BP Cannons - Plans and drawings?

G'day

I am looking for a site(s) where I might be able to get inspiration and in particular plans or drawings of cannons. I would like to make a cannon in a small calibre first to get the practice then make one with a golf ball size projectile which is about as large as we can get registered in Australia.

I have searched the web but have almost no success so far although I have found places that sell cannons or kits. This is not want I want to do.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Cheers from down under
Aussie Bob

 

[bezoar]

Well first it depends on the kind of cannon you want to make, you can find one website with "plans" for a american civil war howitzer made of pipes.
But iff you want something originally designed for a golf ball your best bet would be looking online for cannon before 1700ad. ive found some decent sites over the years.

Dixie Qunworks sells parts for cannons, but youd have to get the importing manure tho.
http://www.melfisher.org/swivelgun.htm has info on a swivel from the 1622 fleet he salvaged.
www.handgonnes.com has a photo section that has many photos of pre1500 ad cannon with rough dimensions.
pm me for more links once i get on my own computer.

 

[robinghewitt]

Which country? What period? For England the book is Howard Blackmore "1 Ordnance"

For 19th century there is a book of line drawings, can't remember what it's called, think Bill Curtis has repro copies in his book shop.

 

[bob1961]

here's a sight fer ya to ponder at.........bob

cannon......

 

[Jbar4Ranch]

I've always wanted to build a cannon too. The plant I used to work at closed down about 4 years ago and in our warehouse there was a length of seamless mechanical tubing 6" in diameter and about 6' long with a 3" id and 1 1/2" sidewalls that would have been a great start. Unfortunately, it disappeared before the auction was held.

 

G'day Squire Robin,

I have a picture in my mind of what I want but not the details of what it is really called. I think the term "field piece" probably applies.

If you go to http://www.cannon-mania.com/third-scale.htm you will see on the top of the page on the left a picture of a field piece with a beautiful wooden carriage. :hmm: The picture in my brain is something like that.

Cheers from down under
Aussie Bob

 

G'day Squire Robin,

I have wandered around the web but cannot find Bill Curtis's bookshop. Would appreciate if you would give me a url to find it?

Cheers from down under
Aussie Bob

 

[Halftail]

Hello Aussie Bob,
I don't have much advice for you but here is a picture of my Small cannon and a friends Bigger one.A friend has a book on differant types of cannons and he Machined the barrell for my small one.If you like I can find out the title of that particular book.......

 

[Halftail]

Here's the picture of the big one making smoke....

 

G'day Halftail,

Now you are cooking with gas. :redthumb: The little one looks magic. Is it a replica or a "home designed" cannon?

If you could send me details of the book and more on your cannon I would be very thankfull.

One day I would like to build something the size of the large one but I suspect it is best to start small.

Will you also give me some details on the little one with respect to loads, accuracy and etc.?

Cheers from down under
Aussie Bob

 

[Halftail]

Is it a replica or a "home designed

I would have to answer that it's a little of both.The barrell is designed after a Perrott(A Naval design))Correct me if I'm wrong).The rest of the Carrage and wheels are just made to look similar to an old cannon.
The Barrell was made out of a 2 foot length of "Cold Rolled Steel" 3/4 inch Bore and shoots a patched 73 cal. Ball.The same ball that is used in a Brown Bess.
My best load is 120 grains of 3f and it's deadly accurate at 50 yards.It's geared up to use percussion caps with a homemade trigger,made out of a part of a muffler clamp and a heavier piece of metal as the hammer.
It's a fun little toy and there is 4 or 5 of us that line up on Saturday nights at Rendevouz and have a little shoot off.Some of the other ones are 1-1/2 inch bore and of course there's that Big one you seen in the other picture.Let me tell ya with 4 ounces of powder and a soup can full of Cement that Biggun can do some Damage.
I've yet to get hold of my friend to ask him about the book but when I do I will post it here for you.
Here is a little closer look at the little on for you....