Cannon Experience

[Farmer Dean]

I just purchased a Model 1841 Full Size Six Pounder. I have never fired a cannon, nor been around one that was fired. I was looking for some feedback from one of you cannoneers about your field experience. My barrel is manufactured by Hern and is lined and has a 3 1/2" bore. I plan on firing blanks with Skirmish Powder.

I know maximum load for that barrel according to National Safety Rules is 7 oz. In the field is that the size charge that is used or can you get by with less?

If someone responds, I'll probably have a follow up question or two. Thanks, Dean.

[Forquer]

I just purchased a Model 1841 Full Size Six Pounder. I have never fired a cannon, nor been around one that was fired. I was looking for some feedback from one of you cannoneers about your field experience. My barrel is manufactured by Hern and is lined and has a 3 1/2" bore. I plan on firing blanks with Skirmish Powder.

I know maximum load for that barrel according to National Safety Rules is 7 oz. In the field is that the size charge that is used or can you get by with less?

If someone responds, I'll probably have a follow up question or two. Thanks, Dean.

First, you didn't indicate where you are from. There may be some folks in your immediate area who you can get some face to face discussion with.

Second, before firing the piece for the first time, PLEASE log time with an experienced battery to learn the ins and outs.

Also, while I'm an advocate of drilling using the period manuals, I also believe that there is much to be learned from the NCWAA course that offered in several different places at different times during the year. Get as much hands on experience as you can.

As far as powder, use cannon grade powder. This is a coarser grade than Fg-FFFg. The primary players are Goex and Elephant, although I think that Schuetzen also makes some. One of the fellows in our battery has his own 1841 with liner and he's firing 8 oz. If you're planning on 7, there won't be any appreciable difference. Who are you planning to use for friction primers?

As a novice, educate yourself as much as you can and learn each position. Unless you do, you won't be using a cannon, you'll be playing with a pipe bomb waiting to happen. The artillerists around you will appreciate it.

YOS,

[Farmer Dean]

Greg, good advice. I'm in Central California and cannons seem a little scarce. I've been reading up on all the safety drills, but I have a lot more studying before I'm ready to fire. I'm not sure what a friction primer is. My barrel just has a vent hole. I was planning to set it off with fuse. Is that what you mean?

I was going to put this piece on my front lawn (pointed directly away from my house!) Can a Six Pounder with 7 oz. create enough shockwave behind it to cause a problem with my house windows, or is my only concern what is out front? Dean.

[tompritchett]

I hope that you live in the country or else you will have some very upset neighbors the first time you do fire it. If nothing else, you may set off car alarms and possibly window intruder alarms across the street.

Before you actually start even considering firing it, I would suggest not only reading the manuals but also spend time with the few cannon units that are in your area. Reading a manual and actually performing the various crew functions are two different kettles of fish.

[Farmer Dean]

Thomas, yes I do live in the country; I'm an alfalfa farmer - nearest house is about a mile and a half away. I'd love to hook up with a cannon unit but have yet to locate anything even remotely near me.

What's your opinion: will this Six Pounder blow my windows out when used as described above? Dean.

[harley_davis]

Sir:

A word of caution, if you have not already received it. As an infantryman, I can claim no expertise in the operations of an artillery peice. Last fall I had the honor of being part of a crew firing a field peice. Even though I had witnessed artillery peices being fired, until was part of this crew, I had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA just how involved the proper procedure is. It is only my humble opinion, but I would strongly suggest that some official training from qualified persons would be in order. Your arm, ears and the body parts of others are much to valuable to practice with.

I remain, respectfully,

[Forquer]

Greg, good advice. I'm in Central California and cannons seem a little scarce. I've been reading up on all the safety drills, but I have a lot more studying before I'm ready to fire. I'm not sure what a friction primer is. My barrel just has a vent hole. I was planning to set it off with fuse. Is that what you mean?

I was going to put this piece on my front lawn (pointed directly away from my house!) Can a Six Pounder with 7 oz. create enough shockwave behind it to cause a problem with my house windows, or is my only concern what is out front? Dean.

