BROOKS BARREL .....

[opatriot]

 GDAY ALL ...   Just received my brooks barrel ...  SWEEEEEEEET ... Nice lines and no paint needed  !!   But I dont think   carriage I had set aside for it is going to work  TOOO small ............. So off I go to try my hand at naval carriage build ............Was wondering if anyone would have some insight into how the instrument next to the cannon works ?? whats it called ??   what are its uses  ??     my father gave it to me but he has no idea what it is ....  Im thinkin it has to do with cannons  ....... 

[jeeper1]

I'll hazard a guess that it's a level used to set the angle of the barrel.

[Ex 49'er]

If it's about 4" square it is a machine gun quadrant. Also called a clinometer.

[Cat Whisperer]

It is a gunner's quadrant, but whether it's for a machine gun (I have one also) or for a howitzer would be discovered by reading it.

It is placed on a particular part (barrel or frame) of the howitzer (or heavy machine gun) and the index is moved to where the bubble levels, then the range (for a particular flavor or ammunition) is read at the index mark.

Older one's had leather case, newer ones metal or plastic.

[Cat Whisperer]

Here's a pix of the one for the Browning 1917.

Note the reading is in Mils (there are 6400 mils in a circle - as degrees are too coarse).  Also note the fine adjustment on the bubble - the bar is curved.

It is a clinometer - it will tell of inclination or declination.  The reading of 800 mils is 45 degrees - using one side or the other on the tube allows one to measure the full 0 to 90 degree range.  Range would be determined from a chart for each type of ammo.

The maximum range for a howitzer (modern ammo) is about 43 degrees (it's different for shooting a sphere).  Below that 43 degrees one is shooting 'low angle' and above one is shooting 'high angle'.  Obviously high angle time-of-flight is long and the round is susceptible to wind more.  Low angle gives grazing fire.  High angle is also good for deep penetration when breaking up reinforced fortifications.

[Rickk]

opatriat... look at "Back Yard Cannon Fun", as well as my "New Project starting - Carronade" for some ideas

[Tropico]

opatriat very nice indeed. gotta show us more when you get the carriage for it worked out. The Brooks Cannon is really great ain't  it ! artwork that safely goes BOOM 
(By the way I am admiring the art work behind the cannon as well..., comments? )

[EL Caz 66]

Nice Gun!! what are the measurements? I may have a carriage for you...

[opatriot]

 GOOD-EVENING FRIENDS .... Hmmmmm seems to me I recall ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S intro sounding like that ... I better change it ..  smile , smile ..... CAT thanx for the info , yup thats what it looks like ..its about 6" by 6" ..  all I know is that it came back from the first gulf war ..... I wonder can it be used for round ball range and trajectory on a full size mortar ?? .............. Thanx Cazador for the generous offer ... but I already went down and purchased the materials , oak and steel ........ I love a chalenge so im going through the old posts for helpfull hints , ideas ......I will post the progress  .. This is one of the irishmans 69 cal. 12" models .......I figured it would be good for plinking at the local range .... DD  inspired ......TROPICO the art work is an old lithograph , Its of Washington Irving and and all the famouse authers of that time in his study .. its an interesting pic only a few exist .......