Author Topic: Complete Dahlgren Gun (Read 4097 times)

dominick · « **on:** April 17, 2008, 05:11:00 PM »

I built a Dahlgren barrel and carriage this week. Here are the photos.

I forgot to mention, It's a golf ball Dahlgren. It has a 1" diameter x 1-1/2" deep powder chamber. 4" diameter breech, 17-1/2" long barrel. Same dimensions as the SBR barrel, except the bore.

intoodeep · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2008, 05:46:27 PM »

Dom,

Great Job!!!! That's a neat little shooter. Oh, the temptation.....

EL Caz 66 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2008, 06:06:12 PM »

Man that is cool!! oh Boy, Dom look what you have done started. Yes, I must say tempting is the word..

lance · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2008, 06:14:49 PM »

Dom,Excellent Work!!!! you'll be hearing from me,as soon as i can sort some thoughts out! Decisions,Decisions............

JeffG · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2008, 07:53:51 PM »

Well, I am about to be the proud owner of that little monster! What a great looking piece! I am pretty sure Dom has started something here, and rightly so, he does awesome work!! Dom, great job!!! JeffG

JeffG · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2008, 08:00:02 PM »

Hi Dom!!!

I thought I was the one that put the twinkle in Jeff's eyes......

Oh well....if I'm to play second fiddle to someone (thing), I'm glad it's your awesome cannon!!!! GREAT JOB!

Mrs. Jeff G

Spuddy · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2008, 07:40:10 AM »

Beautiful gun. I am looking for a GB cannon to go with my Dom GB Dictator. Can you PM me with a price? Thanks.
Tim

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2008, 08:32:04 AM »

Wow!!!!!! That is way neat looking. I want one, someday. $:-\$ $:-\$

dominick · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2008, 04:07:06 AM »

More pictures....

KABAR2 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2008, 05:19:51 AM »

dominick,

Another nice cannon! I like the false muzzle too!

JeffG · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2008, 06:00:52 AM »

Quote

I like the false muzzle too!

Excellent!!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #11 on:** April 20, 2008, 07:19:49 AM »

Of the 4 shots, the 2nd and 3rd are great angles! The second, the cleanest (strongest image - the 3rd has a bit of clutter in the background).

Reshoot and submit these for the 2009 CALENDAR!

dominick · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2008, 01:51:16 PM »

Thanks everyone for the compliments.

Quote from: Cat Whisperer on April 20, 2008, 07:19:49 AM

Of the 4 shots, the 2nd and 3rd are great angles! The second, the cleanest (strongest image - the 3rd has a bit of clutter in the background).

Reshoot and submit these for the 2009 CALENDAR!

Tim, I'll do that. Thanks.

cannen1 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2008, 09:37:14 AM »

Dominick, I'm new to this forum. I joined because I'm a do it yourself guy and I like cannons. That Dahlgren cannon you made has got to be the coolest cannon I have ever seen. I have a few questions.
1. Did you machine the barrel from blank stock? If so what grade steel did you use?
2. It looks like its a golf ball cannon, what is the exact size of the bore?
3. Did you work from blueprints? If so where did you get them?
4. Finally, would you be willing to machine a blank barrel for $?

Thanks,
Ed

dominick · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2008, 03:56:06 AM »

Ed, welcome to the forum! To answer your questions concerning the Dahlgren:

1. The barrel for his gun was built from 4" OD x 1-1/8" wall 1026 seamless tubing and has a press fit chambered plug with a 3/4" diameter hardened cross pin through the breech assembly. The rear of the plug has a step for welding to the outer tube.

2. 1.75"

3. I measured a 1/7th scale customer supplied barrel for building the barrel and used customer supplied prints for the carriage.

4. How blank, less trunions? Solid stock or tube? I would need more details to answer.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2008, 06:48:26 AM »

Quote from: cannen1 on May 03, 2008, 09:37:14 AM

...
I joined because I'm a do it yourself guy and I like cannons.
...
Thanks,
Ed

WELCOME to the board!

