A little 1:1 model project...

[Robert Reid]

Despite an insanely busy summer (during-which I have had zero Armortek time)... I did manage to finally complete one of my 'models' -- a 1:1 live-fire Tredegar Iron Works Mountain Rifle 2.25" Civil War cannon. Bought the cast-iron rifled tube and built the carriage (minus the wheels). This weekend, I also made all the accouterments and the loading (powder-compressing) equipment to make the powder bags.



Even thought it is 8 feet long, weighs close to 800 lbs and will drop a shell onto a target at over a mile... it's still just a big model!

Two more cannons in production... a Napoleon and a Mountain Howitzer. And two more waiting in the wings, Phoenix Iron Works 3" rifled cannons which both were at Gettysburg.

One of the carriages 'in process.'



Cheers,

RPR

[Greg Stephens]

Great work! Back in my civil war reenactment phase I came perilously close to purchasing a 10 pounder. I think it was around 10k in 94.

[Robert E Morey]

Beautiful job. Curious on the wood choice - not oak? May be too expensive for that much oak.

Would like to see progress on the Napoleon and others - very nice!
Bob

[Robert Reid]

It is, indeed Oak for the trails and axle beams.

It is not inexpensive... but compared to the tubes, the wood is kind of incidental.

The trails I make are laminated oak then band-sawed.

The cheeks are white ash, much of it has cured in my attic for 15 or more years.

Test firing today!

Cheers,

RPR

[Robert E Morey]

Robert
Sweet! Post some pix or videos!
Have fun - wear safety glasses!
Bob

[Robert Reid]

Inaugural blank shot to clean out the barrel.... fired with a fuse. Later shots taken with friction primers.

Worked like a charm!

Cheers,

RPR

[Robert Reid]

Hoping to have these two carriage restorations done by Christmas, leaving me the rest of the winter... for Armortek!!!



Full scale No. 1 Prairie Carriage... one of two that I am restoring.



Same carriage, different angle



Two carriages ready for fitting hardware to the trails and this weekend's project... wheels.

One will be for a Mountain Howitzer barrel and the other for a small Napoleon-style barrel. Both live fire...

Cheers,

RPR