"Gun locks, gun locks? We don't need no stinkin' gun locks!"

[The Miner '49er]

Just got back from a perfect day at the range and the first time out with my .75 handgonne. There sure is something to say for hammer and anvil simplicity, it gets the job done! Attached is my 25 yard target, manning the slow match and linstock alone while trying to aim without sights. A third hand would have been useful. First shot ever is the one closest to the center, last shot of the day is the one at 6 o'clock at the edge of the paper. Man I'm hooked! This has to be the most fun you can have with your clothes on! 50 gr 3F, .715 ball, coffee filter on both side of the ball. That baby packs a wallop

. Need to improve on my homemade match brew, I used about 2 feet in two hours. Let more fun begin!

 

[The Miner '49er]

I just noticed a third shot hit the target -barely- on the top right edge of the paper. If you look for them it's not too hard to see other .75 holes in the plywood around the target. I can see how balls of that size would either take down an armored knight or his horse. I'm hoping to get some fuse that will allow time to shoulder and aim the tiller. I think accuracy will greatly improve.

 

[russellshaffer]

A couple inches of cannon fuse will fix you right up. Plenty of time to light it and then take aim.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

One typical and historical record of the ideal 'slow match burn' is about 2 to 2-1/2 Feet (60 to 80 cms) per hour, or a tad more than 3/8" per minute, for those whom can best visualize that.

There are many recipes posted on here and Cap&Ball has YouTube videos showing the recipe and process. DO NOT hang it to dry ... dry it flat, I do so on wax paper.

 

[The Miner '49er]

Here ya go boys. No flint, no caps, just FIRE in the hole!

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

... you could upload the video ...

 

[The Miner '49er]

What, and show you and everyone else my fumblin', fidgitin', and fartin' around? Believe me, you saw the Oscar award material in those two!

 

[The Miner '49er]

After hours of keyboard punching I finally was able to isolate this frame. Last one, I promise.

 

[TobJohn]

Now you need a pavise to rest it on while shooting!

 

[tarawa1943]

You a re a brave man! I made two brass barreled cannons and when I test fired them (blank only) they went off what a roar that shook the windows in the house. I had them propped on a cement block and they ended up about 3 feet behind from the recoil. Not knowing how much powder to use, I used a cap off a can of brake cleaner. Probably a little much!

 

[The Miner '49er]

Now you need a pavise to rest it on while shooting!

TobJohn you have the right solution for sure. I did get a few tiny burn holes in my shirt and on my left hand. Maybe another solution would be a 15' long tiller and linstock.

 

[TobJohn]

TobJon you have the right solution for sure. I did get a few tiny burn holes in my shirt and on my left hand. Maybe another solution would be a 15' long tiller and linstock.

I have an old truckers hat and huge over my regular glasses safety glasses that came in very clutch when I shot an arquebus without a flash guard.

A brigandine or gambeson also probably helped to protect the shooter… and being used to living a life where everything was terrible all the time…

 

[The Miner '49er]

I have an old truckers hat and huge over my regular glasses safety glasses that came in very clutch when I shot an arquebus without a flash guard.

A brigandine or gambeson also probably helped to protect the shooter… and being used to living a life where everything was terrible all the time…

" Brigandine", " gambeson", TobJon, you have me busy discovering what they are. Yeah, either one is what I want! Maybe the budget will let me buy an old bomb squad suit at a police department auction.

 

[TobJohn]

It’s a whole new world of ways to spend money

 

[flatcreek]

I test fired them (blank only) they went off what a roar that shook the windows in the house.

You should know better than to fire them in the house, even with a blank load.

 

[tarawa1943]

You should know better than to fire them in the house, even with a blank load.

I am dimb but not that dumb
It was outside about 50 feet from the house facing the woods. Even the neighbors. said it was loud. Here’s a shot tied down

 

[The Miner '49er]

You a re a brave man! I made two brass barreled cannons and when I test fired them (blank only) they went off what a roar that shook the windows in the house. I had them propped on a cement block and they ended up about 3 feet behind from the recoil. Not knowing how much powder to use, I used a cap off a can of brake cleaner. Probably a little much!

What caliber are they? Nice workmanship, and I liked your video too.

 

[tarawa1943]

What caliber are they? Nice workmanship, and I liked your video too.

.75

 

[tarawa1943]

.75

I may have posted pics on the cannon forum.

 

[Nazgul58]

These are mine. Need to get a video of shooting them. 1" bore, barrels around 30" long. My Dad made these in 1973. He machined the barrels and built the carriages including the wheels. Both have been used a lot. The Police Dept. back at home used to borrow them for their annual cook out.

Don