Canon barrel

bvieira · 3rd September 2018, 05:59 PM

Hello,

Not expert in cannons but it seems to me a british design cannon, sec 18 or 19.

Regards,

BV

M ELEY · 4th September 2018, 04:10 AM

BV is right that it could be as 'new' as early 19th century, possibly British. I would place it between mid-18th to first decade of 19th. As far as cleaning it, everyone has different opinions on that. Because this piece is already in a deep state of corrosion (stabilized), perhaps just oiling it? If you really want the brown rust gone, perhaps steel wool or fine grip sandpaper with oil. I would be afraid the wire brush might clean away the dark patina and leave a 'shiny area' unpleasing to the eye-

Here's a British swivel, circa War of 1812. Note the elevated block surrounding the firing hole, similar to yours...

AHorsa · 5th September 2018, 01:31 PM

Thanks guys!
Here is another similar piece, which shows the same remains of the swivel bar as mine:
http://nautarch.tamu.edu/CRL/Report10/gun.html

Best regards
Andreas

M ELEY · 6th September 2018, 02:12 AM

Perfect! As the article mentions, these could fire a small ball (Rev War pieces even a 2 pound ball!) and small clusters of shot (partridge shot). It was not unheard of to load with nails, bits of scrap and even broken glass if in a pinch!

fernando · 6th September 2018, 01:32 PM

Perhaps to use a single ball but, with a bore of 33 m/m. Deducting the windage, would lodge an ammo with less that 30 m/m, resulting in a weight of, roughly speaking, less than 80 grams iron (or some 120 grams lead), as fit for short-range anti-personnel ordnance.

4th September 2018, 04:10 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	BV is right that it could be as 'new' as early 19th century, possibly British. I would place it between mid-18th to first decade of 19th. As far as cleaning it, everyone has different opinions on that. Because this piece is already in a deep state of corrosion (stabilized), perhaps just oiling it? If you really want the brown rust gone, perhaps steel wool or fine grip sandpaper with oil. I would be afraid the wire brush might clean away the dark patina and leave a 'shiny area' unpleasing to the eye- Here's a British swivel, circa War of 1812. Note the elevated block surrounding the firing hole, similar to yours... Attached Images

3rd September 2018, 05:59 PM	#1
bvieira Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 108	Hello, Not expert in cannons but it seems to me a british design cannon, sec 18 or 19. Regards, BV

5th September 2018, 01:31 PM	#3
AHorsa Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Rhineland Posts: 375	Thanks guys! Here is another similar piece, which shows the same remains of the swivel bar as mine: http://nautarch.tamu.edu/CRL/Report10/gun.html Best regards Andreas

6th September 2018, 02:12 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Perfect! As the article mentions, these could fire a small ball (Rev War pieces even a 2 pound ball!) and small clusters of shot (partridge shot). It was not unheard of to load with nails, bits of scrap and even broken glass if in a pinch!

6th September 2018, 01:32 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Perhaps to use a single ball but, with a bore of 33 m/m. Deducting the windage, would lodge an ammo with less that 30 m/m, resulting in a weight of, roughly speaking, less than 80 grams iron (or some 120 grams lead), as fit for short-range anti-personnel ordnance.