Author Topic: What is this cannon?  (Read 845 times)

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Offline BillinOregon

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What is this cannon?
« on: April 26, 2011, 05:40:54 AM »
I saw this over the weekend on a visit to Buffalo Gap, Texas. It is housed in the original Taylor County Courthouse, built in 1879. I couldn't find any information on this smoothbore, but here is a side view and a shot of the only marking I could see in the available light, the number 1202 on the muzzle:





By the way, here's the courthouse, where my great-grandfather and great-grandmother were married in 1880:


Offline Double D

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Re: What is this cannon?
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2011, 05:54:06 AM »
Looks like a lyle gun.  Could be wrong, hope I am actually, because everyone will jump to prove me wrong...they love doing that, that's why I like WAG's.

Offline intoodeep

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Re: What is this cannon?
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2011, 05:58:19 AM »
Looks like a lyle gun.  Could be wrong, hope I am actually, because everyone will jump to prove me wrong...they love doing that, that's why I like WAG's.

 It is a Lyle. However, it's a mix of a tube from one mfg. and the base from another.
If you make it idiot proof, then, someone will make a better idiot.


Offline Double D

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Re: What is this cannon?
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2011, 07:23:51 AM »
Is half right the same as half wrong.   :)

Offline KABAR2

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Re: What is this cannon?
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2011, 07:32:05 AM »
Looks like a lyle gun.  Could be wrong, hope I am actually, because everyone will jump to prove me wrong...they love doing that, that's why I like WAG's.

 It is a Lyle. However, it's a mix of a tube from one mfg. and the base from another.

a lot of these were surplused so it would be possible that damaged guns got married to make one good one,
Now the only question is why was a Lyle gun so far from the sea?
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Offline dominick

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Re: What is this cannon?
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2011, 07:37:02 AM »
That appears to be a Bronze C barrel on a Coston or Galbraith base.

Offline BoomLover

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Re: What is this cannon?
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2011, 08:30:48 AM »
Say, Dom, in all your musings, did you ever consider making a Lyle Line Gun? In Golf Ball size? Just wondering. ???...Boomlover
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Offline dominick

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Re: What is this cannon?
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2011, 09:37:47 AM »
Say, Dom, in all your musings, did you ever consider making a Lyle Line Gun? In Golf Ball size? Just wondering. ???...Boomlover



I did.  Look familiar?  Bronze C barrel and Coston base.  This one's 2.25" bore x 30" long barrel.  Steel barrel.


Offline BillinOregon

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Re: What is this cannon?
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2011, 10:04:51 AM »
Wow, you guys are the Bomb!

Offline dominick

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Re: What is this cannon?
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2011, 12:32:33 PM »
The original Bronze C barrel was available in 2-1/2", 3" & 3-1/2" bore sizes.  The late Paul Barnett of South Bend replica's did a lot of research on the history Lyle guns and also wrote a book on them.  I can't find my copy at the moment but if memory is correct, I think the title is "The Life Saving guns of David Lyle".  The book may still be available from SBR.          Dom 

Offline rmagill

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Re: What is this cannon?
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2011, 04:22:07 AM »
That's the right title.  I have a copy I bought years ago to learn about my Sculler.   It's a really detailed study of the guns.   Bob