Author Topic: Only want this one thing next Christmas... (Read 1660 times)

cannonmn · « **on:** February 19, 2013, 10:17:24 PM »

I think the mortar is about 4 feet long.

Brief description Bronze mortar (deg) in the form of a tiger. Indian, Bangalore or Seringapatam, late 18th century
Object number XIX.119
Object Title The Tiger mortar
Object Name Bronze mortar (deg)
Place and date of manufacture Indian, Bangalore or Seringapatam, late 18th century

GGaskill · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2013, 09:39:59 AM »

Castable bronze is at least $6 a pound these days so there is probably well over $1000 in metal there just for starters.

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2013, 02:21:10 PM »

It don't cost anything to want. Good luck in your quest!

cannonmn · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2013, 07:04:33 PM »

Quote

Castable bronze is at least $6 a pound these days so there is probably well over
$1000 in metal there just for starters.

Thanks G2, but I don' want no repperduckshins, gotta be OLD!

RocklockI · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2013, 07:16:20 PM »

George, to have this cast 1:1 scale will cost you several as in "many thousands" .

My bronze thunder mug ran over $700 bucks . This is the reason I'm torn on the mortar I am working on ....? What bore ?

I have seen at least two models of this ,and one that wasn't finished IIRC.

It is one sweet mortar . Probably didn't do much but still sweet .

Cannoneer · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2013, 01:50:16 PM »

It's funny how you can look at something many times, and still manage to miss something (some detail). I've had this photo for quite some time, but the other day when I was looking for pics of historic Indian artillery, is the first time I noticed an integrally cast ring on the chest below the collar.

cannonmn · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2013, 02:09:48 PM »

Quote

first time I noticed an integrally cast ring on the chest below the collar

Undoubtedly that's where you'd connect the leash.

skratch · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2013, 04:24:20 PM »

I think the vent should have been somewhat back and lower,,,, that would be impressive !

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2013, 04:53:08 PM »

Quote from: cannonmn on February 19, 2013, 10:17:24 PM

I think the mortar is about 4 feet long.

Brief description Bronze mortar (deg) in the form of a tiger. Indian, Bangalore or Seringapatam, late 18th century
Object number XIX.119
Object Title The Tiger mortar
Object Name Bronze mortar (deg) Indian, Bangalore or Seringapatam,
Place and date of manufacture late 18th century

Thanks Cannonmn, you are a Prince! All I can say to you, Gary Rocklock2 Lorenz is: Tiger, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger!! They're still no Lions in the bush in India. HA! Vindication, ain't it sweet. Sorry, it's a Tiger Mortar; get over it!

HA!

Tracy

Cannon Cocker · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2013, 06:04:11 PM »

Quote from: cannonmn on February 21, 2013, 02:09:48 PM

Quote
first time I noticed an integrally cast ring on the chest below the collar

Undoubtedly that's where you'd connect the leash.

Yes, and you would need that leash if you ever fired it, because he would definitely try to get away from you by jumping backwards.

RocklockI · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2013, 06:55:24 PM »

Cannon Cocker, I was thinking the same thing ,it will want to tip over backwards. I bet they would chain it to the ground on a large spike.

They could have even swiveled it around the spike .

Tracy ,

no tiger mortar for you !

cannonmn · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2013, 07:26:10 PM »

Quote

Yes, and you would need that leash if you ever fired it, because he would definitely try to get away from you by jumping backwards.

I think you can be pretty sure Tony sat on a special wooden bed, prob a very heavy one that extended back behind his bronze posterior. Look at the two large gaps between his claws front and rear, I'll bet that's where bolts held him down to the bed; of course there'd be two more on 'tother side. The modeling of that piece is far too artistic and detailed to have those large claw gaps unless there was another purpose, which I'm suggesting there was.

Also if they ever wanted to fire Tony more than once with any accuracy, they'd have a wood mortar platform under the whole thing. The platform would be damaged by firing the bare bronze mortar on it, so again, I'm convinced Tony had a wooden mortar bed with flat bottom, so he could slide in recoil over the flat wooden platform.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2013, 07:48:10 PM »

You beat me to it, but I had the same thought. I think this mortar may have sat on a four wheeled wooden bed (I don't know about the bolts), and the ring was for a drag line to pull it.

