Author Topic: "DICTATOR" Mortar (Read 1569 times)

irishman · « **on:** March 22, 2005, 04:46:03 AM »

I finally found a complete picture of a "DICTATOR". I am going to turn one out of 2" o.d. brass. Does anyone know the ratio I can use to determine the bore diameter?

The picture I have looks like massive wall thickness. The mortar has interesting history.

GGaskill · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2005, 06:35:57 AM »

The Dictator was a 13" mortar. I don't have plans for a 13" but an 8" of a similar pattern had 4" walls, so a 13" to the same proportion would be 26" in diameter.

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2005, 06:45:33 AM »

I while back I posted the drawings for the dictator. They might help.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=53512

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2005, 12:34:49 PM »

Quote from: irishman

I finally found a complete picture of a "DICTATOR". I am going to turn one out of 2" o.d. brass. Does anyone know the ratio I can use to determine the bore diameter?

The picture I have looks like massive wall thickness. The mortar has interesting history.

Irishman - WELCOME! You'll find a wealth of resources here and some mighty good folks too.
On of the other links to track through is this one - there are at least 3 others - which shows but just one method of cutting the radius -
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=53924&highlight=radius

You will find in the reference section a number of links (Civil War related and Museums) that have many pictures of the Dictator.

If you can't read the dimensions posted let me know, I've got a set of plans of the 13" Dictator (as do several others here).

Again, welcome. We're looking forward to your progress on this project!

GGaskill · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2005, 01:30:02 PM »

Here is a picture of a 13" mortar. The wall thickness appears to be greater than the bore diameter which would make the overall diameter over 40", maybe 42" or 43", so 5/8" bore diameter for a 2" overall diameter would be pretty close.

Courthouse yard in Baltimore, MD

Double D · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2005, 02:25:10 AM »

FWIW the Dictator was an "Iron" gun.

Cannonmaker · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2005, 06:08:16 PM »

Been reading all the info of everyone building Mortar's and it's been good reading.
When I get a couple of other projects finished and get some plans I will put a couple together. I have people at every gun show ask me about Mortars. They should be fairly inexpensive to build, not near the hardware on a Mortar as is on a field piece.
I build replicas, so I need accurate, detailed plans.

Thanks for the good reading. Rick

One last thing, when I learn how to post pictures I'll show some of what I'm doing.

GGaskill · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2005, 07:29:03 PM »

If you aren't using Antique Ordnance Publishers' folios, you are missing out on a fabulous resource.