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.
OOOOOOOO, an evil black assault cannon.
THanks for the link.
The Mythbusters make a cannon this last year - machined the ‘breech’ from a solid steel billet. Must be nice to have your own machine shop.... used a shotgun shell to measure out the powder.
42 mm is not exactly small in my book.
“I believe you probably need licensing to lawfully make any gun as well. “
Only if for resale... as in “engaged in the business”.
> 42 mm is not exactly small in my book.
(grin!) 4” is a decent caliber for sure, but 36” is a short barrel. Sorta like a snub-nosed .45?
Still can. See www.gatlingguns.net. I think Home Shop Machinist magazine did a series of articles on building one.
Thanks for the ping, PE
Apologies if I have already sent these links
http://www.buckstix.com/howitzer.htm
http://www.buckstix.com/CoehornMortarHunt.htm
Less than two months to the TCMS IV
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
One for you. This one deserves it’s own thread. LOL.
Pennsylvania Man Accidentally Fires Cannonball Into Neighbor’s House
Friday, September 04, 2009
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UNIONTOWN, Pa. — A Pennsylvania history buff who recreates firearms from old wars accidentally fired a 2-pound cannonball through the wall of his neighbor’s home.
Fifty-four-year-old William Maser fired a cannonball Wednesday evening outside his home in Georges Township that ricocheted and hit a house 400 yards away.
The cannonball, about two inches in diameter, smashed through a window and a wall before landing in a closet. Authorities say nobody was hurt.
State police charged Maser with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
No one answered the phone Friday at Maser’s home. He tells WPXI-TV recreating 19th century cannons is a longtime hobby. He says he is sorry and he will stop shooting them on his property, about 35 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
Wow...why isn’t he my dad?? Hey Dad, next year I want the USS Missouri!
Yes, needs its own thread. lol
Does insurance cover this?
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