THIS is the place to be - you've likely already found a lot of advice from folks that have walked the same path.

What do you like to shoot?

cannen1 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2008, 04:05:26 PM »

Thanks guys, right now I don't shoot anything. What got me interested recently in cannons is that a few weeks back I went to a civil war show and picked up a factory reject cast iron cannon (South Bend?). Its about 14" long and about a 1/2 inch bore. The trunions were broken off and fuse hole was plugged. OK for 30 bucks it would look cool sitting on my bar. I'm a decent woodworker so I decided to make a nice carriage for it. Well, wouldn't you know it, I made the mistake of googling "cannon" and found so much interesting info, including this website. Now I'm really hooked after seeing that Dalhgren cannon that Dominick made. Salute to Dom!! I would like to someday get a functional golf ball cannon. I have some welding skills, mainly MIG. My concern is safety first.
Dominick, I'm looking for a safe golf ball cannon barrel like your Dalhlgen, with trunions. I could make my own carriage. Would there be a big cost difference between the two types you mentioned? I don't have too much as far as machining equipment except a Smithy type lathe/mill combo. Also, want the barrel to be safe so nobody gets hurt.

Thanks,
Ed

dominick · « **Reply #17 on:** May 05, 2008, 03:03:18 PM »

Ed, PM sent. Dom

cannen1 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 12, 2008, 01:58:18 PM »

Dominick, would you have any video's of your Dahlgren cannon in action?

Ed

intoodeep · « **Reply #19 on:** May 12, 2008, 03:09:34 PM »

Here is a link to to JeffG's post. He has posted a few videos. This is one of Dom's Dahlgrens.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,144049.0.html

cannen1 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 12, 2008, 04:19:50 PM »

Cool, thanx.

cannen1 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 03, 2008, 01:20:40 PM »

Hey Dom, I sent you an email last night about the size of this cannon's wheels and axle. Did you get it?

Thanks,
Ed

dominick · « **Reply #22 on:** June 03, 2008, 03:30:10 PM »

Ed, Yes I did, The wheel diameter is 1-1/2" and they are 1"wide. The axle diameter is 3/8" and I'm not sure of the axle length. I usually cut it to length when I fit the wheels to the carriage. Dom

cannen1 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 03, 2008, 04:11:32 PM »

Thanks Dom. I appreciate the info. I'll feel better I had a hand in making at least a part of it.

dominick · « **Reply #24 on:** June 03, 2008, 04:25:33 PM »

You're welcome Ed. E-mail sent.

cannen1 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 07, 2008, 05:26:33 PM »

Dom, you are an excellent machinist and fabricator. The Dahlgren barrel is a work of art. Jay Leno would be proud of you

. I hope I can get close to making the steel carriage as nicely as you have done. All I can say is MADE IN USA BY US CITIZENS and the best quality there is. This country needs more craftsmen like you!

Ed

dominick · « **Reply #26 on:** July 08, 2008, 04:18:08 PM »

Ed, Thanks for the compliment. Dom

cannen1 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 20, 2008, 05:01:44 PM »

Dom, what type of paint did you use for the Dahlgren? I was thinking of using black auto primer with semi-flat black enamel. Do you think that would be durable?

Thanks,
Ed

dominick · « **Reply #28 on:** July 21, 2008, 01:49:24 AM »

Quote from: cannen1 on July 20, 2008, 05:01:44 PM

Dom, what type of paint did you use for the Dahlgren? I was thinking of using black auto primer with semi-flat black enamel. Do you think that would be durable?

Thanks,
Ed

I use flat black Enamel. What you're planning to do would work fine.

leesecw · « **Reply #29 on:** July 21, 2008, 03:56:44 AM »

I use the black barbecue grill paint on my mortars. The paint can handle some heat