Revolutionary War Howitzer

[MAPMFF]

Quick photo of my howitzer from a film shoot this past weekend. Haven't really discussed it much as the current wheels on it are not correct, but it's a cool shot and I wanted to share it. The new, correct wheels should, hopefully be done this week. Once I get them I have to add the streak nails, then paint and prime them. I'll post some photos of that process as I go along.

Then the continued effort to find an actual bronze barrel as the one on it now is just iron painted. It works from a distance but doesn't fool anyone up close.


A mixed impression of a mid/late war composite gun crew. Typically we portray very early war, which are the more simple blue coats with red facings.

 

[CyrusP]

I’d love to see video of that beauty in action.

 

[MAPMFF]

I’d love to see video of that beauty in action.

I've been reluctant to do much of any content with it because the wheels were not right. I plan for that to change in the spring!

But here is a photo to tide you over!

 

[PathfinderNC]

Quick photo of my howitzer from a film shoot this past weekend. Haven't really discussed it much as the current wheels on it are not correct, but it's a cool shot and I wanted to share it. The new, correct wheels should, hopefully be done this week. Once I get them I have to add the streak nails, then paint and prime them. I'll post some photos of that process as I go along.

Then the continued effort to find an actual bronze barrel as the one on it now is just iron painted. It works from a distance but doesn't fool anyone up close.


A mixed impression of a mid/late war composite gun crew. Typically we portray very early war, which are the more simple blue coats with red facings.
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The Living History community is lucky to have you. It's fine stuff you do.

 

[MAPMFF]

The Living History community is lucky to have you. It's fine stuff you do.

I appreciate the compliment! Certainly, trying our best to do it as right as we can.

 

[Celt5494]

I have been shooting black powder firearms since I was a child. I have never been around or seen any of these cannons in the field and firing. One day I would certainly really like to be present to watch something like that. Great job with everything, it's not every day people get to see living history.

 

[MAPMFF]

After a few months of waiting the new wheels have arrived!

Will start working on them over the next month or so to put the streak nails into the tires, prime and then paint.

Gonna make a jig in the basement so I can get it off the ground and be able to rotate it freely, should make painting easier.

 

[zulu]

Nice wheels! Who made them? Are they dished? How tall?

 

[MAPMFF]

Nice wheels! Who made them? Are they dished? How tall?

Whitmer Coach! They are, and 48" tall, the fellows are 4". Big wheels!

 

[MAPMFF]

 

[MAPMFF]

And for my 1,000th post. First wheel with all the strake nails place into the strake. Up on the sawhorse so I can spin it freely for painting. Next up red oxide primer.

 

[MAPMFF]

 

[MAPMFF]

 

[Conrad von Hotzendorf]

I'm curious what the original loading process is. Do you know of an 18th century manual that describes it?

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

Way back in 1960 I joined the NSSA as a crewmember of the USS Constellation, sister ship of the USS Constitution. She was berthed in Baltimore.
One of the members worked at the Naval plant on the Anacostia River. He obtained a 5' length of a Naval 3" barrel, and created a Naval deck gun.
If I recall correctly, we fired beer cans (steel at the time) filled with cement. Lots of wadding. Several times we were able to hit a 4' x 4' sheet of plywood at 1,000 yards.