Author Topic: Antique Ordnance Publishers (Read 2672 times)

Double D · « **on:** September 18, 2003, 02:35:29 PM »

I have found a source for cannon plans!

Don and Jan Lutz of Antique Ordnance Publisher sell Civil War Artillery drawing. I have been looking for drawings of the Model 1844 10 Seacoast mortar. I was referred Don. I order the plans from Don for $10 plus priority mail. The plans I got are printed on 11" x 17" heavy stock paper and are scale drawings of the actual guns. They are high quality drawings

If you are interested in building faithful reproduction scale model cannons these drawings are what you need. Here is a list of what is available.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2003, 04:55:35 PM »

DD

I must echo your praise of Lutz' quality. (Got the packet today.)

Double D · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2003, 04:00:20 PM »

I just got off the phone with Don Lutz and he told me that 40 years ago he lucked across some micro films of the original drawings from the Ordnance Department. He has been copying and sellling these drawing ever since.

I got over 30 pages of drawings. Not all the drawings have that many pages.

CJ, I asked about the Left hand thread. He said all the drawings are that way, but he has never seen an original gun with left hand threads.

Double D · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2003, 01:36:23 PM »

CW,

You have now had an opportunity for a hands on examination of two sets of the drawings from Antique Ordnance Publishers.

I am very interested n hearing you opinion. Cost? Adaptibility by a modeler etc.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2003, 02:48:48 PM »

DD -

Yes. Impressive drawings.

In order to build one, there are many dimensions that are needed to complete the set. Most of these probably could be derived directly from the drawings and hit reasonably close.

Step one would be to start with turning them into a set of 3d drawings. That way each dimension will be developed as close as possible to the drawings. Second step would be to convert the 3d drawings into a conventionally dimensioned set of working drawings from which the piece could be built.

Several choices. First, a full size set made to 100% original dimensions.
Second, a set as close as practical, using modern fasteners.
Third, a set that would be scaled to a specific ratio or to a specific bore diameter, using modern fasteners.

I assume the 10" Sea Coast mortar would be the first one to play with.

I also assume that there would be some market for a fully developed set of working drawings.

At some point it would lend validity to the process to verify the dimensions by verifying them from one of the mortars left in existance. That may also be usefull in determining any dimensions that might not be able to be derived from the drawings.

Manufacturability. Again more choices. Building one or many?

Side plates appear to be cast iron. If building one, cold rolled plate could be machined to dimensions. If building many, a wooden pattern would be easy enough to make and have sand castings made. Cost lower per unit for many units. I assume the rest of the framework is a hardwood.

The tube. Again, with modern steels, could be assembled to look like the original, with adequate strength. Could also be sand cast from a wooden patern. Would be better than the original due to our modern cast steels.

Double D · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2003, 11:07:43 PM »

Those are supposed to be the actual Ordnance drawing taken from a Microfiche. Each set you see there cost $10 plus shipping.

I have just got the side view drawn out of the Cheek piece of the Seacoast mortar using my T-2H program. You know T-square and 2H lead pencil on a drawing board. To scale I used 27.5/6 or 4.58333333333333333333333333333333. 27.5 divided by 6 because my tube is 6 inches in diameter. The Original tube was 27.5 inches.

I do this on my calculator and save the 4.58333333333333333333333333333333 into memory. The as I draw, I divide each dimension from the drawing by memory to get my dimension for my drawing and use my scale to draw the line to length. It got tricky as a couple of lines are drawn from the intersections of arcs and from parallels to other line whose base is part of a trapezoid on the opposite side of the drawing.

There is two wooden cross supports and the brass cross bar.

There is one baffling portion. The inner support section I actually think there are a couple of lines missing from the drawing of the cheek. If you look at the inner support portion of the cheek you will see a wider section under the Trunnion. On the side view you can see the dotted line coming up around and going under the brass crosspiece the to rear and down. If you look at the top view you will see the wider section under the trunnion. When you look at the two cross sections of the back half you will see wider in one section. ItÂ’s not the in the further aft section. Go back to the side and top views and there is no ending line.

By the way the scaling of the drawing from the origin to the dimensions for my 6-inch tube makes the Cheeks 17.25 x 6.82 by 2.07.

When you send the drawings back I am going to scale the tube for the Coehorn to my 6-inch tube and see what I come up with.

I am really thinking about getting a piece of 7 inch 1018 and make a full Â¼ scale with steel check pieces of the seacoast . The unworked 7 inch piece would weigh 135 lbs and 220 lbs for the cheeks. Sound to heavy already.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2003, 10:08:20 AM »

DD -
By now, or shortly, you'll have reviewed my 3d drawing of the 10" sea coast mortar tube. As noted it's easy when doing the 3d to note places that are not dimensioned, or left up to manufacturing practices.

I'll get to the framework soon.

Do you think there would be interest in publishing a set of manufacturing working drawings at whatever scale? It could easily be done, perhaps in conjunction with Antique Ordinance Publishers. Manufacturing tolerances could be determined and added and a complete bill of materials could be deveoped with a set of instructions.

Double D · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2003, 04:23:30 PM »

Got the drawings today for Whitworth rifle....21 pages, Not quite as impressive as the other two sets of drawings. I'll write a report later.

GGaskill · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2006, 09:55:16 AM »

M1844 10" Sea-Coast Mortar

freddo · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2006, 04:50:19 AM »

When searching for a source of drawings for the limber fot the 1841 6 pounder I made enquires to a member of this board.He could have just referred me to the above mentioned people.He did not.Instead he obtained the drawings and mailed them to me at his own expense.
This level of kindness astonishes me but it seems to be a characteristic of many of the members of this board and another to which I subscribe.
I think it would embarrass the member should I mention his name so I won't but I suppose most of you could guesse anyway.
The drawings,by the way, are impressive down to the very last detail and specs .Even the bolts and screws are fully dimensioned and detailed

Cat_Whisperer · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2006, 06:51:46 AM »

(It obviously was not I)

It doesn't get any better than this! I can think of several here that would do it!