Vive la France; and long live America!

[Cannoneer]

I've never seen another cannon loaded exactly like this one, but instead of me attempting a description, it would probably be more instructive to just watch the video.

[KABAR2]

I find it odd that he just doesn't load the whole thing from the rear...... I am not thrilled with the cork being jammed down the bore either....... it looks like his projo keyholed when it hit the target.... most likely a smooth bore firing a long pointed projo..... so no spin to stabelize it....

[boomerralph]

I particularly like the knee in front of the muzzle while loading, also his "other Parts".  While a premature is rare, it can happen.  I for one, keep any "parts" that I am particularly interested in keeping of out from in front of the muzzle.

[cannonmn]

What I found interesting was his target, a retired fire extinguisher.  It had bottom cut off and big holes put in it.  I'm making a wild guess that in France or whatever Froggie-speaking area he's from has laws that require such mutiliation of retired gas cylinders so they can't be used as IED's.  Anyone know about that?  If so you'll never see a bowling ball mortar from that place.
 
Just one more reason I'm happy I live in the good-ole' USA, where we still have quite a bit of freedom in the blackpowder and firearms area.

[Artilleryman]

I also wondered why he didn't use a round ball and just load projectile and cartridge from the breech.

[moose53]

If you watch the video very carefully it looks like he loads only the outer cartridge sleeve spacer  in the breach before the projectile and wad . The loaded cartridge is on the ground when he cocks the firing pin , then it skips to firing . It was very safe loading with no powder in the cannon yet.

[Cannoneer]

Now for an American made version of what could/should be a safe signal/salute cannon. Pay close attention to the loading procedures.

[GGaskill]

At least he didn't use Bullseye.  Seems like his firing point was of questionable legality, so let's show the world that I did it.

??   

[Artilleryman]

Ignoring for the moment that he used smokeless powder, I am wondering why he didn't just load the powder into the shotgun shell.

[KABAR2]

"This is 4140 equivilant to the strength of railroad steel" 
YES SIR! the next cannon I'z iz buildin iz gona bee "Railroad steel"! 
Can we send this guy to France with his cannon?

[Frank46]

Bet that cannon cost him a pretty chunk of change. But when he loaded that good old H4350 thats where he lost me. I think he would be best if he had some way to index the shell holder whatchamacallet even though it was a signal cannon. not that I'm condoning the use of smokeless powder. Frank

[Double D]

Not reason in the world he couldn't use smokeless powder in that gun...what doesn click with me was loading a shotgun shell behind it.

Clever breeching,

[Artilleryman]

For me it's not so much that he used smokeless powder, but the way he "measured" his charge.

[Double D]

For me it's not so much that he used smokeless powder, but the way he "measured" his charge.

Ain't that the truth...