Building a Front loading Black Powder canon project

[Gert Odendaal]

Good day to all members. Members here are a few photos of the canon barrels we will be using to build our own canons. I will build two canons for myself with the guidance of my mentor Johan Greyling who I am sure all knows by now... All 1200 kg of barrels

 

[bruce moulds]

gert,
what do you do in your spare time?
bruce.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Be careful or you'll have some of our brethren that aren't happy with mega calibers wanting you to build them one that's shoulder mounted.

 

[nztimb]

subscribed to follow this one Gert.

 

[BC.Pat]

Gert, your a mischievous fellow , good luck.
Built one out brass once, blew the side off it (too much powder)...

Regards
Pat

 

[BRICKBURN]

Hmmm.
I'm thinking you guys are about to add to the reenactment. (16 December 1838)

 

[Gert Odendaal]

gert,
what do you do in your spare time?
bruce.

Bruce , I do my planning for the next project, life is too short not to be busy...this project is something I really am looking forward to do, to have my own canon and shoot it regularly is great fun..we have our own canon group who get together frequently to shoot the canons on fun days ...sometimes I think I am too busy with projects...I need to slow down some time in the near future...In six years I will be changing from on permanent job that I have done for forty two years to the next permanent job we call in our country pension..maybe then will be a good time to do only five projects at once and not ten projects...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Hmmm.
I'm thinking you guys are about to add to the reenactment. (16 December 1838)


View attachment 273075

Brickburn, you are correct, Johan Greyling pointed out he would like a "soap pot" canon, it looks like "Grietjie" the Boer canon...we have access to seamless pipes that has large diameters to build these "soap pot canons"

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Gert, your a mischievous fellow , good luck.
Built one out brass once, blew the side off it (too much powder)...

Regards
Pat

Pat, Johan Greyling has collected a lot of brass to cast a solid brass canon as well..he still needs a lot of brass though..

 

[Gert Odendaal]

subscribed to follow this one Gert.

I agree Garry, this one I am really looking forward to, Johan explained we need to cut rifling as well, and manufacture the screw prop at the rear as well..all procedures that seems like very hard work...the carriage is something I really am looking forward to build, it will be a grand one, an impressive one with big cast iron wheels ...the large pipe will be an extremely long and heavy canon ...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Be careful or you'll have some of our brethren that aren't happy with mega calibers wanting you to build them one that's shoulder mounted.

No problem, I will build it they have to shoot it..

 

[CAustin]

I look forward to seeing this proj ct as it progresses. Hoe you will share photos.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Members, I am sure we will commence shortly after the black powder hunt. Our aim, ( Johan Greyling as the convener of the Black powder canon society ) wants to start a culture in the use of black powder shooting and hunting in South Africa, we need to keep the old rifles in good condition, hunt with them and teach people about how the old people did it for a living..the canon just gives a great angle to it..always nice to see the flames and hear the loud roar...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

CAustin, I will definitely share a lot of photos and short videos about the building process...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I will be building my first canon according to this example:

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I just can not get enough of the bellowing smoke and fire from a canon...

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I will be building my first canon according to this example:
View attachment 273333

So of course the most important question is will you be using a soft or solid?
.
.
.
.
.
Pfft, who am I fooling, shot placement is all that matters.....

 

[Gert Odendaal]

One hard lead ball will be the choice...

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Looks like a load of fun! An old saying comes to mind about the men and boys and the price of their toys.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

The most expensive part of the shooting canons would be the black powder..it swallows a lot of black powder to make huge flames and loud noises ...