Live Fire With a Civil War Cannon

[TheBullMoose95]

Something that takes two hours in 2011, took thirty seconds in 1861.

[ablethreefourbravo]

Bully!

[orpheus1814]

Ramming with a handspike? Why??

[sousswine]

@orpheus1814 It's not a handspike. It's a safety rammer designed to rip fewer of your digits off in the event of a premature detonation.

[orpheus1814]

@sousswine With a safety-conscious gun crew and proper precautions (tending the vent with a moistened thumbstall, worming, sponging the barrel between rounds, holding the rammer with palms up), a period-correct rammer should be just fine. I've served as cannonneer #2 on a number of muzzle loaders for years and trust in training, proper equipment, and St. Barbara. Good luck with your 6-pounder, it looks like a fine piece.

[wjp255]

Awesome!!

[Scoutrussp7]

Long, long time ago, when cannons were real cannons...

[MauserKar98k]

Great vid!

[Demon69UK]

Are you not all a bit mutton?

[MrHelmyabdullah]

Cooooooooooooooooool

[MeAtLoAfInTime]

Seeing that ball flying was pretty intense. Imagining myself back in the Napoleonic or Civil War era with those things whipping through the ranks...utterly terrifying!

Great vid!

[mgibbs88]

Can you go hunting with one?

[Boredout454]

Funny everyone was acting so careful around the black powder charge and doing a very diligent and careful job of putting in the charge and cannon ball and ramming it in. Back in the day they would have been flying and firing as fast as possible. Thumbs Up if you would love to see a long line of 50+ cannons firing real cannon balls at a target one right after another just like they were.

[24thvolunteer]

learn proper drill.

[Stantzs]

Is that bronze?

[gamepowners88]

@Stantzs i think it is :D hope it dont melts from the heat XD

[xvoy2002]

You guys sure have a fun hobby.



[Greno]

very accurate considering the family history of cannons!!

please do one where you shoot a car from long range! that would be awesome!

[ac3b1s]

was this things shoot against infantry or just against enemy forts ? I would wounder what this cannon ball can do against infantry that was in this time still marshing into formations into battle

[BjoernKarlsson]

Lovely accuracy! :)

[fir3pimp]

that cannon is awfully narrow to squeeze a circus midget into

[61loneviking]

Nice shooting and beautiful cannon! My CW group live fires our 6 lbers with 1.5lbs of black powder behind the ball and we can hit targets out at 900 yards with that charge. We've also tried speedloading and can get a round off about every 40 seconds. During the CW, an experienced gun crew would be firing a round every 30 seconds. Amazing firepower in these cannons!

[Tlax13]

Beautiful and terrifying weapon

[paulchukc]

I wonder why a musket fired ball projectile couldn't shoot accurately at 200 yards distance, yet a smooth bore cannon ball could achieve reasonable accuracy? Is it because cannon balls are bigger and heavier?

[mzmadmike]

@paulchukc That's part of it. The more massive ball is less subject to deflection, and any casting irregularities are evened out. Though smoothbore muskets with a snug fit are more accurate than people think they are.

[TheLegitReaper]

Gotta love the classics. :P

[chowowner1]

how much did the cannon cost and where u get it from ?? please reply someone

[sousswine]

@chowowner1 This cannon was manufactured by Marshall Steen of Steen Cannons.

[LutzDerLurch]

@sousswine Do they manufacture only Civil-war Cannons, or can they also make others as well. And are they Cast?

[LutzDerLurch]

@sousswine Do you know of a Company making Cannons from bronze only?

[johnnyjoeiv]

@LutzDerLurch To answer all three of your questions: Marshall Steen's cannons are cast solid, then bored, and I believe he might manufacture a few Revolutionary-period guns in addition to the mid-19th Century stuff. To my knowledge, most of his barrels are available in iron or bronze, with bronze being more expensive and more subject to pricing volatility. I don't think you can enter a URL on YouTube, so search for Steen Cannons.

[LutzDerLurch]

@johnnyjoeiv Thank you very much, Sir. I had a glimpse on their Website, and there are a few things that confuse me a little bit. I would prefer a bronze Cannon not to be lined with steel tubing etc.

[johnnyjoeiv]

@LutzDerLurch He doesn't line the bronze guns with steel, so far as I know. I believe he just lines the iron ones for safety reasons. The smoothbore in this video is not lined.

