Help Needed

[taxback]

This is my first post to this forum, thanks to a kind invitation from Santa Dave (thanks Dave).  I posted a question on the toy cannon forum and Dave suggested I post it here due to the vast amount of knowledge held by those on this board.  My question is as follows... A good friend of mine in Northwest Missouri has recently purchased a small cast iron cannon at auction.  Our research has turned up nothing so far as to its age, maker, value, etc.  If any of you can help in any of these areas, we would greatly appreciate it.  The cannon can be seen at...

http://server5.pictiger.com/img/68984//02220008.jpg
http://server5.pictiger.com/img/68985//02220010.jpg
http://server5.pictiger.com/img/68986//02220011.jpg
http://server5.pictiger.com/img/68987//02220003.jpg
http://server5.pictiger.com/img/68988//02220001.jpg

Also, any opinions regarding firing or not firing would be much appreciated.  Thanks for any help you can give.

Gerald Johnson
Western North Carolina

[Cat Whisperer]

taxback -

Welcome to the board.

Is the cannon perhaps intended for use with calcium carbide ?

[taxback]

Thanks for the welcome Tim.  I wondered the same thing about the calcium carbide.  That is why I posted the same information over on the Yahoo Toy Cannon mailing list as those guys deal almost exclusively with carbide shooters.  So far no one has come forward with any information.  If they do, I'll post it here.  I have been looking around this site and am really enjoying it.  I love mortars....always have.

Gerald

[jeeper1]

Correct me if I'm wrong but a quick look suggests the wheel are about 18 inches in diameter. If so then the barrel OAL is about 24 inches. The barrel diameter at the chamber is about 6 inches and the flash hole is more than a half inch unless that is a cup or depression of some sort. I would be inclined to say it most likely is an ornament only.

[Kuntrykouple]

It is a neat piece... But I am gonna have to agree with jeeper