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Aubullet	Open for suggestions	Lead	[-]
Posts: 1381 (11/03/09 12:21 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None What cannon or mortar should I try making for my next project this coming winter? I made a 1/8th scale early 10 lb Parrott last winter, and have the metal and resource material available to do something similar again this year. My short list includes a Napoleon, Ordinance, Dahlgren, Brooke, Blakely, James, Wiard or possibly a late model 3" Parrott. Maybe even a Naval carriage gun should be considered. It is also possible that I could make a similar model of an 1841 Seige Mortar in a near scale golf ball caliber. The piece of brass that could be used for that is 3.5" dia x 4" long making it just a little too short for perfect scale, but very acceptable for stand off scale, if a bit of finagling is done in the area about the trunnions. Any ideas???
cujo		#1	[-]
Posts: 228 (11/03/09 02:00 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Aubullet I like your idea of the siege mortar. I made the same one you are talking about but mine is in .50 small enough so I can shoot in my yard. You already have a parrott go for the mortar that way you have a representation of field artillery and heavy siege artillery. Or even look into a Coehorn mortar? Just a thought. Mike
Aubullet		#2	[-]
Posts: 1382 (11/03/09 02:53 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Mike I do already have 1" and 3/8" caliber Naval Mortars, as well as the Bowling Ball Mortar. For that matter there is also a 1/8th scale 1841 6 lb cannon and 1/16th scale Napoleon, James and Whitworth in .22 & .17 caliber in my collection. Those first two shoot pellets, and I've been known to use them for indoor target practice on a rainy day or dark winters eve. There's also an assortment of Naval Cannon in 3/8" and 1/2" bore, along with the 1" Swivel Gun that got the LEO's so excited back on the 4th of July. Probably should have included a 12 lb Howitzer in my earlier posting. Obviously, nothing more is really needed, but what does that have to do with anything, when considered in the greater scheme of things?!?! Last Edited By: Aubullet 11/03/09 03:13 PM. Edited 1 times.
cujo		#3	[-]
Posts: 229 (11/03/09 10:36 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hmmm... Sounds like your pretty good at building them... other than a mortar i did like your idea of the napolean what scale did you have in mind yourself for another? And where do you fire a bowling ball mortar you must have a lot of open ground. I wish i had that kind of room. Mike
Aubullet		#4	[-]
Posts: 1383 (11/04/09 12:02 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	For the Civil War era field guns which are my preference, 1/8th scale is as large as my little watch makers lathe will let me go. That works out well because for many years Dixie sold, and probably still does, a 1/8th scale model of the 1841 6 lb field gun, and I use it's carriage for my other barrels as well. The Napoleon used a slightly larger carriage, so I suppose it is time to get around to building a proper wooden one for it, though I'll likely still use Dixie's cast aluminum wheels. As for the my "Bowling Alley" I have a piece of land, out in a remote valley about 35 miles North of town, that is essentially unoccupied and my place is surrounded by BLM grazing land for many miles in all directions. I have a 1000 yd rifle range set up out there, with nothing but gravity for a backstop, and could just as easily have 2000 or 3000 or more yard target stands if I wanted. I have enough trouble consistently hitting the mid-range targets at 600 yds and over, so I've never felt much need to go past 1000 yds. The Bowling Balls do easily exceed 1000 yds however, with any charge approaching half a pound of BP. There are also a few nice little side canyons in the foot of the mountains just East of town, that work well for local "Bowling" events, when there is a group wanting to participate, or when I'm snowed out of my own place. In reference to a comment in the Parallax View thread regarding the upcoming Charlotte Rifle Match; I may well live on the "Wrong Coast", but I certainly live in the right place!!!