[LutzDerLurch]

@johnnyjoeiv Ah, so you are one of the Persons to eny for your Gun? :D

I have been collecting all Data available on my favourite cannon, the british light 6pounder, and can do the Woodworking myself. I have friends for the forged Iron Parts and could even make the Pattern for the Casting of the Barrel. But I am afraid it is very difficult to find Information about the correct alloy to cast such a Piece. It would be quite sad to see thousands of Euro blowing up upon proofing. :(

[johnnyjoeiv]

@LutzDerLurch That would, indeed, be unfortunate. I do know that Steen X-rays all of the barrels before he delivers them, and that the first iteration of this barrel was melted down and re-cast, as it did not pass initial quality checks. Sadly, I don't have any information about the alloy, but good luck, and let us know how it works out!

[LutzDerLurch]

@johnnyjoeiv Hi!

Well the major Problem is the very limited Budget, and I am sitting in Germany. So any purchase from the States would be made more expensive by a hefty 2X % tax fee, not to mention shipping and Handling of some 600 Pounds of Bronze.

Also, having the Gun cast here, would eliminate the costs that arise from paying a business to finifh it. Finish of the Outside can easily be done by hand files and sanding paper, as back in the old days.

[LutzDerLurch]

@johnnyjoeiv And as every Gun has to be officially proofed, and We intend to use authentic loads, the metal must be about perfect, to withstand the proofing. As far as my Research goes, the british Sixpounder was proofed with 3 lbs, of Powder, and the servicecharge was 1 1/2 lbs. and the Powder was not significantly less powerfull, it was less high quality in terms of consistenca, so one Shot might be extremely explosive compared to the next Shot from another batch of powder.

[LutzDerLurch]

@johnnyjoeiv So given the high safeguard amounts of metal of the old days combined with the undoubtedly higher quality of the casting and metallurgy, the gun if well-cast should shoot absolutely perfectly. still, it is a strage feeling to have X.000 Euros paid with a chance to blow it up...

Very difficult thing... :(

[sousswine]

@LutzDerLurch Well, obviously, you'll have a much safer gun with Bronze than you would with Iron! Why not contact Steen directly about the alloy? Also, I'm not sure what the specs are on the British 6-pounder, but this barrel required 863lbs of Bronze.

[LutzDerLurch]

@sousswine Well, the original would be of Bronze, and when bored weight roughly some 9 cwt. 1 qt. 4 lb. according to original plans. I had a nice conversation with these guys just an hour ago.an they realy seem to be nice guys with loads of knowledge. Although having a Gun made without Steel liner is a bit of gamble.

[Iceman5164]

This may be a stupid question yet... did you purchase the Cannon, did you build it yourself (Some people make Home-Made Replicas) or what? Just Curious

[merakhagen]

Is there a national competition for this kind of activities?

[SinperTheFox]

what sick man dislikes this

[gregsz1ful]

What size is the bore ans cannonball size ?

I have a 2.75 inch ball I found in the Ca. desert near Barstow. Visable rusting even though it from the desert.

[drod103164]

what does pulling the string do? how does it set fire to the powder?

[sousswine]

@drod103164 It's attached to a friction primer, a device that was simple and quick to use, yet extremely effective. It consisted of two small brass tubes, a serrated wire, friction composition, and fine, black powder. In use, the wire was hooked to the lanyard and the long tube inserted into the vent. A steady, quick pull on the lanyard dragged the serrated wire across the friction composition igniting it and setting off the black powder which flashed down the tube and vent, firing the cannon.

[gamepowners88]

@sousswine or you just say yes XD

[gregsz1ful]

Aluminum foil and blue tape. I would like to see how its really done !!

[LutzDerLurch]

@gregsz1ful as for the 1700s and military loads to maximise the power , a cylindrical bag made from Flanell, Linnen etc, was filled with the Powder (english light 6pounder: 1 1/2 Pounds of Powder). For rapidfiring there were prepared Charges where very thin Sheetmetalsprapf held the Iron Ball to a woden Sabbot, which in turn was tied to the textile Bag.

[HrafnkelHarthrathi]

I love that you are firing this at such high powder levels – unlike most reanactors these days. I hate in movies how guns have no recoil. This is the type of reenactment I want to get into. Keep it up!

[rockndude87]

@kglenn86 It will if you have good elevation to begin with...

[sousswine]

@rockndude87 Effective range with a full charge is around 1800 yards. Most of the shots in this video were from 200 yards, which is the competition range for this cannon. (Yes, it's surprising, but there are serious competitions for this). Of course, attempts at accuracy with a small-calibre smoothbore gun are slightly ridiculous; these guns were designed as anti-personell weapons in an era of close-ranks infantry. We attempt to shoot accurately just for the fun of it.

