Author Topic: Diggin Up The Past (Photos) (Read 2221 times)

intoodeep · « **on:** March 11, 2005, 03:04:12 PM »

Well, here I am diggin up the past (my childhood). I thought just for fun I would post these to share with the members.

Here is me as a wee one.... Is, that a large pacifier, or, am I just holding a muzzle plug??? I guess either way it's the same.....

And yes, that Mt. Howitzer is in our living room.

This picture is from my father's garage. Notice that you can't even park a car in there....

And the last one. Two more hiding in the backyard.

Thanks to those of you who gave me a warm welcome as a new member. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Powder keg · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2005, 05:27:57 PM »

Wow!!! Thats quite a collection. Thanks for sharing the pictures. I'm building a 3/4 scale mountian howitzer. (Work in progress) I want to have the steel barrel brass plated when I finish it. Thanks again for sharing the pictures.

Double D · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2005, 05:41:39 PM »

Whoa, wait a minute you can't just come here and post pictures like that and walk away!

You gotta do a Paul Harvey....we want to know the rest of the story!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2005, 02:05:13 AM »

What a history and what an inheritance to look forward to!

intoodeep · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2005, 02:46:29 PM »

Ooops! I guess I should have said "was" instead of "is" in my description since I am talking about the past. :shock: These photos are from approx. 30+ years ago. So, all but one of these cannons have moved on.

Anyway, I will post a few more photos of others and give a bit of detail in the next day or, two.

Thanks for your intrest.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2005, 02:54:34 PM »

Ahhh but shuch good memories!

Which one?

intoodeep · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2005, 05:06:26 PM »

Well, we have come across a quite few more cannon photos. IÂ’ll post some of them below.

As, for a story I wish there was something real exciting like:

Â“Yippee, a Barn Find. Owner pays me $50 to haul them away.Â” :grin:

But, that would not be true.

The truth is (short version) that my father had acquired these from different people and places over the years. I know that a few of the barrels in the photos were sold off so, that my parents could purchase a larger home. A few more were traded for other barrels or, to have carriages made. By, the early 80Â’s we had only 3 cannons left. One 6pdr, one 3Â” Ordinance Rifle and one navel cannon. In 1987 we moved from PA. to Southern FL. The 6pdr and 3Â” Ordinance rifle were just too large to drag around with us so, they were sold off to a good home.

Yes, these are great memories; I had basically put them to the back of my mind. Until recently when I had the pleasure to shoot with my father and his newly acquired Â½ scale Parrot Rifle. I Thoroughly enjoyed it, as I was always too young to participate at the NSSA cannon shoots.

Well, thanks for letting me ramble and please enjoy the photos.

A Few more barrels in the backyard.

One that I forgot about in the backyard.

A mortar and a few scale models.

A Breechloader.

The 6pdr. & 3" Ordinance Rifle sold in '87.

And finally the antique naval cannon that has stayed in the family.

P.S.- This is all of the photos that I will post on this subject. I don't want to load up the message board. Also, please do not use any of these photos without proper permission.

Double D · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2005, 05:32:11 PM »

Are those full size or original tubes?

intoodeep · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2005, 05:44:30 PM »

DD,

All of the tubes were full scale originals. It would be nice to have them now. Better than a 401K.....

Powder keg · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2005, 06:04:37 PM »

Intoodeep, Could you please show us a close up of the lock on the naval carriage? If it's not to much trouble. It looks like it is lanyard fired? Thanks,

intoodeep · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2005, 02:45:44 AM »

Powder keg,

Here are the photos of the lock.

Fixed photo. Note to self: No posting photos before coffee....... :eek:

Double D · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2005, 05:16:59 AM »

Now that is clever.

Charge the vent with priming powder. Lower the nipple arm and add cap. Pull lanyard to slap the hammer over and fire the cap into the priming powder.

Very clever indeed.

guardsgunner · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2005, 08:55:27 AM »

I agree. Very neat set-up.
Intoodeep, do you know the age of the little naval gun and country that it came from ?
Same for the breechloader. It is on an interesting carriage.

