Fun project

[Roy]

I should mention with a tennis ball there was no noticable recoil just a loud bang. With a bit of weight added I imagine that will change a bit. But we'll start out light and work up from there. :grin:

 

[Story]

Just imagine what a 1/4lb of chalk dust would do to a company of Doodles at a reenactment! :rotf:

 

[Roy]

I'm just trying to figure out how to make the "chalk ball" explode on impact not take off. :shocked2: :haha:

 

[Pork Chop]

have you tried a ziplock bag?

 

[Roy]

Nope. Storey started the whole chalk thing, I was considering adding silicone caulk to the tennis ball to get it to fly farther. But good idea except the wad would probably blast through the baggie, unless I used half of a tennis ball :hmm:

 

[Story]

The guys with 37mm launchers use 35mm plastic film containors for their chalk carriers.

 

[WRussell]

In case anyone wants some more inspiration, here's a real pretty one...

 

I need to get off my back side and mount my Kracken handgonne barrel, it has an 1 and a half bore.

 

[Zonie]

Claypipe: Would that have actually been used as a "handgonne" like they mounted on a pole and held with their hands or would it have been more like a cannon mounted on a small skid?

It's no wonder that we don't have any dragons left in England and Europe if that's the kind of stuff people were carrying around back then. :grin:

Zonie

 

[Roy]

I need to get off my back side and mount my Kracken handgonne barrel, it has an 1 and a half bore.

Well your not getting any younger :grin:

would like to see it when you finished :thumbsup:

 

Claypipe: Would that have actually been used as a "handgonne" like they mounted on a pole and held with their hands or would it have been more like a cannon mounted on a small skid?

I have seen it done both ways.

Pole mounted on a trestle rest.

Later, the pole was shortened, drill for a pin and mounted on a sledge with a primitive provision for adjusting elevation. Have plans for a one pounder using the sledge mounting. Might even add some steel tired wheels.

CP

 

[Zonie]

With a 1 1/2 inch bore, I know where the name "Kracken" came from. :grin:

The guy holding it when it went off heard his ribs make that sound. :rotf:

 

[davy]

Seems ta me from tha size of that thing ... after it went off ... you'd be sittin back on your "b&tt kracken"! :shocked2: :rotf:

Davy

 

I need to get off my back side and mount my Kracken handgonne barrel, it has an 1 and a half bore.

Well your not getting any younger :grin:

would like to see it when you finished :thumbsup:

Okay Roy, here you go!

Well, its not quite finished, tiller needs a coat or two of paint. But its mounted!

But keeping in topic, I stumbled on this Hinged action muzzleloading grenade launcher, circa 1720. It looks to even have had a folding bayonet or muzzle cover at one time, as evidenced by the hinge on the bottom of the muzzle. Reminds me a bit of an U.S. M79 greanade launcher.

Here is a rough translation of the description:

Rare German Bombarde circa 1720
Barrel swings upward for loading and compact storage, bronze smooth bore, 73mm. Iron flintlock (**** is missing) with flat frizzen, the opposite side has an inclinometer (pointer is missing). Easily loading. At swivelling fork on later wood block mount. Overall length 92 cm. Served for firing flares and explosives.

CP

 

Seems ta me from tha size of that thing ... after it went off ... you'd be sittin back on your "b&tt kracken"! :shocked2: :rotf:

Davy

What? Its only chambered for 400 grains of powder :grin:

 

[Powder Keg]

Hey Claypipe, Are you going to make a fork to hold that badboy up? If you do, Please share the pictures.

Later,

 

[Roy]

:thumbsup: Thanks for the pic.

You didn't have to look so happy about it though :haha:

Difinately makes the hand mortar look small.

 

[Story]

But keeping in topic, I stumbled on this Hinged action muzzleloading grenade launcher, circa 1720. It looks to even have had a folding bayonet or muzzle cover at one time, as evidenced by the hinge on the bottom of the muzzle. Reminds me a bit of an U.S. M79 greanade launcher.

Here is a rough translation of the description:

Rare German Bombarde circa 1720
Barrel swings upward for loading and compact storage, bronze smooth bore, 73mm. Iron flintlock (**** is missing) with flat frizzen, the opposite side has an inclinometer (pointer is missing). Easily loading. At swivelling fork on later wood block mount. Overall length 92 cm. Served for firing flares and explosives.

Look close at the off-hand side, there's a tangent sight mount (looks like a grade school protractor).

Hmmm. Wonder what you could use for a barrel.....
:hmm:

 

But keeping in topic, I stumbled on this Hinged action muzzleloading grenade launcher, circa 1720. It looks to even have had a folding bayonet or muzzle cover at one time, as evidenced by the hinge on the bottom of the muzzle. Reminds me a bit of an U.S. M79 greanade launcher.

Here is a rough translation of the description:

Rare German Bombarde circa 1720
Barrel swings upward for loading and compact storage, bronze smooth bore, 73mm. Iron flintlock (**** is missing) with flat frizzen, the opposite side has an inclinometer (pointer is missing). Easily loading. At swivelling fork on later wood block mount. Overall length 92 cm. Served for firing flares and explosives.

Look close at the off-hand side, there's a tangent sight mount (looks like a grade school protractor).

Hmmm. Wonder what you could use for a barrel.....
:hmm:

Yes, the technical fancy smancy name for that is inclinometer.

Is it me, or does the walls on that barrel look to be a bit thin? I guess if there's enough windage, and blow by, the pressures wouldn't be too great.

CP