Author Topic: Arsenal rebuild M-1841 42 PDR model (Read 4018 times)

Double D · « **on:** April 21, 2009, 11:43:07 AM »

Well as promised my Cairo Cannon is going in for refurbishment.

The carriage has been unpainted since it was built in 1987. The paint, put on the barrel when it was built in 1983, has been getting a little rough. It's time for a fresh coat of paint!

I pulled the barrel a couple of days ago. This the first time the barrel has been of the carriage since 87. I was a bit surprised by the condition of the gun and carriage. I found no cracks or loose fittings. The carriage is as tight as the day it was built. Not bad for a cannons that has been shot in 8 diffewrent states over 22 years.

I thought I would post some picture of the carriage so you can see what I did to build it and how it stood up.

Yes those cap squares are two different lengths...I had to know it back then, but this is the first time I noticed it in years. They are not interchangeable.

Well the refurb starts. I'll post updates as I go along.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2009, 12:38:36 PM »

I thought that was the Montanna Arsenal!

The caps are different sizes so as not to be mixed up - a common practice in machine design now-a-days. You were just ahead of your time.

Double D · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2009, 12:51:11 PM »

Quote from: Cat Whisperer on April 21, 2009, 12:38:36 PM

I thought that was the Montanna Arsenal!

The caps are different sizes so as not to be mixed up - a common practice in machine design now-a-days. You were just ahead of your time.

Yes, yes that's my story and I am sticking with it!!!

KABAR2 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2009, 04:10:43 PM »

Well I'm sure when done it will continue to give years of satisfaction
and good service

RocklockI · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2009, 05:02:10 PM »

Thats a nice one ! I have to ask ....where is the can of powder for scale .

How long is the tube ?

Double D · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2009, 05:28:54 PM »

There is a scale item in the picture...the round balls are 1 inch.

Double D · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2009, 05:34:36 PM »

Will this work?

RocklockI · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2009, 06:56:38 AM »

yep ! I saw a full scale 42lber "project gun" listed on a site that is persona nongradis here .

Cannoneer · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2009, 09:40:26 AM »

Quote from: Double D on April 21, 2009, 11:43:07 AM

I found no cracks or loose fittings.

DD, does your photo show a nut missing from one of the cheek's rear tackle eyebolts?

According to the information that Elizabeth Joyner emailed you, the carriage she lists was the mount for one of the M 1845 42 pdr rifled conversions that were originally cast in 1856, and she mentions a cap-square key chain, so you know that at least one of the carriages had the keys attached by a ring to a chain that was itself then attached to a smaller eyebolt ring on the side of the carriage cheek. Did W. Green's drawings show this feature? Considering the fact that you have never lost one of your keys after all this passed time, and the amount of shots fired, is kind of amazing; you must have really had those keys wedged in the cap-square bolts tightly.

Catalog # VICKC 2134 (Carriage)

Wood (white oak) with wood and iron fixtures (painted black); screw elevation system.

LxWxH (excluding wheels): 1.867 m x978 mm x .686 mm. Radius of wheels: 102 mm. Slightly checked. Right front wheel missing. Right key missing from chain. Screw handle missing. Salvaged with USS Cairo. Was originally located in the U.S.S. Cairo port bow position.

Catalog # VICKC 2119 (Tube) 42-PDR

Iron. Rifle. Marks: right trunnion: K & W/F.P.F. Right rim base: 312. Left trunnion: 1856. Base of breech: 8359. Muzzle face: No.28/B.H. Top, between trunnions: U.S. Pitted. History: salvaged with U.S.S. Cairo; was port bow gun.

Double D · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2009, 02:42:11 PM »

Well the missing nut was in my pocket so it could go with me to the hardware store and be exchanged for a square nut. During the rehab the all hex nuts will be replaced with square nuts.

I was thinking of replacing the slotted head screws attaching the breast piece to the transom with square head lag screws. I had decided against taking the carriage apart . THe gun has been shoot a lot and move a lot and is tight and I want it to stay that way.