Thomas, yes I do live in the country; I'm an alfalfa farmer - nearest house is about a mile and a half away. I'd love to hook up with a cannon unit but have yet to locate anything even remotely near me.

What's your opinion: will this Six Pounder blow my windows out when used as described above? Dean.

Sir -

Not wanting to appear glib or judgemental, but it seems you've purchased an expensive noisemaker. That's okay, but your windows are the least of your worries.

If you haven't already, talk to you insurance agent and see what he/she recommends that you carry in terms of liability coverage.

I don't do any reenacting in California, so I have no contacts for artillery units out there who can teach you how to operate your piece safely. I don't know if you're close to Bakersfield, but you may know of Fort Tejon which, if you don't, is south of there and north of Lebec. The folks there do some Civil War living history programs and may be able to put you in contact with artillery groups that are considerably closer than Ohio. Make friends with some of these folks and work with them before trying to fire your piece.

Make sure that you have all of the necessary and correctly made implements and equipment to service your piece:

Sponge/Rammer
Worm
Trailspike
Sponge Bucket
Lanyard
Thumbstalls
Priming Wire
Vent Punch
Vent Brush
Gimlet

Also make sure that you learn the correct way to manufacture your rounds. Whomever you connect with in California can show you what you need.

Please don't use anything but friction primers as an ignition system. There are several manufacturers of those. Please don't use anything but black powder in your rounds.

As far as your windows go, I have no idea how far from your home you're planning on placing the piece. All I can say is, err on the side of caution. If you want to keep it up close to the house, move it before firing it. There is no hard and fast answer, and mileage may vary.

There is an awful lot that you're going to have to learn hands on. Distance learning and book learning can only go so far. One thing that I have compiled is a list of accidents that have occurred since 1997 from people using antique ordnance incorrectly. If you'll post your e-mail address I'll be happy to forward a copy to you.

Good luck,

[bob 125th nysvi]

have an artillery division? If it does there might be an NSSA unit closer to him than an artillery unit.

As to shock wave going backwards (away from the direction the piece is pointed), no that won't happen unless the breach explodes. but I would keep it at least 100 feet from the house. People inside watching TV or trying to taking a nap might just object to the noise.

Connect with any local reenactment and see if they have a gun coming to the event. Then register and hook up with them. They probably won't let you be part of the gun crew but you can stand back by the limber and observe and talk to them during the off time periods.

[Farmer Dean]

Greg, I appreciate all the info/help I can get my hands on. And you're exactly right, it's a noise maker to me. Throwing a projectile to the other side of my alfalfa field holds no allure to me. I've got Switlik's book, have read many articles on proper charge preparation, and have studied various Artillery Safety Rules. I understand the potential for disaster is always present. I've got a full farm shop and will be fabricating all of the tools that are needed. Please do contact me with your disaster list, that is certainly another good way to learn. starfarms@airspeedwireless.net

Bob, thanks for the feedback on shockwave. I'll will keep looking for any local reenacters. Dean.

[Forquer]

have an artillery division? If it does there might be an NSSA unit closer to him than an artillery unit.

As to shock wave going backwards (away from the direction the piece is pointed), no that won't happen unless the breach explodes. but I would keep it at least 100 feet from the house. People inside watching TV or trying to taking a nap might just object to the noise.

Connect with any local reenactment and see if they have a gun coming to the event. Then register and hook up with them. They probably won't let you be part of the gun crew but you can stand back by the limber and observe and talk to them during the off time periods.

Bob -

I know that there is some artillery shooting done in the N-SSA but have no familiarity with how they work. Rick Dennis, who posts on here, shoots with them and has some firsthand knowledge. I'll shoot him an e-mail and see if he doesn't have any direct contacts or a list of N-SSA contacts out that direction.

Added at 10:27 pm.....

Rick Dennis tossed me the following website to the California Historic Artillery Society:

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Crete/1870/

YOS,