Artillery Reenactors (cannon owners)...a few questions

[66illinois]

Hello,

I am new to the artillery reenactor group but have done the infantry impression for many years. *I am in the process of gathering info. on an upcoming purchase of a field piece. I am doing my research and was hoping a few of the Board members who crew a piece or own one might be able to offer some assistance.

I am aware of the main tube and carriage makers out there (Steen; South Bend; Paulson; Cannon Ltd, etc.) ....

1) What tubes are being mostly seen on the field ?

2) What are the most common cannon that are seen on the field today (excluding Mountain Howitzers) ?

3) What carriage manufactures are mostly being seen on the field ?

4) Are there any smaller cannon makers out there that are making very good and reasonable tubes ?

5) I am hearing some decent things about Hern Iron Works tubes...can anyone comment on the quality ? Their prices seem very reasonable.

6) Does it really matter if my...say my 3" Ordnance Rifle is NOT rifled? I understand I might not be able to compete with it BUT for the price difference of one being rifled vs. smoothbore it is significant.

7) I have been reading that many tubes made today (iron) have a liner....does this look "hokey" or noticeable ?

8) What would I need to do if I purchased a modern reproduction of an Ordnance Rifle to make it look "correct" and not farby ?

Thanks in advance....any help is appreciated and valuable!

[CWClark]

6) Does it really matter if my...say my 3" Ordnance Rifle is NOT rifled? I understand I might not be able to compete with it BUT for the price difference of one being rifled vs. smoothbore it is significant.

IMHO, if you are only using the cannon for reenacting, I'd prefer a smooth tube. The reason for this is I believe it will be easier to swab the tube better, and keep the tube safer when you go to ram the charge.

7) I have been reading that many tubes made today (iron) have a liner....does this look "hokey" or noticeable ?

I would definitely get a seamless steel liner for your tube, and the thicker the better...for safety reasons.

As for everything else, it sounds to me you've been studying pretty good on the in and outs of artillery choices.

[TennCav]

[QUOTE=66illinois]

4) Are there any smaller cannon makers out there that are making very good and reasonable tubes ?
QUOTE]
Check with Mike (hobo) at this address Monsignor666@aol.com
He a a couple of others in our unit have built several pieces. He will be out of pocket for the next week as for email but I will say something to him this weekend.
here are a few pics of the last 2 they built
http://forrestsescort.com/images/OurCrewFiringcanon77618x12.jpg

http://forrestsescort.com/images/Image1.jpg

http://forrestsescort.com/images/Image3.jpg

http://forrestsescort.com/images/Image4.jpg

[TennCav]

here is a wagon they just built also.
http://forrestsescort.com/images/B2007_3.jpg

[RJSamp]

Can someone settle this for me once and for all.....

for Wagons.
US Military.
Mule power.
The teamsters/drivers rode on the left wheel animals....

NOT sitting on the wagon?

[Jeffrey Cohen]

Greetings:
If you want a smoothbore buy a howitzer, a 1841 6 pounder or a Napoleon. A smoothbore ordnance rifle is an oxymoron, down the line you'll wish you had a rifled gun.
Hern barrels come unfinished, also check out the purchase agreement. that should tell you something.
Check out the NSSA board:
http://www.n-ssa.net/phpbb/
You will also get some help there.
This guy does some great work here's his site:
http://www.historicalordnanceworks.com/
Buy a tube from a guy who makes them to be fired, also pick up a copy of the More Complete Cannoneer:
http://www.museumandcollector.com/book.html
This is the artilleryman's bible, read it and commit it to memory. It will answer 99.9% of all your questions and then some.

[captdougofky]

Jeff

I think he's got a pretty good list with Steen, Cannons ltd. etc. Now all he has to do is get the check book out.

Always
Doug Thomas
Lyons Battery
Kentucky

[Jeffrey Cohen]

I forgot ere's another good site:
http://www.ncwaa.com/

[Ephraim_Zook]

RJ --
Just took a look over at the LOC Brady photo database. You are quite right -- in every photo but one where wagons were being driven, the driver was on the animal. The exception was a photo of the telegraph construction corps. Guess they all had delicate fannies.


Can someone settle this for me once and for all.....

for Wagons.
US Military.
Mule power.
The teamsters/drivers rode on the left wheel animals....

NOT sitting on the wagon?

[66illinois]

Thanks guys...loads of great info. *Please it coming...a good topic for all I think. *I am learning!!!!! I have been recommended a great book or two that I am ordering to fill in a few answers. Thanks again.



PS: I posted a "want ad" for a cannon on the Board in case someone knows a group selling something..... :-D

[TennCav]

For the most part, artillary and waggons were drove from the on side horses. That the way we run our wagon. What you see in the picture is a jerk line hooked to the off side horse, she is green and it is basicly a saftey line to help control her if I can't get to her riens from the on side horse.

[Cannoneer]

On "which cannon to get". That question can be answered by looking into the unit you are "reenacting". My unit is the CLA which started the war with four 6 pounders. Later in the war two 12 pound howitzers were issued to the unit. Toward the end of the war I am still reserching.

We currenty have two (1846, 1861) 6 pounders that were "intrusted" to us from the local GAR unit. Still working on the carrage.

Hope this helps.