Posted on 02/05/2006 11:19:46 PM PST by Cannoneer No. 4
For those of you unfamiliar with cannon artillery talk, a 12 pound Mountain Howitzer cannon was a small cannon used during the Civil War. The early mt howitzer cannons were originally designed to be disassembled and packed into the mountains on horseback, hence the name, Mountain Howitzer. 12 pound Mountain Howitzer Cannon
For those of you unfamiliar with cannon artillery talk, a 12 pound Mountain Howitzer cannon was a small cannon used during the Civil War. The early mt howitzer cannons were originally designed to be disassembled and packed into the mountains on horseback, hence the name, Mountain Howitzer. The later model Mountain Howitzers, like this one, were built on a carriage designed to be "pulled" by horses.
The "pound" designation ( 12 pdr ) in the name " 12 pound Mountain Howitzer " refers to the weight of the projectile that the mt howitzer cannon shoots. Therefore, a 12 pound Mountain Howitzer ( 12 pdr ) shoots a 12 pound cannonball. All artillery cannons with smooth bore barrels were described in the "pound" weight of their projectiles and were called "Cannons." ( like the 12 pound Mountain Howitzer Cannon ) Artillery cannons with rifled barrels were described in the "inch" of their bore diameters and called "Guns." ( like a 3 inch Gun )
First, let me start by saying that I'm pretty sure that it may not be entirely legal to use a Mountain Howitzer Cannon for deer hunting, at least not here in Wisconsin. ( I didn't actually ask the DNR about using a Mountain Howitzer, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't like it ) Be sure to check with your own State Hunting regulations, ...... ( see the "Hunting with Artillery section )
(Excerpt) Read more at buckstix.com ...
Cool post.
A buddy of mine had a two pounder that he used to target shoot with. He added a steel liner to the barrel and used sash weights from old windows as projectiles.
He also has a 30-foot mural on his barn of an Eagle holding a banner reading "The right to keep and bear arms."
For me personally, a Boys ATR would be better for deer hunting than a pack howitzer.
Hehehehe....
I know that Doonesbury is officially out of favor here on FR, but I can't help but think about that strip when Duke is showing off his gun collection to an NRA rep.
"...and that's my 81 mm mortar."
"You use a mortar for deer hunting?"
"Yeah, I like to soften up an area before I hunt it."
"Isn't that rather rough on the trophy?"
"Yeah, but it saves time. I'm a busy man."
Most folks here in the gun crazy South look at me a little funny when they see me going deer hunting with my M-14. I'm sure a mt. Howitzer would cause some consternation, but it IS a muzzleloader with iron sights and should be OK for primitive weapons season.
I found this site several months ago, the THE COEHORN MORTAR CANNON FERAL CAT HUNT had me laughing so hard I almost fell out of my chair....
I am one of those who is unfamilar with artillery cannon talk, so I found the descriptions interesting and informative. I did witness an interesting use of a cannon last summer, however.
I was visiting a rancher who has an amazing collection of 19th Century firearms used in the West--bufffalo guns (and he does have some buffalo which he shoots from time to time, BTW); Winchester and Springfield rifles and carbines; Colt .45 6-shooters, etc. Hundreds of them.
He also has a cannon. I don't know the description, but it is the kind the calvary used in the late 1800's--so it may well date to the Civil War. It is pretty big and mounted on wheels like the one in your pictures.
Anyway, there was this HUGE bee hive in a tree close to his house and the noise was bothersome, so he filled the cannon with Seven Dust, aimed at the bee hive and let her rip. It covered the whole tree, knocked a bunch of little limbs off and a couple of bigger ones. It also solved the bee problem.
So I guess this is how to hunt bees in Texas with a U.S Calvary Army Cannon.
Not your normal 'beehive' round, imo....(LOL!)
Most artillery used in the Indian Wars was left over from the War of Northern Aggression. Mountain Howitzers often accompanied cavalry.
This is a very nice thread....thanks for posting.
BTW, can you please include me in your artillery ping list?
Please add me to your arty ping list.
TIA.
L
As did the German sportsmen in Bavaria, when I showed up for an invited hunt for roe deer with my military-issued M14.
Outraged at my utter lack of sportsmanship for my intent to massacre poor bambichen with my sturmgewehr
, I pointed out thefact that I had not brought along a magazine, and expected to do my work with a single shot. Accordingly, I explained, I wanted to use the rifle with which I was most familiar and most practiced, and offered to demonstrate my ability with it.
It was not necessary; I received apologies from all around, except from the old huntmeister and forester who had told me to bring something I could really shoot... and who himself used areworked wartime kar 98k German military rifle.
If by any chance I'mnot on your F.A. & Mortar ping list, kindly add me.
But it seems you've left one other important indirect fire weapon out of the subject heading.
Very nice. But you should really use enough gun.
WOW...what gun is that? Is it is a vehicle-mounted fully automatic rifle of some kind.....
Kind of looks like a longer version of the .50 cal rifles.
Looks like a Lahti 20mm anti-tank rifle (WWII).
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