It is 1780 in Colorado

[RonRC]

There was a "Living History" event in Morrison, CO. People were actively in their persona and the displays of gunsmithing, agriculture, weaving, children's games, blacksmithing, surgery and more were spread throughout a large, open field associated with a church. Blue and Redcoats were walking about and sharing a military encampment.

The most pleasing aspect of the event were the presence of young people in period clothing as well as military uniforms. This is in contrast to the primarily older folks (like me) who are present at many a rendezvous.

There was a military court-martial and I hoped to observe a well-deserved hanging or firing squad. Alas, there only was a flogging with a cat-of-nine tails. :grin:

The gunsmith had a period rifling system set up. The gunsmith, Dick, is a fine fellow, remarkably knowledgeable and skilled, and thoroughly educated me and others on the art of gunmaking. He went over woodworking and barrel making. I felt so much more informed when I left. His instruction was better than any book I have read on the topic. Thank you, Dick.

As soon as I can get photos up on ImageShack, I will post them here.

Ron

 

[RonRC]

I ain't talkin' to them redcoats!

Who are you texting (on a primitive smart phone from the 1780s)?

This really is a blast!

 

[RonRC]

So you want to rifle a barrel?

Camp followers? What camp followers?

Aren't these little mortars cute?

 

[Alden]

Nice, but...
...was Colorado really the 14th colony?


PS: that LOG for the rifling twist is HUGE for what it should be! Who would have been pushing THAT back and forth all day!? Sorry.

 

[RonRC]

The reason for the size is that inaccuracies and inconsistencies in that big, "rifled" log would be very small in the comparatively smaller barrel.

Can you imagine having to cut those grooves in the log with a hammer and chisel??

Didn't you know about the Colorado 14th colony? :grin:

Ron

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I think I'd check for Towers and Power Lines before shooting the mortar.

LD

 

[Alden]

The reason for the size is that inaccuracies and inconsistencies in that big, "rifled" log would be very small in the comparatively smaller barrel.

Can you imagine having to cut those grooves in the log with a hammer and chisel??

Ron

Logical re: size and inaccuracies. What I can't imagine is pulling and pushing that log to rifle a barrel for long even as an apprentice. Maybe if it was hollow. But thankfully I don't have to.

I've done such manual rifling myself with, and only seen, smaller patterns in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Kentucky. But those were never as up on the state of the art in traditional muzzleloader rifle making as The Colorado Colony...

:wink:

PS: I have mortar envy. My coehorn is only 2.75" -- that's a 4" or maybe even a 6" mortar I believe.