Author Topic: Finished 1/2 Scale Napoeon (Read 1799 times)

tesavis · « **on:** January 26, 2009, 03:40:02 AM »

This is my first post, hope it works.

First of all I would like to say how much I enjoy this forum. You are my kind of folks. Great information and ideas for a hobby I have been interested in since my dad gave me the BP cannon his father made him in 1930's.

I have built a 1/2 scale Napoleon and just finished the last parts last night, thought I would let you folks take a look and critique my work. It is a 1/2 scale napoleon on a traditional Civil war era #1 carriage. I built everything except the wheels (Amish), the Tube (Hern), the Lock and worm. Here are some pictures:

All that is left now is to take it all appart and apply the finish.

What do you think?

KABAR2 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:14:39 AM »

Welcome to the site! your Napoleon looks great! You've done a great job on the carraige,

So how soon till we see some smoke & fire photos?

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:17:19 AM »

Looks like all your effort paid off! Very nice indeed. The wood to metal fit looks excellent. What sort of plans did you go by? Will you be firing projectiles or blanks from the Napoleon?

Regards,

Mike and Tracy

RocklockI · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:22:56 AM »

very nice

and welcome aboard .

tesavis · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:25:58 AM »

I need to find an appropriate location to fire some billiard balls (proper back stop). Mostly I fire blanks (make noise). I scaled the plans for the carriage from picture in a book I found on the Net.

It was fun to build, but took a long time.

I have two sons so I told them when I die they will have to share it. Maybe I will build another some day and hope my two daughters have no interest in cannons. Can't possibly see myself making four.

Evil Dog · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2009, 05:02:32 AM »

An excellent job.... it truely looks great !!!

Quote

Can't possibly see myself making four.

Stranger things have been known to happen... ask Tropico.

Double D · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2009, 07:53:13 AM »

Well let's see one Napolean and four kids. Simple, a coehorn of course and then maybe a Parrot rifle and then some sort of siege mortar, that makes four...

Terry C. · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2009, 10:05:22 AM »

Quote from: Double D on January 26, 2009, 07:53:13 AM

Well let's see one Napoleon and four kids.

Gun & crew.

Excellent work!

I have a thing for Napoleons myself, but mine is only quarter-scale.

Now you need a half-scale Coehorn as a mate to this gun.

irishman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2009, 02:29:50 PM »

Fantastic workmanship! Welcome aboard.

Blaster · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2009, 02:36:30 PM »

tesavis, outstanding job with excellent results. Good luck with it!!

skunkskinner · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2009, 03:06:04 PM »

That looks fantastic.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2009, 03:21:38 PM »

tesavis -

WELCOME to the board!

What do I think? What a stylish way to do a first post!

I'd love to see pictures of smoke and flame!

Tropico · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2009, 08:59:01 PM »

Classy heater ya got there ! ! !

Quote

Stranger things have been known to happen... ask Tropico.

So begins the addiction and madness for all things that go B O O M ....., Welcome to the forum Sir ., your definitely among friends here.

tesavis · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2009, 01:50:11 AM »

Thanks for the welcome, again I really enjoy this forum, great fun!

I know legal rulings are something that is avoided here, but just opinion then. Does anyone see an issue of me using the Lock with firing pin and 209 primer for ignition. It work great and makes the gun safer in my opinion, but do you think it is OK legally?

Double D · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2009, 05:02:47 AM »

No legal response needed. Primer ignition was used pre 1899 so it is not an issue. Bigger issue is the 209 primer close enough tothe powder charge to ignite it. How heavy is your gun, you might want to consider friction primers.

tesavis · « **Reply #15 on:** January 27, 2009, 05:13:22 AM »

Seems to be very reliable. The tube is your standard Hern 1/2 scale napoleon. The diameter at the breach is 5.5". with a 2.325" bore (good windage for billiard balls). so the wall thickness including the liner is approximately 1.59". I have a vent liner made from 7/16" threaded brass rod. The vent liner has a 1/8" hole bored the length. I use the brass acorn nut for the primer pocket and it also retains the lock. This allows me to make different ignition solutions (fuse vent, lock ??) and swap them in with no additional holes in the gun tube, works great.

dynomike · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2009, 11:21:54 AM »

I hope mine fineshes out that good. I would like that natural finesh if it would stay like that.

44-40 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2009, 11:25:10 AM »

Very nice!

and7barton · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2009, 05:43:45 AM »

That's EXCELLENT ! - A lovely piece of work.
My pulse quickened when I saw that beast.

rampa room artillery · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2011, 03:24:59 PM »

i found this old topic, online and was just very impressed with the quality of the work,

rick bryan

BoomLover · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2011, 07:35:58 PM »

I agree, Rick! Very nice work!

Cannoneer · « **Reply #21 on:** November 30, 2011, 09:38:52 PM »

I think I missed this the first time around, tesavis did a fine job on the carriage and hardware.

DaveSB · « **Reply #22 on:** December 05, 2011, 03:44:17 AM »

Beautiful work!! If mine turns out half as nice as yours, I'll be happy. I'm running into the same issue on the wheels.. I've built everything myself, but the wheels intimidate me. I need 38"ers and it's amazing how proud the Amish are of their work. I was quoted just under $500 each.

Zulu · « **Reply #23 on:** December 05, 2011, 04:42:52 AM »

Quote from: DaveSB on December 05, 2011, 03:44:17 AM

Beautiful work!! If mine turns out half as nice as yours, I'll be happy. I'm running into the same issue on the wheels.. I've built everything myself, but the wheels intimidate me. I need 38"ers and it's amazing how proud the Amish are of their work. I was quoted just under $500 each.

I think $500 each is a good price. You would too if you ever tried to make a proper pair of 38" wheels.
Zulu

DaveSB · « **Reply #24 on:** December 05, 2011, 06:00:27 AM »

I'm sure you're right, it just took me by surprise. I guess it is what it is. Zulu Manufacturing and Engineering make 38"ers?

Zulu · « **Reply #25 on:** December 05, 2011, 08:47:31 AM »

Quote from: DaveSB on December 05, 2011, 06:00:27 AM

I'm sure you're right, it just took me by surprise. I guess it is what it is. Zulu Manufacturing and Engineering make 38"ers?

No wheels for me. Simply not enough money in them for the time spent. I already only make $5 an hour.

Wheels would net me about $1.

Zulu

Double D · « **Reply #26 on:** December 05, 2011, 01:03:48 PM »

If you make a wheel like a road wheel, I think you are right. Buck an hour.

But if you made a model wheel so it looks good and is not intended to be used for cartage I think you could up your wage to 10 bucks an hour. There are certainly customers for the small scale wheels.

DaveSB · « **Reply #27 on:** December 06, 2011, 05:08:41 AM »

Quote from: Zulu on December 05, 2011, 08:47:31 AM

Quote from: DaveSB on December 05, 2011, 06:00:27 AM
I'm sure you're right, it just took me by surprise. I guess it is what it is. Zulu Manufacturing and Engineering make 38"ers?

No wheels for me. Simply not enough money in them for the time spent. I already only make $5 an hour. Wheels would net me about $1.
Zulu

Funny, I had always guessed that parts just fall together with your magic touch

buzz36 · « **Reply #28 on:** December 06, 2011, 02:16:19 PM »

let me put my vote in on the great nice and excellent side
hope my next carriage comes out jsut half that nice i be happy