[rockndude87]

Not sure why they're firing at a target that's barely 50 yards in front of them. Those cannons could easily fire accurately at a couple miles. And at that range a soldier would mind as well be firing at them with their rifles instead....Learn to fire like the actual solders did instead...

[AardLlama]

@Crankypants:

200 yards, see reply to 8oz comment above.

Artillerymen did not have rifles :)~

[dbirdsofprey]

can you buy one of these



[soylicantropo]

How does the fuse work ???

[E2theSamps]

@soylicantropo

I've never actually fired one, but as I understand it: The shooter places a pointed pin, which creates a spark in friction, into a hole near the breech; right above where the powder is, piercing the powder container. The pin is attached to a string, which is pulled sharply, creating friction and igniting the powder. Like striking a match.

[TheOneToxic]

you can see the cannon ball even in real time, not that fast i guess

[tmntsplinterdude]

0:50 - 0:54 reminds me of sex!

[georgewashington92]

can you fire it with a canister round full on nice lead balls???

[sousswine]

@georgewashington92 Funny you should ask; we tried that for the first time this weekend. The result was pleasantly destructive.

[tulapi123]

Poor tree =(

[fiddler317]

8oz? i thought the service charge on these bad boys was much bigger.

[sousswine]

@fiddler317 True, but we're only shooting 200 yards. Effective range with a full charge is 1800 yards.

[vector6977]

That is awesome that the ball got wedged into the tree.

[ironbmike]

awesome!

love how you can see the cannonball in the air

[joemc111]

What do you think Jim is this close to the operation, that

Frank C. talked about at the CWPT?

[midgard02]

Gorgeous cannon, they are such amazing things, shame they are built to kill people.

[mzmadmike]

@midgard02 Yeah, that's kinda what cannon are for. That dichotomy must be rough for you.

[AirrowRocket]

nice work!

[novakmast21]

hey i actually got to fire one of those and i'm only 12

[kirkconway]

I always liked the 12 pound napolian, good cannon nice range too for its type and age,

[KnightOwl2006]

Fascinating stuff.

[ddog7831]

excellent video!

great footage, and great cannon!

very, very cool

[henrygreiner]

Way Cool!

[bluerazors]

Superb cannon vid! The ball in the tree! WOW!

[jangalomph]

Saw some fireing today at the South carolina gun show 1 pound an a half charge. Loudest thing i have ever heard, the shock wave was insane.

[zombieX111222333]

you should put lots of silverware in the cannon

[angelicsnoww]

nice

[beardo52]

Might try Cannon Mania, they produce guns in iron or bronze, or, Hern Ironworks they have a nice selection, but in iron only.

[tmallow2004]

I am in the process of building the carraige for a 12 pounder from scratch, soon afterwhich to acquire a barrel. This is getting me pretty excited. Nice gun. Is it home built? And where did you get the barrel?

[whtlghtn49]

Is that a Cannon Ltd 12 pounder? My uncle has the same exact one, I believe...

[sousswine]

It's actually a six-pounder from Marshall Steen.

[TristenEugene]

WHOAAA! Rediculousley cool!! Good sound and editing! Good job boys!

[soltis22]

close the vent hole gosh, people

[sousswine]

If you're referring to the shot at 2:16, good catch. But that shot is there as an editing expediency, and is not actually related to the loading shot which precedes it. Rest assured that the touch-hole was always thumbed (we've still got all our limbs).

[soltis22]

don't wanted to be an ass but i love the civil war competetion. sorry i didn't know that your competetors as well. but you got people who buy artillery pieces as well don't know what the hell they are doing.

but i am just checking out for are guys and gals.

[haydenkcole]

Incredible stuff! cheers for uploading

[yoho951]

what kind exactly is it? and where did u get? and also how much?

[bhicks1052]

Awesome! Simply awesome. I want one.

[shggyswmmer]

First off, great video. Second, I'm quite jealous, lol. Keep up the great vids yall. I look forward to more great works in the future!

[dogterd]

Thanks for posting this! I'd like to see a youtube contest between civil war cannon owners. Live fire accuracy tests at specified ranges with 6 and 12 pounders.

The accuracy of this smoothbore is very impressive.

Thanks to all who make this clip possible

[barnstormerpictures]

Fun!