Rodman display model

[bluelake]

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/civilwar/heinz-history-center-to-display-copy-of-huge-fort-pitt-1864-cannon-691040/

The history center's version of the Rodman cannon is based on the original gun's dimensions. The model was carved from Styrofoam on a five-axis milling machine directed by a three-dimensional computer program.
The foam was reinforced with a steel frame and then covered with an outside shell made of fiberglass, Mr. Gillum said. The date and place of original cannon's manufacture have been reproduced on the end of the model's barrel: Fort Pitt, 1864.

[Zulu]

How cool is that?
Now I will have to make one out of wood.
Zulu

[irishman]

I was sent this picture, and have permission to publish, from a person who works there and has fired many of my cannons. He titled the pic 'yer new competition'. He is Irish also.
 

 
I have had the pleasure of knowing several of the people who work there, including Dr. Poor, the founder, since the late 80s. They are amoung the most versatile and driven team imaginable, doing the undoable... all over the planet.
 
                                        Michael
                               Home of the Golden Gun

[cannonmn]

Thanks for posting.  I'm sure many remember the photos of a 1/10 scale model of the 20 inch Rodman gun and carriage, that I posted here a few years back.  I've had that model for about 10 years but have never been able to determine why it was made.  Was made in 1864 at Ft. Pitt, apparently cast from the same charge of iron, and at the same time as one of the big 20-inchers.  Fort Pitt also cast a number of 1/10 scale models of the 15-inch, and I have one of those too, but no explanation as to why they were cast, how they were distributed, etc.  One CW-period newspaper engraving of one or the big guns at Ft. Pitt shows three models perched on top, which are almost certainly scale models of 20, 15, and 10-inch Rodman guns.

[bluelake]

Great pic, Irishman--thanks for sharing it! 

[GGaskill]

Fort Pitt also cast a number of 1/10 scale models of the 15-inch, and I have one of those too, but no explanation as to why they were cast, how they were distributed, etc.

Do you have a trail of ownership back to the foundry?  Usually they are given to people who were instrumental in the production of the design like politicians, designers, even people on the foundry floor.

[cannonmn]

Do you have a trail of ownership back to the foundry?

Heck no, I can name the last 20 years' worth of collectors and dealers who had it, first one was a curator of a military museum in New York (shall remain nameless) and where it was before is unknown.  The initials TJR are still pretty clear on the muzzle face but the rest of the marks are not easily decipherable due to long-term corrosion.

[entsminger]

   Is this cool or what!!! I want one of these to put in my front yard to go along with my propane tank 13 inch mortar, if I ever finish it.  I remembered reading how a 20 incher went to Peru and I've schemed how I could fly to Peru and somehow sneak it back here, ha ha.

  Scott