Author Topic: Safety - time between shots (Read 793 times)

Cat Whisperer · « **on:** April 22, 2005, 12:53:01 AM »

Since DD mentioned that we probably should revisit some of the issues of safety, and since we have a few folks that have/are building their first mortars, I'm raising the issue of saftey.

Perhaps we can do this on a monthly basis - one topic per thread. At some time we'll consolodate the experiences or build a URL list to each of the topic-related threads.

This one deals with 'Time delay required between shots'. WHat are your experiences?

Let me say that I have seen, after waiting a measured two minutes, the brightly glowing ember of the fuse (which was not blown clear but was INSIDE the tube)!

Two minutes may be a MINIMAL time.

In general there are many issues of safety - and two excellent references posted above (N-SSA & American Artillary Assn) that cover it all.

threepdr · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2005, 05:09:21 AM »

We use my Three pounder for ceremonies, living history demonstrations, and reenactments.

At NPS sites we are required to wait 10 minutes between shots. This is no problem since we are doing interpretation to the public between shots anyway.

We did a three gun salute during a War of 1812 vet's grave marking ceremony recently. We did not "wait" between shots, but did go slow and methodicaly to make sure all safety steps were adheared to.

For reenactments, the wait is based on the needs and flow of the battle. We don't wait but take our time during reloading. We migh might aveage two shots a minute at one point, then one shot every 5 miniutes later.

Wait time is not nearly as important as insuring that the bore is searched (wormed) between shots to extract all the aluminum foil, and that the bore is properly sponged. If the vent is thumbed and sealed properly and the sponge is damp and fits the bore right, there will be a very audible hollow sounding "thump" when the sponge is withdrawn from the muzzle. If we don't hear that, we responge till we do.

We shot 25Lbs of powder during our last reenactment.

Cpt Ed · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2005, 09:29:43 AM »

Amen to that! You cant begin to say enough about safety. If you were to read some of the accident reports that have been written up in The Muzzleloading Artilleryman Magazine over the last several years it is scary what some people have done to themselves and others.

I highly recommend that before anyone considers shooting a Blackpowder Mortar or Cannon that they purchase and study a copy of Matthew C. Switliks book, The More Complete Cannoneer. It is a wise and most reasonable investment. I know that Matthew has over 30 years experience in studying and safely shooting all kinds of vintage artillery.

His book can be purchased directly from M. C. Switlik or from Paul Barnett, South Bend Replicas, Inc. both can be found listed on the GB Sticky.

Evil Dog · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2005, 10:17:45 AM »

I see the link for South Bend Replicas but can't find anything for M.C. Switlik. Can't find any links for him on Google either. Do you know of a way to get ahold of him?

guardsgunner · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2005, 11:33:39 AM »

Matt Switlik belongs to Loomis Battery, a search for that will take you to his book/site.

Cpt Ed · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2005, 01:23:31 PM »

Evil Dog:

Here is a link to Matt Switlik's web site.

http://www.museumandcollector.com/

Double D · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2005, 02:15:01 PM »

We have Mr. Switlik's website on the resource list, which by the way is 150 views away from 10,000!

Calamity Jane · « **Reply #7 on:** April 26, 2005, 06:55:11 AM »

I will confess to sometimes not waiting a full 2 minutes between shots.

Howsomeever, I do worm vigerously and my wet sponge is SOPPING WET - since I am usually the whole crew, the vent isn't "thumbed" and squirts quite a nice gyser of water. The wet sponge coming out makes a distinct sucking sound at at the vent and a "THRUMB! as the suction breaks at the muzzle. Even a frog in the chamber would be well drowned !!!

I take my time, as much as circumstances allow, between the wet sponge and placing the next charge.

I find percussion ignition to be much more immune to my "soggy bore" condition than fuse, although I have never had ignition snuffed with either method.[/b]

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #8 on:** April 26, 2005, 12:31:06 PM »

CJ - good to see your post!

If you're soaking it down like you say you shouldn't have to even wait for the smoke to clear!

I can smell the sulpher now. One of the 'pleasures' of shooting blackpowder.

Blaster · « **Reply #9 on:** April 26, 2005, 12:56:05 PM »

Calamity, I handle my swabbing the same way you do - I like to flood the bore and actually have water squirting out the vent. I just dry the heck out of it then. Never had any problem due to the excessive amount of water. Also, CJ, I haven't seen many of your posts lately. Hope all is going well with you. Blaster (Bob in CO) :-)

Calamity Jane · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2005, 02:24:04 AM »

Bob, Cat, howdy.

Don't wanna hijack the thread but thanks fer askin. Goin good but busy (and broke). Built a couple of 4x5 view cameras, a bunch of stuff for the darkroom 'n' gone into the Tintype business. Also fired up the crawler I restored a few years ago (which has been ignored for the past two years) and cleaned up the north field. Cowboy Action Shooting starts agin this weekend so it's off to make huge clouds of Blackpowder smoke and raise hell agin.

Thanks fer askin - now back to cannons!

Will Bison · « **Reply #11 on:** May 04, 2005, 10:32:26 AM »

I find myself quite often the only crew member and use the same method CJ describes. A totally saturated wet sponge followed by the worm. The sponge forces a good jet of water out the vent. I run the sponge in and out 3-4 times. All this is followed by three dry sponges. While I have never timed between shots, I think this system is quite safe.