Posted on 08/31/2009 12:09:21 PM PDT by 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.
If I understand the law correctly, this device could (without legal repercussions) be loaded with shot or canister. Shell, however, would constitute a “Destructive Device” and be subject to all manner of NFA nonsense.
Perfect for DC Tea Party!
Pray for the T Party Express
I’m a former CW reenactor, and what this untrained moron has built is very dangerous to both him and his son, as well as to anyone else in its general vicinity when fired.
BTW, the National Security Agency could care less about CW repro cannons. It’s concern is communications and cryptology. This guy’s lying.
Awesome Dad, very cool.
My Dad took me to see a cannon fired when I was a kid at Mackinaw Island and some Civil War reenactments here is SE MI, battle of Raisn river IIRC.
Building a cannon would have been fun.
Coolest Dad EVER ping.
Daugherty said his son is very mature and would be able to handle the responsibility of owning a piece of artillery
Now son, put away your cannon and wash up for dinner....
...or you don't get the car keys to go pick up your teacher.
He’s dangerous and just an accident waiting to happen. He should contact a Civil War reenactment group and get some expert advice before he loses an arm. The use of paper and trying to pack the powder almost crippled him.
The cannon is a half scale if anything. He could have easily bought one and it wouldn’t have cost 6,000 dollars.
Chicago light Artillery First Illinois Regiment - Check my profile page.
I posted before I read your’s. Absolutely an educated moron who will be lucky he doesn’t kill/cripple his kid or his self.
My first muzzle loading cannon was a huge carbide cannon I made from a washing machine transmission case and a piece of 2” pipe. Could shoot an apple 100 yards. Moved up to a 2-1/2” bore blackpowder cannon in college - made it on the shop lathe. Next was a replica 2 pounder from Dixie Gun Works. Lovely things but Mrs NHD really doesn’t like me firing them in the backyard.
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.
Post #5 ROFL
what this untrained moron has built is very dangerous to both him and his son, as well as to anyone else in its general vicinity when fired.
Cannon Accidents Reported or Recapped from 1996-2003
Moreover, very specific procedures need to be followed by a well-trained, qualified artillery crew in order to safely fire a piece:
STANDARD LIVING HISTORY ASSOCIATION CIVILWAR ARTILLERY DRILL MANUAL
He used paper for his powder bag. That’s insane. Modern reenactors use aluminum foil. He also should have poured water into the barrel after the misfire and started over. He probably didn’t pierce the bag before he lit the fuse.
The fuse is also a no-no because it leaves residue. He should have used a small amount of powder at the touchhole and used a linstock which is a fuse at the end of a staff.
From the photograph, I don’t see his water bucket for cleaning and swabbing the barrel after each shot.
He’s an accident waiting to happen. I hope it’s not his kid.
Sounds like his problems are in process and materials, not the cannon itself.
I cringed a little when he ramrodded it after it failed to discharge. Good way to lose some fingers.
Obviously not how one is supposed to treat a hangfire!
Tamping it again is a good way to lose your arms.
Sure sound like he didn’t know what he was doing.
My Civil War club has the original home movie from the 1970’s where the limber box blew up. The line didn’t have a dead zone and the limber box didn’t have a short enough chain so it couldn’t be left open like it was. Either a spectator threw in a cigarette or a nearby cannon threw a spark.
I saw the movie and the dead victim laying on the ground. It took a long time for the ambulance to come out for the others. It was nothing more than a station wagon.
Stupid and sad.
He had better find a VERY good hiding place. Hussein’s boys will not like this birthday present!
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