W. Va. dad makes son cannon to fulfill birthday wish

Charleston Daily Mail ^ | August 29, 2009 | Times West Virginian

[anymouse]

Mike Daugherty asked his 11-year-old son Logan what he wanted for his birthday.

The boy said, "I want a cannon."

Dad didn't scoff at Logan's request by saying, "How about a hippopotamus instead," as a Christmas song from another era lamented.

No, Daugherty is not that kind of guy. He granted his son's wish and built him a Civil War-era cannon not a model, the real deal. The howitzer fires and rivals anything seen at Civil War reenactments across the country. He said it took him about two weeks to build and is worth about $6,000.

"It looks like something right out of the battle at Gettysburg," Daugherty said. The cast iron and steel 4-inch gun barrel is 36 inches long. It is mounted on a wooden gun carriage with two 36- inch diameter wheels. The cannon weighs about 700 pounds, so it is not something Logan will be able to carry to school in his backpack.

"I've always been interested in the Civil War and cannons, so I thought it would be a good gift," the boy said.

Daugherty said his son is very mature and would be able to handle the responsibility of owning a piece of artillery.

"He's a good kid. One thing about my son he has a great respect for guns and weapons, so he will not be firing this anytime soon without an adult present."

Daugherty said he is not worried about the federal government coming to get his son's cannon because he has spoken to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the National Security Agency. Though Daugherty said he is still stunned that he had to get clearance from the NSA for the archaic artillery piece, it is legal to own such a cannon because it does not use a firing pin or is breach loaded. He said the government does not consider the weapon a threat.

Two days after the family celebrated Logan's 11th birthday, father and son offered a field demonstration of the new cannon to the Times West Virginian on Tuesday. The cannon had never been fired. While Daugherty is an accomplished machinist, there was an element of danger involved in packing a virgin gun barrel full of gunpowder and lighting the fuse. Sometimes cannons blew up during the Civil War, sending shrapnel flying every which way.

And then there is the boom. Anyone who has been to a Civil War reenactment knows that sound shakes the ground and rattles the rib cage.

Daugherty and Logan placed the cannon on top of a grassy hill overlooking Fairmont.

"Any rebels charging up this hill would be in trouble with a cannon like this at the top," Logan said.

Daugherty packed the gunpowder into the barrel and used a blow torch to light a long, spindly fuse reminiscent of a firecracker. As soon as the grey smoke started chasing the spark, everyone covered their ears and stepped away far away and possibly even prayed.

Nothing happened.

The spark went into the chamber, but there was no boom. Anyone with muzzle loader or firecracker experience knows that just because there isn't smoke doesn't mean the thing isn't about to explode.

After a few tense moments, Daugherty cautiously approached the cannon. He took a deep breath and packed the gun powder tighter. He lit another fuse and everyone backed away again, though not as far.

"This time for sure," Daugherty said.

More smoke, but nothing. At this point there were two options: the cannon was going to go boom or not. Sounds simple, but the bigger question was if Daugherty wanted to tempt fate one more time. He steeled his resolve and said, "What's the point of building a cannon if it doesn't fire."

Clever and lucky man that Daugherty is, he discovered that the thick paper was not the best padding needed for igniting the gun powder. The problem was solved when he used scraps of the Times WV.

Seconds after he lit the fuse the third time, everyone backed away.

The blank inside the barrel went boom and a canon was born.

Dad and son were happy the cannon fired, but wanted to kick it up a notch. Instead of a cannon ball, they popped in an unsuspecting golf ball into the gun barrel.

"I wonder how far it will go," Dad said.

A moment or two after the fuse was lit, there was a loud boom just before the golf ball split the sky and landed about 600 yards away. The nauseating smell of sulfur invaded the nose as the fog of war cleared the field.

Father and son smiled. The cannon was a hit.

"Thanks," Logan said.

