Any experience with a Gray-Star mountain gun?

[HuecoDoc]

I've priced around with no specific cannon in mind and I've decided I need a full-size 3" bore.  The mountain howitzers seem to do this with a manageable weight.  The gun would be for display (I guess that's obvious because it's certainly hard as heck to hide), and as an heirloom as my family (father, two brothers) has been in great need of a family cannon for a few years.  I will shoot it, too.

I'm thinking about the Gray-Star mountain howitzer barrel, full size.  I'll probably build my own carriage.  Does anyone have any personal experience with this?

Thanks

[Double D]

Scroll way to the top of this board and you will find a search window.  Type in  Grey-Star and click on search. 

Since you are going to shoot the gun, be sure and insist on a seamless liner with a breech plug installed to meet  N-SSA standards.  Grey-Star sells the barrel with a seamed liner as standard. You have to ask for the seamless.


Welcome to the board by the way.

[Artilleryman]

If you plan to shoot it in N-SSA competition you will need a full scale bore also.  That would be 4.62 inches for a mountain howitzer.

[Cat Whisperer]

HuecoDoc -

WELCOME to the board!

We're looking forward to seeing pictures of this project as it get built!

[HuecoDoc]

Yes, I needed to register to do that search but really didn't find anything.  Again, I can't, with an advanced search.  Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

Thanks for the info, at least I now know they are known and functional.  Does anyone actually have one from there? There is minimal info on their site, and no phone number though they emailed me back.

Again, thanks.

Scroll way to the top of this board and you will find a search window.  Type in  Grey-Star and click on search. 

Since you are going to shoot the gun, be sure and insist on a seamless liner with a breech plug installed to meet  N-SSA standards.  Grey-Star sells the barrel with a seamed liner as standard. You have to ask for the seamless.


Welcome to the board by the way.

[Double D]

You really should register and do the search. Search Grey Star, Gray Star, GreyStar, GrayStar, Grey-Star and Gray-Star.

In advanced search select only the cannon board to search or you will get every instance of the words grey, gray and star on GBO.

There is a lot of discussion on Grey Star on our board, most positive, but I recall three negative issues.  They started as negatives anyway. Every time,  GreyStar stepped up and made things right.

Do your research and draw you own conclusions.

[HuecoDoc]

I did already register and search before my first post and again before my second. It seems that grey-star vs gray-star was part of the problem. I've had a bit of reading and will do more tomorrow.  I'll also cool my heels before I jump into that.  Thanks.

You really should register and do the search. Search Grey Star, Gray Star, GreyStar, GrayStar, Grey-Star and Gray-Star.

In advanced search select only the cannon board to search or you will get every instance of the words grey, gray and star on GBO.

There is a lot of discussion on Grey Star on our board, most positive, but I recall three negative issues.  They started as negatives anyway. Every time,  GreyStar stepped up and made things right.

Do your research and draw you own conclusions.

[Double D]

Narrow your search parameters and vary the spelling.   

Search:

Grey Star

Gray Star

GreyStar

GrayStar

Grey-Star

Gray-Star

You definitely will get a hit. 

[Double D]

Here is a link to the N-SSA rules.

http://www.n-ssa.org/NATIONAL/RULES/Rules013108.pdf

This is a large PDF file--195 pages. Click it open and them go take a potty break and get a fresh cup of coffee and come back.. then go to page 69 of the PDF and you will find the specifications for liners and breech plugs.

Be aware the standard liner offered by Grey-Star is not seamless, you must ask for.

[HuecoDoc]

I'm doing a lot of reading now and asking my brother some questions.  He has a turbomachinery repair shop including lathes used for naval cannons from the 1930's, 1940's.  I downloaded that pdf a few days ago but couldn't find the relevant sections, but I'll look again tomorrow.

[Cat Whisperer]

...
 He has a turbomachinery repair shop including lathes used for naval cannons from the 1930's, 1940's. 
...

Would he be interested in custom work (not likely I suppose but I had to ask)  answer by PM if he does.

We'd love to see a picture or two of the large lathes!

[HuecoDoc]

His lathes are up to 30” diameter swing and about 10’ length.  He's across the state from me, but I can get some pictures eventually and I'll ask him about doing work.

[Cat Whisperer]

THANKS!

That would be a useful resource it it happens.