at home. Lead is far to heavy.
An aluminum mold will not work, it will get "soft" since zinc will be cast at over 800 degrees & aluminum melts at 1220 degrees.
I had Dominick Carpenter make me 2.20" and 2.44" steel molds for my guns a number of years ago. I'm not sure if he still does this but any capable machine shop should be able to make one. I found Dominick Carpenter on www.GBOReloaded.com in the black powder mortar & cannon section.
It isn't hard to cast zinc balls. Plenty of precautions need to be taken. Most pot metal or die cast things are made of zinc alloys & will usually cast just fine.
Many thanks! I will reach out to Dominick and report how it goes.
 
Looks like a South Bend Replicas Verbruggen, 2 3/4 Bore. ? Probable JP Barnett vintage. Most likely cast iron and steel sleeved, a dandy piece!! How does a tennis ball fit in it? That would make a dandy blank. The SBR catalog will give you a wealth of info, as will "Round shot and Rammers" .

Lead balls are ok for mortars, but a little dense for cannon. (pressures) I would suggest zinc balls or balls cast of Bondo, automotive filler, or concrete filled soda cans.

You know we are going to need pictures!

https://www.rotometals.com/other-products/cannon-balls-for-pop-mortar-cannons/
 
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