[anymouse]

Daugherty said he is not worried about the federal government coming to get his son's cannon because he has spoken to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the National Security Agency. Though Daugherty said he is still stunned that he had to get clearance from the NSA for the archaic artillery piece, it is legal to own such a cannon because it does not use a firing pin or is breach loaded. He said the government does not consider the weapon a threat.

Modern day "come and take it" story.

[Ben Mugged]

I am available for adoption. I want a minigun for my birthday.

[DoughtyOne]

Is ten minutes taken yet? I want in. LOL

[decimon]

Daugherty said his son is very mature and would be able to handle the responsibility of owning a piece of artillery.

Ah, 11-year-old boys and their cannons. The good old days. Why, I remember when we would bring our cannons to school for some dinosaur hunting after.

[Constitution Day]

What a COOL dad!

[Leg Olam]

Next to the sweet scent of new mowed alfalfa and the honest one of a clean stable the ‘nauseating’ smell of black powder is one of my favorites.

[Species8472]

And then there is this classic thread:

Blackpowder, bowling balls and sewer pipe! (Fire in the hole!!!)

[Fido969]

Some kids have ALL the luck!

[DieHard the Hunter]

Looking at the photo and working the slide-rule, 4” x 36” is a very small gun by any man’s standard.

What sort of payload would such a weapon have delivered during the Civil War? Presumably grapeshot or somesuch anti-personnel load?

[ArrogantBustard]

The nauseating smell of sulfur invaded the nose as the fog of war cleared the field.

Anyone who finds the smell of burnt gunpowder "nauseating" is a red communist; a prissy, effeete, whinging faggot; and worst of all ... a democRat.

[GulfBreeze]

700 pounds of iron and a load of gunpowder to send a golf ball 600 yards? Come on Tiger does that every sunday with two wacks from a thin metal stick.

LOL

No really. Cool cool story. Very cool.

[ClearCase_guy]

"Dad! Dad! There's a guy from ACORN coming up the drive!"

"Well, son, I think you can handle this."

[Nathan Zachary]

I wonder if he rifled the barrel for a more modern artillery shell that may be on the drawing board, something that goes boom where it lands?

[tarheelswamprat]

Daugherty said he is not worried about the federal government coming to get his son's cannon because he has spoken to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the National Security Agency. Though Daugherty said he is still stunned that he had to get clearance from the NSA for the archaic artillery piece, it is legal to own such a cannon because it does not use a firing pin or is breach loaded. He said the government does not consider the weapon a threat.

That all sounds well and good, but I hope he had the presence of mind to get those BATF and NSA "okays" in writing...

[NaughtiusMaximus]

I am available for adoption. I want a minigun for my birthday.

You used to be able to buy plans for a .22 cal small scale replica of a Gatling gun which any reasonably competent machinist could build.

Fasten said Gatling to solid base, add simple chain drive in place of crank, connect chain to starter motor w/12 volt battery and, viola!, a minigun.

Remember, when you test fire, black helicopters will show up and follow you home.

[GeorgiaDawg32]

"700 pounds of iron and a load of gunpowder to send a golf ball 600 yards? Come on Tiger does that every sunday with two wacks ONE whack from a soft 7 iron if the wind is behind him..

it would take me 3 solid whacks with a freakin 3 wood IF I nailed the ball each time..

[Leg Olam]

Civil War field cannons delivered three basic loads. Solid shot for defensive breastworks, canister or grapeshot for masses of men and exploading ball shot with a fuse cut to a certain length to detonate overhead. Naval artillery or ‘guns’ as they were called used various designed loads for ripping up rigging and masts.

[ArrogantBustard]

A 4" field piece could have fired solid shot, shell, or (most commonly) cannister. At close range, it might have been "double shotted", that is loaded with two cannister instead of the usual one. Its job was shredding opposing infantry and cavalry.

The large wheels allow for easy transportation. The gun is relatively light and relatively easily maneuvered, to (sort of) keep pace with infantry.

[raybbr]

Imagine what this could do to advance infantry...