Improvising firing

[flagman1776]

The event I had packed for was cancelled due to flooding...  a risk of camping under special use permit in a federal flood control area...  The artillery company commands the cannon range: their range, their rules.  I was counting on the company linstock & slow match.  I had not packed fuse. 
So I was 300 miles from home, with cannons, powder, foil & a burning urge to fire.  I was granted permission to fire in an open area.  Still needed ignition.  I dispatched my good wife to lumber store for a linstock (dowel) & combustable string (thinking to ignite of an open flame).  The clever wench came back with incense.  Found at WM right next to the candle wicks.  A couple of hair ties completed my linstock. 
I primed with loose 2F powder from a small cartridge onto the top of the barrel.  Ignition was instant with my 1/8" vent.  Only once did the strong wind blow the powder off & require re-priming.  After that, I cupped my gloved hand over the powder, stepping aside as the fire was brought up.
This was a fun test firing...  I'll see if I can get to the pictures on wife's camera.   

[KABAR2]

It's always a challange when you don't have everything you need I was attaching some cotton cloths line to a musket rammer to light off a small howizer when someone thought they'd help by touching it off with their cigar..... He did it before I could say anything..... yep cigar ripped apart and burned fingers for his trouble..... he didn't offer to set it off that way again.... the cotton cord worked fine....

[flagman1776]

But we've all seen the cigar ignition in the movies...  Doesn't Clint Eastwood do it? 

[Double D]

You will have better luck vent priming if you crush the 2F and put that down the vent.   I like to prime vents and use FFFFg.  Those who seen me do it know it works.  I also wipe the vent so there isn't a big pile sitting on top of the gun. 

The one tip to make this work first time, every time is to make sure your slow match is a glowing red ember. When you touch the powder.   Can you tell in this video when I didn't have a red ember?

[KABAR2]

But we've all seen the cigar ignition in the movies...  Doesn't Clint Eastwood do it?

Yep! and I think it's done in a westren comedy where the sheriff fires the cannon not thinking it's loaded and hits the house or ill-repute.....
They must use a different brand of cigars in the movies..... 

[flagman1776]

I respectfully disagree.  Some powder down the vent is fine, but the vent needs to be basically clear.  A vent full of powder will burn it's way in like fuse.  Flint shooters know this as a hang-fire.  I always pick my flint vent after charging the barrel & before priming the pan. 
When I make cannon quills I line the straw with 4F (glued) but leave the center open to flash through.  If necessary I open with a wire before it dries.  Never a hang fire.  2F worked fine but was an expedient as it was the finest powder I had with me. 
I didn't leave much powder on top of the barrel...  a single thickness the size of a penny or nickel, certainly not a heap.   

[Double D]

...and it is how cannons were fired at one time......

[Ex 49'er]

Yep! and I think it's done in a westren comedy where the sheriff fires the cannon not thinking it's loaded and hits the house or ill-repute.....
They must use a different brand of cigars in the movies..... 

James Garner in "Support Your Local Sheriff".