Greens plans do show the keys with chain. At the time of the build I couldn't find an appropriate chain. Over the past 20 some odd years "chain for key" his not been on my mind as I went into the hardware stores. Now that the rehab is under way chain has come to mind. And, I discovered I was looking in the wrong department, I should I have looked in the costume jewelery department. I now have appropriate chain.

When I made the key slots and trunnion caps , Doug Titus told me to make the cap squares so the key forced the cap square down underload and it took a hammer to drive the key in. The capsquare are that goes over the key slot is simply angled up a bit from the angle at the trunnion relief. Without the cap square the key will almost slide through the key slot. The keys go in with a hammer and out with a hammer. The key slot and and front capsquare pivot are made by welding a piece of steel on top of a lag screw. The key slots, cap square pivot, capsquares slots and keys were all hand filed and fitted The capsquare were made with a welding torch, ball pien hammer and vice. Home black smithing at its basic level.

GGaskill · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2009, 03:14:10 PM »

Even in its third decade, that carriage looks good. And a coat (or two) of black paint will make it even better.

Double D · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2009, 04:16:50 PM »

Thanks George. Given the amount the gun has been shot, and how many times it has been moved, and I learned recently how in the mid 90's by Grand daughter when she lived with us,used to ride it like horse., it is in good shape.

That Honey locust is some strong stable wood. It seemed a bit splintery when I got it. But seems to have stood up over the years. I would like to find some of it for the 6 PDR Confederate Coehorn base when I build it.

Double D · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2009, 03:05:09 PM »

The original gun was 129 inches long. My gun is 21.5 inches long...is that 1/6 scale? Mike and Tracy fear nothing.

Double D · « **Reply #13 on:** May 09, 2009, 12:24:24 PM »

Carrige and carriage hardware got a prime coated this afternoon

Double D · « **Reply #14 on:** May 23, 2009, 06:51:20 AM »

After priming and painting last week I got the sand paper out and started over. Paint is unforgiving and all the drips and runs in the old spar varnish stood out like neon lights.

So I reprimed this morning.

I also primed the barrel.

I have also added some hardware to the carriage that was left off the original build.

I am aiming for smoke and fire in the next three weeks...My Granddaughter is coming in a week and will be here for two weeks. I want her to be the first to fire after the rebuild.

Double D · « **Reply #15 on:** May 28, 2009, 10:29:29 AM »

Refurb is complete.

Here's what the was done in Refurb.

1. Chain and rings added to cap keys.
2. Breech rope shackles added.
3. Shooting platform built.
4. Rope tackle for training block and breech rope made.
5. Vent opened to 3/16 for straw quill.
6. Carriage painted.
7. Barrel inspected and repainted.
8. Trunnion welds ground out.

Grand-daughter will be here next week and we will be making some smoke and fire.

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #16 on:** May 28, 2009, 11:12:52 AM »

DD, It was worth the wait. An excellent REFURB it is!! In fact, I bet it even became more accurate during the process. At the very least, it's striking appearance will intimidate the crews of similar guns during any competitive event. How many coats of gloss black paint were required over the light grey primer?

Lookin fine!

Mike and Tracy

KABAR2 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2009, 11:13:10 AM »

If we didn't know the scale, that looks like the real thing, if photographed in black and white

and photoshopped into a period photo I think people would be hard pressed to tell,

Great Job!

Double D · « **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2009, 11:47:54 AM »

The Carriage has a coat of primer, coat of flat black, coat of satin black, resanded, primer coat, 2 coats gloss black. Barrel is primer, then two coats of gloss black.

One other thing done on refurb, stamping.

Rt. Trunnion: DDGS
Lft.Trunnion: 1984
Rear Cascable reinforce: 43
Muzzle: No. 1
Between Trunnions: U S

It's now on display at the Ben Franklin Store at The Mall.