Victor3 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2013, 11:10:45 PM »

Quote from: seacoastartillery on February 21, 2013, 04:53:08 PM

Quote from: cannonmn on February 19, 2013, 10:17:24 PM

I think the mortar is about 4 feet long.

Brief description Bronze mortar (deg) in the form of a tiger. Indian, Bangalore or Seringapatam, late 18th century
Object number XIX.119
Object Title The Tiger mortar
Object Name Bronze mortar (deg) Indian, Bangalore or Seringapatam,
Place and date of manufacture late 18th century

Thanks Cannonmn, you are a Prince! All I can say to you, Gary Rocklock2 Lorenz is: Tiger, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger!! They're still no Lions in the bush in India. HA! Vindication, ain't it sweet. Sorry, it's a Tiger Mortar; get over it!

HA!

Tracy

There used to be. They're extinct now. Description is wrong. Tigers are a different color. Hope you like canned soup and paper tigers.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2013, 06:45:13 AM »

Victor,
Maybe this mortar was modelled after the image of the original LIGER, after all, there is a bushy end on that magnificent tail.

Victor3 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2013, 08:20:37 PM »

Ahhh..... Proof positive. That little tuft is never present on a tiger. It's a half breed at the very least

.

RocklockI · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2013, 01:48:37 PM »

Cannon Cocker · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2013, 06:42:14 PM »

I was joking around about the leash being used to hold this bad boy from running away. I didn't really consider that they actually would have fired such an ornate design. I assumed it would have been more of an ornamental gift or symbol of power.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2013, 11:40:52 PM »

Quote from: Cannon Cocker on February 23, 2013, 06:42:14 PM

I was joking around about the leash being used to hold this bad boy from running away. I didn't really consider that they actually would have fired such an ornate design. I assumed it would have been more of an ornamental gift or symbol of power.

I understood that you were joking about the leash, but I would tend to disagree with your opinion about these mortars being essentially intended for display, or presentation. I believe that these pieces (along with other incredibly decorated Indian artillery) were always intended for battle, beautiful though they may be.

Victor3 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2013, 12:18:33 AM »

Quote from: Cannoneer on February 23, 2013, 11:40:52 PM

Quote from: Cannon Cocker on February 23, 2013, 06:42:14 PM
I was joking around about the leash being used to hold this bad boy from running away. I didn't really consider that they actually would have fired such an ornate design. I assumed it would have been more of an ornamental gift or symbol of power.

I understood that you were joking about the leash, but I would tend to disagree with your opinion about these mortars being essentially intended for display, or presentation. I believe that these pieces (along with other incredibly decorated Indian artillery) were always intended for battle, beautiful though they may be.

Not disagreeing with you John (since I know next to nothing about the subject) but why do you believe this to be true?

Cannoneer · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2013, 01:12:11 AM »

Victor,
I read a book titled "The Saga of Indian Cannons" by R. Balasubramaniam, and parts of another that I think was titled 'The Evolution of Indian Artillery' (can't recall authors name).

It's thought that the highly ornate cannons (like the Sikh guns that I've posted in the past ) were not only meant to be used, but may have been the artillery issued to the ruler's elite forces.
To me these are in the same vein as the early European bronze cannons that could double as artistic sculpture. The artillery not only served as weapons, but as representations of a ruler's power, status, and pride.

entsminger · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2013, 07:49:57 AM »

Hey Cannonman, when I get that 10 inch 1861 siege mortar that's been on my Christmas list for years now I'll start looking into where to get you one of these cannons,ha ha..

Scott

Cannon Cocker · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2013, 08:44:50 AM »

Quote from: Cannoneer on February 24, 2013, 01:12:11 AM

Balasubramaniam

Easy for YOU to say.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #23 on:** February 26, 2013, 12:04:31 PM »

Ha ha! It kind of sounds like a religion.