cujo		#5	[-]
Posts: 230 (11/04/09 01:20 AM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Huh That's cool that you have that much space like that around. See if i did have anything bigger than my 50cal mortar i would have no place to go other than the Allegheny National Forest which is about 128 miles north from where I live. The state police in that area sometimes watch people for their enjoyment fire half and full scale cannons there... Come to think of it when I start using lathes at school i know I will have several projects in mind. One thing I can do is make a good looking carriage for a mortar and cannon. Plenty of tools for that at home. But my next project is going to be a cannon that i will make out of one of those muzzle loader pistol barrels. That I think would make a neat mini parrott gun. Then just add those aluminum wheels you where talking about from dixie... Just need to ask Santa for some supplies... ( more like myself ). Mike
nothernug		#6	[-]
Posts: 11512 (11/04/09 11:44 AM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	What is your Dahlgren mounted on? Build anything on a Barbette mount yet? There's the big Rodman guns to accompany that Dahlgren. Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Aubullet		#7	[-]
Posts: 1384 (11/04/09 12:57 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Nug I don't have a Dahlgren yet, I just listed it as a possible project for this coming winter, mostly because of that. You are correct that I should have included a Rodman in my list, but I tend to think of them as a type of Dahlgren in that they have a similar "pressure bottle" shape. I'm not sure if I have a useable set of dimensions for a Rodman, but I can get them. A fortification piece on a barbette mount would be a natural for shooting off the bench rest tables down at the local range. What a hoot that would be, if I could get it to group well, because of the precise return to battery offered by this type of mounting. Good idea, I've thought of it before but just sort of let it slip away. Thanks for the reminder!
The Double D		#8	[-]
Posts: 93 (11/10/09 03:03 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Well you say you have a piece of Brass, so that means Napolean, 6 PDR, or 12 PDR. Mortar wise, how about a mortar in popcan diameter. I have one that I also have a round ball mould for that I cast zinc in. Click on this picture Douglas ******* To find things Martini go to:Martini Internet Resource List** Last Edited By: The Double D 11/10/09 03:12 PM. Edited 3 times.
Aubullet		#9	[-]
Posts: 1402 (11/10/09 04:19 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have the 1/8th scale 6 pounder (model 1841) from the Dixie kit and it is really pretty nice. A Napoleon is certainly in the works but it does require a slightly different carriage. My brass piece for a mortar is nowhere near big enough (nor is my lathe) for a soda can launcher, but It should just about be perfect for the golf ball caliber mortar I have in mind. I do all my barrels in brass as it is so nice to work with and highly corrosion resistant too. I know my Parrott is supposed to be a cast iron barrel with a wrought iron reinforce, but it is in actuality a mild brass barrel with a naval bronze reinforce, which I could easily paint black were I so disposed, but it is so darn beautiful as is, I just can't bring myself to paint it. That's a great mini-Dictator you have there! What are the specs (bore, charge, weight, etc.) and the source? I really like how quick your fuse is, definitely much safer than a slow fuse around people! Based on the video footage, that is one rapid fire mortar! LOL!!! Last Edited By: Aubullet 11/10/09 04:29 PM. Edited 1 times.
The Double D		#10	[-]
Posts: 94 (11/10/09 05:29 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	This is a Dictator made by Dom Caprpenter. It weights 92 pounds I use 150 grais of cannon grade to to send a round ball 100 yards. The fuse is quill made with paper straws and 4 Fg on two side sticky tape. Douglas ******* To find things Martini go to:Martini Internet Resource List**
The Double D		#11	[-]
Posts: 95 (11/13/09 08:33 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Aubullet, I have a set of scale drawings for the Dictator that I would be willing to share: Douglas ******* To find things Martini go to:Martini Internet Resource List**
Aubullet		#12	[-]
Posts: 1437 (11/18/09 02:26 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	DD Thank you for the image of the Model Dictator blue print. Very Kind! Due possibly to scanner issues, there are numerous dimensions that I can't quite make out, but most of the basic ones I can read okay! They show a slightly different proportion of length to diameter than do my plans from an original, but so close as to be invisible without careful measurement. The L/D ratio of your plan is actually just a bit more favorable to my project than the originals were, so if I do go that way, I'll likely be closer to your dimensions. Again it seems that my best bet, due to the dimensional limitations of the material I have on hand, is to go for the M1841 pattern mortar, as with the trunnions at the base instead of on the side, I can better fudge my L/D ratio to match my stock piece. All the other dimensions will be a more proper scale in this configuration, so it seems this is best. Now I'll just have to see if my little lathe can really swing this 3.5" diameter piece of brass and make cuts on it without hurting itself too badly?!?! But certainly, I do appreciate the input, and someday I may well do a larger scale Dictator if a suitable piece of material comes my way, and access to something bigger than my watchmakers lathe becomes available! Thanks again!!!
The Double D		#13	[-]
Posts: 96 (11/18/09 02:51 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Oh I didn't intend for you to build anything from that "pitcher!" It was just to wet your whistle! Send me a pm with your email addres and I will send the entire packet, several pages in a readable for. Douglas ******* To find things Martini go to:Martini Internet Resource List**

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