Thanks for the compliments, guys.

GGaskill · « **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2009, 01:28:26 PM »

It's now on display at the Ben Franklin Store at The Mall.

I can't imagine seeing something like a cannon at any mall around here (PRK).

Cannoneer · « **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2009, 08:34:18 PM »

You know Douglas, I was going to be my usual smart ••s self, and say something like: Great googly moogly he's really, truly, finally gone and put some paint on this darn carriage after only talking about putting paint on it for a quarter of a century, but then I decided no, I'm not going to do that, for once I'm going to take the high road and try and show some class.

So here goes nothin': DD, you did an excellent job on your M1845 42-pounder carriage, and even though I liked it with the natural finish, in this case I think you were right, it does look more realistic with the black painted finish. I also like the new realistic touches you added with the shackle and clevis pin breeching rope tackle and the cap-square key chains. As far as I know you're the only man with the kewpie doll button, and it wouldn't look right if you gave yourself one, so this is for you. Yeah, I know he's out of season, but it's the only one I could find that didn't look scary.

Victor3 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 29, 2009, 01:18:39 AM »

Quote from: GGaskill on May 28, 2009, 01:28:26 PM

It's now on display at the Ben Franklin Store at The Mall.

I can't imagine seeing something like a cannon at any mall around here (PRK).

Come on now. "It's easy if you try" (Beatles reference

)

Just close your eyes, and think of a handcuffed man face down on the pavement with a cannon sitting on a black and white car's hood...

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #22 on:** May 29, 2009, 01:22:02 AM »

No markings indicating the rebuild?

Max Caliber · « **Reply #23 on:** May 29, 2009, 01:36:55 AM »

Fine job, looks great.

Double D · « **Reply #24 on:** May 29, 2009, 11:38:15 AM »

Thanks, BoomJ for the Kewpie. It is appreciated.

Painting the carriage was something that had to be done, after the hole I dug for myself on this board about painting carriages. It does make a difference.

Thanks Max.

George...it's a different world up here. The Lady at the Ben Franklin want's me to come out to her place over 4th of July and shoot the cannons for her grandkids. She says it will freak her big city daughter in law out. Then she got this evil smile on her face and her husband said, she really wants to shoot the cannons herself.

With the cannon I also have the Handbills for the Victorian rifle shoot and the Cannon Shoot. I have had to replensh the Cannon Hand bills twice now. Hey folks in town is going to turn out for you guys!!!

GGaskill · « **Reply #25 on:** May 29, 2009, 01:52:10 PM »

She says it will freak her big city daughter in law out.

Nothing like freaking out a big city socialist fool.

Double D · « **Reply #26 on:** May 29, 2009, 05:38:34 PM »

One thing I was a bit worried about, was the bore. The last time this gun was fired was July 2005. After firing I washed int down with a garden hose dried it and then oiled it up with NAPA ATF-4.

After the paint dried on the barrel this past week, I swabbed the bore, The ATf game out still with a slight reddish tint and lots of oily dust. When wipped out the bore was still smooth and shiny...no rust or corrosion.

1Southpaw · « **Reply #27 on:** May 29, 2009, 05:40:38 PM »

Looks like it all came together nicely . Sure looks different than when we fired it @ the DD Gopher Ranch

The excitment builds .... Cannon shoot in August , well also , June , July

Double D · « **Reply #28 on:** May 29, 2009, 06:53:37 PM »

And, thank you Mr. Taft for your help...

PM Fourie · « **Reply #29 on:** May 31, 2009, 09:53:59 AM »

Hallo Double D

I love the what you have done with the 42 PDR. I have done Aoto Cad drawings of the same cannon and scale it to 43.8mm (1.7") bore to shoot golf balls. I had to re do the drawings as we are working in metric here in South Africa. I have start manufacturing on a golf ball calibre Dictator already. I will post pictures at a later stage. I will start soon with the manufacturing of the Cairo 42 PDR.