Help with this cannon

[Ozium]

Hello all, i just found this forum and thought someone may be able to help me with this cannon i have
had for years but never fired. It appears to have a rifled barrel that measures about .450 and the only
marking on it are black powder only near the fuse hole and spain on the bottom. Any info on safe
loads and how to load like how much wadding to use and such. I just want to use it for salutes.

Thanks in advance all.

[jeeper1]

It is an old CVA cannon. I have one similar to it as do others here.
If you search posts from about 2 or 3 years ago you will find a post of mine where I made the same inquiry.
Here is some info I received about mine.


Suggested powder loads.  10 gr starting, and 30 gr max

Ball and patch should be .440" round ball with 0.010" to 0.015" patch used in 45 cal muzzleloader rifles.  The box says that it "Takes Standard Patched .440 Round Balls

[Terry C.]

That looks like an old CVA kit that I used to have. If I recall correctly, it is .45 caliber and yes it's rifled.

I eventually had mine reamed to .50 smoothbore.

As a .45, I was shooting about 20 gr. of FFg behind a patched ball. Even this mild load gives significant recoil.

For salutes, I would start with around 30-35 grains. A greased patch over the charge is all you need, it doesn't need to be tightly packed.


BTW: It looks like you are missing the quion (the wedge shaped wooden block used for elevation).

[Ozium]

Thanks all. yea i guess that piece is missing, I doubt i would ever fire
a ball out of it, i can imagine is has abit of recoil, prolly try 30 grains
this weekend after i visit the powder store. Thought i had a full can
but can't find it.

Thanks Again

[Rickk]

for blanks 3F is good.

a 45 ACP case full is about right. A bit of Toilet paper or paper towel over the top is needed to make it BOOM.

I think about half of us here cut their teeth on that gun.

As the others have already said, if you fire a ball from it the recoil will be considerable, so start small and work up.

[Ozium]

I have just never fired it, someone gave it to me years ago. Figured 10-30
grains but just wanted a second opinion. I have been running about 3 .45
cases of fg in my golf ball mortar and that realy kicks the ball out.

Maybe i'll just pick up some 2f to use in both.


Thanks Again

[Cat Whisperer]

Ozium -

WELCOME to the board!

Post some pix of fire and smoke when you get to it.

Might want to include a powder can for scale too.  (It's tradition)

[Ozium]

Thanks CW, I will do that. Now all i have to do is find time to play, work is
interfering with my toy time again.

[EL Caz 66]

Hey, Nice find you there I have the same cannon for several years just tweak it a bit, with a Little paint & stain. Also sized it with a quoin, shot it several  now its strictly for show on my work desk.. Ed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmKTQ_gk3d8 short video

[razorbuc]

Hello to all cannoneers...(a word?)..

I have the same cannon,which I just bought in an antique shop.

The ladies dad had the cannon,and she said he used to shoot lead ball out of it,so I'm guessing its the same cannon....exact same description.....carriage,wedge..."black powder only" at powder hole in top,"spain" under neath on same end.Barrel is a hair over seven inches long,muzzle is @1/2...which I believe would be a .45 cal.

I saw a CVA cannon like it still in the box on another thread,and I'm pretty sure its the same cannon.The barrel of the kit cannon was exactly like this barrel...as was the carriage,including the big nut that holds the carriage together.

My question is,would anyone who has the directions that came with the cannon,would be willing to send me a copy some way?..I'll be glad to pay postage or whatever is involved with sending it.....but was hoping it could be e'mailed somehow....

If not...that's cool,I'll just follow what little directions I can get from onliine...and step waaaay back on the first few shots....

I did take it to an old dude*(older than me,hard to do)*...who owns and antique gun shop..and he agreed that it should be able to shoot lead ball..

.thanks.....hope you all have a bang up day...  ......(this cannon stuff is really getting in my blood,and I haven't even shot it yet)

[m223]

Ozium & Razorbuc Welcome to the board. I don't have one of those cannons ,but they look nice and it's a good start to your soon to be lifelong addiction. Don't forget to tighten up and replace your missing trunnion cap screws Ozium. Thanks for sharing your pictures,   Tracy