Bronze mortar question

[Catkison]

I'm looking at buying a rough casting of a bronze grenade mortar and have a question for the forum. Does I need to look at adding a steel liner to the mortar? I searched the web and forum and can't find a definitive answer.

Thanks!

Carl

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Original bronze (gun metal) cannons and mortars were not lined. I don't really know but off hand I see no reason they would need a liner.

 

[Mort Scott]

I'm new to this cannon stuff, and don't think bronze cannons had steel liners. If it is thick enough it should be ok. I cast some cannons in bronze and added a stainless sleeve for strength. Mine seem to work OK. I would like to see pictures of your cannon.

 

[TheDoubleD]

Take a look at:
National Safety Rules and Procedures
for Shooting Muzzleloading Artillery, as adapted by the American Artillery Association March 2000

and

N-SSA National Rules for Cannons

For the guidelines on lining cannon barrels.

The biggest problem is going to be finding true cannon grade bronze made mortars.

 

[AlanBroerse]

I have 3 coehorns all cast in gun-bronze ...a 2 1/4" grenade mortar, a 2 1/2" rev. war and a 3.65 inch in progress of bore polishing...I do not have steel sleeves in them and have fired some stout proof loads....Never have seen an indication that such short barrels needed sleeves. I use f or ff powder on the small one and they throw projectiles well with a pretty "ring" as they fire. Any unburned powder with a lose fitting projectile will most likely expel out the muzzle with a large flash.

 

[Catkison]

Thanks! I'll probably order one just for grins. Fort Vause doesn't want an arm & a leg for the mortar and it looks too neat to pass on.

 

[Karl Helweg]

I have one of the Ft. Vause bronze mortars and have had a blast with it (when my wife doesn't steal it). It took a lot of elbow grease but turned out to be a good looking piece and shoots tennis balls as loud as some cannons. I never steel lined mine but I do not shoot at any events that require that.

 

[Catkison]

Thanks! How hard would that mortar be to line?

 

[Karl Helweg]

I really have no idea what it would take to line it but you might start with talking to Ft. Vause and see what they can do.

I just put a lot of work into polishing it inside and out. It came rough sand cast. I have not had any reason to worry about lining it for any reenactments that I have used it and I just do not reload it for at least 30 minutes just to be safe. These and a donkey tail helped clean the bore up:

 

[BenCoogle]

Mortars aren't cannon. They are chambered weapons and you would have a hard time overloading, especially with such a light projectile as a tennis ball.