Ole time fire cracker cannon

[EL Caz 66]

what we have here is a Portuguese firecracker naval cannon made of all casted brass. the barrel measures about 5 1/2" in length 3/4' at breech and 1/2"at the muzzle. I guess we though we were the first to think of such an event.

[cannonmn]

Nice little model, not sure why it is referred to as a fire cracker cannon, you couldn't shoot a firecracker in it, at least it doesn't look like it.  Might it have been made as a small desk model?

[EL Caz 66]

I used the firecracker reference because due to amount of charge that can be used to for a salute. Yes its a desk top model, but also can be fired.Not sure yet if I plan to do so, but whats a cannon if its not fired even once...

[Cannoneer]

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[EL Caz 66]

Hey Boom J,


I was told by the previous owner that the cannon is a replica of a Portuguese type naval cannon, I'm no expert so I going on his word. I believe that the gentlemen is of Portuguese decent. Thanks for your Black Cat loading tip, But I'll just throw a little BP down the muzzle and stick fuse in her and call it day.

Ed

[Cannoneer]

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[Double D]

Firecracker cannons have always been an acceptable subject on this board...

[Tropico]

[cannonmn]

If you want to find out for sure if this model was built to resemble the ordnance of a particular country, you could take a macro photograph of the coat of arms that's cast or soldered onto the top of the barrel and post it here, and we could tell if it is a proper royal cypher or coat of arms.  The shape of the barrel and the rings on it won't tell you much since they are "generic."  In fact the rings are a feature of 16th C. and earlier cannons, and the barrel shape is more like that of some 17th or 18th C. cannons.

[EL Caz 66]

Hope this helps.

[cannonmn]

Thanks.  Every old country has gone through an evolution of its official arms, and a country as old as Portugal has had many versions of it.  I think the seven small elements around the edges, with five different elements arranged in a cross within the seven, comprise a unique pattern, with or without the crown.  I'd say it is in fact intended to be the arms of Portugal.  See what you think.

Here's a modern version of the Portugal, shown on the flag of the Republic.  I'm sure someone could find a dead-ringer for the one on your cannon, and I'd do it except I have to roll out of here pretty soon.  The arms on the cannon (with crown) would be appropriate for the Portuguese monarchy which preceeded the Republic.

http://flagspot.net/flags/pt.html

[EL Caz 66]

I believe I've found it..

http://flagspot.net/flags/pt_1706.html

[Cannoneer]

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[EL Caz 66]

BOY Boom J, your on a roll.  It was a tough decision to put the three stooges to rest, but with the help of cannonmn sharing flagspot.net site. I did a little research and found the coat of arms of which my distant relatives had settled several century's ago. Plus I think it looks pretty cool. So you think the stooges have earned thier rest?

[thelionspaw]

Eduardo,
What is represented on the shield, are the castles of Castile and the lions of Leon for the House of Portugal. If you have scallop shells, they represent pilgrimages. Pilgrims carried large shells as drinking cups with which they collected alms on their journey.  There are often 5 shells on each of the 5 escutcheons within the shield in the center for the House of Portugal. In Scotland for one, they say of a drunk, "he is in his shells", whereas we have all heard, "he is in his cups". Well, those of us beyond Social Security age have. As for our young whipper-snappers,  who knows?

Maybe I should go on a quiz show with all of this useless crappola I know.

Richard "The Pilgrim"

[Cannoneer]

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[EL Caz 66]

Boom, first I want to wish you a speedy recovery.  this emotionicon is of being undecided, so on that note don't think that you have begun to annoy me just yet.  Yes, those are the correct stooges. I also have a few cool pictures of the little rascals playing with cannons, just might put them up at some point as my avatars..


Richies "The Pilgrims" once I get the chance I look into your question about what the Castillo & Leons on the shield represent.

Edgar De Soto

[Cannoneer]

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[thelionspaw]

Ed,
They are the arms of the King of Castile and Leon.  google "Castile and Leon".

Rocco Cannoli

[Double D]

Now your never going to experiment with a cracker in this tube even though it's permissable by board rules.

Board rules don't say anything about firing a fire cracker in this cannon...board rulles allow the discussion of firecracker cannnons, something quite different all together.

[EL Caz 66]

Douglas,

Did I miss something here? Please elaborate...

[Double D]

El Caz,

Boom J said board rules say its permisslible for you to shoot fire crackers in your cannon.  Board rule don't say anthing about what you decide to shoot in your cannon at all, that's strictly your decision.

The remark was directed to him not you. 

On the subject of your cannon, have you checked very close to determine if the breech doesn't unscrew, that knurled breech ring makes me think it might.

[EL Caz 66]

Double D,

Now I understand, thanks for your reply.Na, this little guy is a heavy solid brass casting, the breech does not unscrew. If I decided to fire a salute with firecracker size charge, it should be safe enough to handle it.

Ed

[EL Caz 66]

Well I finally had a few minutes this weekend, to take out the mini, nano, cracker, micro or desktop cannon whatever we want to call them. For a test, after few blank shots I gave it a go with a live shot and this is how it went. I aslo in included one of my brooks in for the fun of it, Old with the New.



Click on the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tm9Hgd5WL8



Click On the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWqK9XDv4EY

[Terry C.]

Excellent video!

For a test, after few blank shots I gave it a go with a live shot and this is how it went.

What did you use for shot?

I looked through the thread again, but I never saw where you stated the caliber.

[GGaskill]

Kinda short range targets.   

[Cannoneer]

Well I finally had a few minutes this weekend, to take out the mini, nano, cracker, micro or desktop cannon whatever we want to call them.

   Good vids, Ed. I think miniature is the most accurate.

[EL Caz 66]

oops sorry Terry C my bad, I used Magtech .25 cal. 50gr. bullets. Miniature cannons on a miniature target range , It was the best I could do to show these mini cannons firing shot on camera.