Author Topic: My new baby.... (Read 948 times)

Soot Sucker · « **on:** October 13, 2004, 02:54:17 PM »

My new Eprouvette Mortar. It's small but very well made it has thick walls and although it's only 5" tall it weighs little over 9 lbs. It is cast from high strength ductile, or nodular, iron. and has a golf ball sized bore. I took a movie of it firing with my cheap digital camera. Sorry there is no sound but looks impressive. Try viewing it frame by frame. Very impressive muzzle blast for such a tiny piece.

It takes a minute or two to download the site (using dial-up connection)

I had to edit this post because I had a link to the movie but angel/fire does not allow direct linking. You can't get there by just clicking on the link. You have to copy and paste the following into web browser "address" window.

http://www.angelfire.com/scary/big-guy/PA130001.MOV

I'll get some close up pics of it also.

Regards,
Dave[/url]

Soot Sucker · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2004, 05:54:20 PM »

Here's some close up pics. "Click" on pics to enlarge.

batycb · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2004, 07:32:06 AM »

Did you build this yourself, or did you buy it somewhere? do you have any range data or how much of a charge used?
Just like a kid in a candy store now I want one!

Soot Sucker · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2004, 01:11:23 PM »

Hi Chris,

I did not build it myself. I purchased it from "Beaufort Naval Armorers" I am very impressed with it. I was shooting it today firing golf balls. This little mortar is louder than my other larger golf ball mortar. I suspect it is louder because I believe this little mortar has less windage than my larger one. I worked up to 100 grns FFFG in it today. It had a impressive report and went well past my homemade (cleared) 300 yd shooting range. It landed somewhere in the empty woods behind. I just used this much powder to see how loud and how impressive the flash would be. I agree with Double D when he says it more fun to use less powder and actually see the ball or shot in flight and see it land. Just like when watching mortar events in the N-SSA and AAA its fun and exciting to see how close you can get the "shot" to a stake in the ground or some other type target.

http://bna.bircherinc.com/

Regards and safe shooting,
Dave

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2004, 03:53:11 PM »

Dave -

Good purchase! That's the right price range for a golf-ball launcher. (I can't produce something like that in that price range because all mine are cnc milled from 4140) Cast is just right for that caliber AND you've got it right - that caliber and 100 yards or so range is just right too.

Thanks for the pictures! And for the link.

Soot Sucker · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2004, 06:45:51 PM »

Hey Tim,

I first saw this mortar at Gunbroker.com. I had some questions so I called and spoke to the owner of Beaufort Naval Armorers. His name is Jim and is a super nice guy and eager to talk about cannons and mortars. I could tell right away he knew his schit about these things, both in firing them and making them. He sold me on this little mortar, so I purchased one. I am very happy with it. We have shared several emails and he also has a larger mortar milled of steel and has a 2" bore. He also wants to start making a full size 12 and 24 pdr steel mortar. I would love that. I am saving up for a bronze 24 pdr mortar from "cannons online" but would prefer one made of steel especially if it's cheaper :wink:

Tim, I did not know you made your own mortars. Do you sell any? whatcha got for sale?

Regards,
Dave

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2004, 11:37:04 PM »

Dave - What do I make? A variety. Mostly for myself, but I have sold a few. For market I have golf-ball and beer-can caliber coehorns turned from 4140 on cnc equipment. When I get the next batch of either ready I'll advertize.

For myself I built my first - OLD beer-can caliber from a piece of hot-rolled steel back in '74-'75. Fired it on July 4, 1975 - 200th anniversary of the first shot heard round the world. Did so at Ft. Devens, MA about 20 miles down the road from the bridge between Lexington and Concord.

The second I had a local company make for me - 4.55 bore diameter, shoots 4" pvc pipe filled with concrete - 3 to 7.5 pounds goes 350 meters. Pictured on the left. Industrial hard chrome plated inside and out. Tube and trunion weigh 103 lbs.

Did a hand-held "hand gonne" in golf ball caliber - pictured in another thread here. In the middle ages (1300 or thereabouts) they were stuck on the end of a pole and would pennetrate body armour with 1" rocks.

Working on a bowling ball mortar. And thinking about doing several in smaller calibers like 20gauge (.625") 12 gauge, 1", film cannister and others.

So many toys, so little time.