Thanks

Powder keg · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2005, 01:40:58 PM »

Hey, Thanks for posting those pict's. That looks like a great way to set of a little cannon. Simple to. I think a couple of my boomers are going to get set up like that. Thanks again,

intoodeep · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2005, 02:59:51 PM »

guardsgunner,

There are no markings on the naval cannon. We fiqure that it is probably of English origin. The barrel is 18th Century with below center trunnions, the carriage is probably mid 19 century. The firing lock and bronze vent bushing were probably added to the tube, mid 19th century, also, about the same time it was mounted on its existing carriage.

As, for the breechloaders age and origin, they are unknown to us at this time (30+ years later). However, I did come across a photo on the internet of this same type cannon about 4 days before I got the photo and for the life of me I can not find my way back.

Fred · « **Reply #15 on:** March 16, 2005, 06:03:14 PM »

Intodeep, there is no way you could use up to much space on this forum, by posting to many pictures, like the ones you have so graciously shared.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2005, 12:39:46 AM »

Quote from: Fred

Intodeep, there is no way you could use up to much space on this forum, by posting to many pictures, like the ones you have so graciously shared.

Amen!

intoodeep · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2005, 06:06:29 PM »

guardsgunner,

I finally found the web page that has the details on that type of breechloader.

http://www.ruble-enterprises.com/cgi-local/show_item.pl?number=24911

Hope that helps.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2005, 01:11:51 AM »

Intoodeep -

Fascinating set of pictures of the "bag" gun.

Of partircular note is the steel obduration disk. I wonder in the lockup sequence if there isn't a cam or set of threads that would force it forward to seal better. That (with blackpowder) would be a great asset in keeping the sliding breach block clean.

AND the magic date 1898!

Double D · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2005, 01:56:44 AM »

My guess is that there is a crankhandle involved. There are three square drive screws. The one on top of the breech is a guide pin and probably stationary until the breech block needs removed, then it comes out to release the breech block. The one on the side of the brrech block is of course the screw breech closing screw. The one on the back is to lock the breech by going into the corresponding hole on the breech block.

It also appears to have two means of firing. A traditional barrel mounted vent and some sort of firing mechanism through the breech block. The cutoff on the breech may be for attaching the firing mechanism and for the rear sight. That Mechamism is not shown or is missing

That's my S.W.A.G.

Preacher_of_Boom · « **Reply #20 on:** May 01, 2007, 07:26:21 AM »

Quote from: intoodeep on March 14, 2005, 05:44:30 PM

It would be nice to have them now. Better than a 401K.....

So this is why you are "intoodeep." That is some precious metal.

Double D · « **Reply #21 on:** May 01, 2007, 08:29:26 AM »

...and I still like that lock!

intoodeep · « **Reply #22 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:31:10 AM »

Quote from: Preacher_of_Boom on May 01, 2007, 07:26:21 AM

Quote from: intoodeep on March 14, 2005, 05:44:30 PM
It would be nice to have them now. Better than a 401K.....

So this is why you are "intoodeep." That is some precious metal.

Holy Smokes! The past has come back to haunt me....

I forgot about that old posting. Anyway, the "intoodeep" thing is just something that I seem to get into all the time. I don't know why but, it just seems to happen....

DD,

I like that lock system too. I'm surprised that I didn't end up breaking it as a wee one since, I liked to flip it back and forth. I know that's a NO NO now.....

dominick · « **Reply #23 on:** May 01, 2007, 12:46:52 PM »

intoodeep, WOW!!!!!

Blaster · « **Reply #24 on:** May 01, 2007, 01:35:07 PM »

Intoodeep, sure glad that you cared to share with us. Outstanding pix and please be sure to post any more that you can locate and care to share with us...Blaster (Bob in So. CO)

EL Caz 66 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 01, 2007, 02:06:19 PM »

Intoodeep, Yes, Thank you for sharing these outstanding photo's and wonderful family memories..

Ed

intoodeep · « **Reply #26 on:** May 01, 2007, 02:32:00 PM »

Thanks Again to everyone for the good word. It does make for quite the memory. I did dig up a couple more photos.

This Cannonade ended up sitting on our front porch.

Now, this one is the kicker..... Believe it or, not the photo below is of the Mt. Howitzer in as purchased condition. This is the same cannon (after restoration) as in my original post with me as a wee one standing next to it.

radio2 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 01, 2007, 05:31:36 PM »

Thanks intoodeep, I sure enjoyed the pics.