Author Topic: Home Built Mountain Howitzer (Read 1118 times)

CAV Trooper · « **on:** January 10, 2005, 08:51:35 AM »

I found this site while I was surfing. Step by step instructions (with photos) from a guy who built a full sized Mountain Howitzer from scratch including the carriage, barrel, tools, etc. A lot of work but kind of cool.

He shoots it using 1/2 POUND :shock: of powder!

{edited to remove link} CT

Double D · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2005, 10:54:33 AM »

Yes, We have had this sight up before and pulled it down once because of complaints.

There are some who find part of the sight distasteful. The Cannon building part of the sight is outstanding.

CAV Trooper · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2005, 05:25:10 PM »

Quote

There are some who find part of the sight distasteful. The Cannon building part of the sight is outstanding.

DD,

Sorry about that. It wasn't my intention to cause any controversy. I looked at the sight again and have to agree with you. The cannon stuff is really cool. However, using it to shoot a deer with canister is just a bit over the top IMHO.

I edited my original post to remove the link. If anybody want's to check out the site, simply do a Google search on "Mountain Howitzer"

Double D · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2005, 05:42:38 PM »

The Contents of this post have been deleted as out of topic. This is the cannon shooting board not the hunting ethics board. The responding post that follows has been deleted also.[/size]

...yes it was my post and I have scolded myself.

Double D · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2005, 01:34:32 PM »

Each time this link to this website gets posted, the discussion has got drawn to the controversial use the maker put the cannon to. There has not been a discussion on the construction of the gun itself.

In consultation with Cat Whisperer we have decide to open this topic for discussion of the cannon described on the website.

Any discussion of the end use titled the HUNT in this thread will be edited or deleted.

Here is the link How to Build a 12 pound Mountain Howitzer Cannon

There is some very useful information posted on this site especially if you are going to build your own gun.

I have a little problem with the trunnions. To me even welding them on they are still weakened by that thin radius cut on the bottom of them. I would have been more inclined have a tenon, close to trunnion diameter that went onto a corresponding hole machined in the side of the tube, after that then weld the flange. Or better yet machine the trunnion full diameter with a flat bottom. Then mill a full diameter flat hole in the side of the tube for the trunnion and weld that in place. That's the method William Green recommended

Monk · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2005, 01:55:56 PM »

Is it better to weld the breach plug in than to cut threads and screw it in?

Monk

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2005, 03:07:33 PM »

Do both.

Thread the breach plug - cut the end so that you get a crush fit to get an extremely good seal - keeping the corrosive stuff out of the threads. Then back where there is no issue of pressure do the welding to hold the breach plug in place. That way there is no issue of corrosion in the porous part where it's welded.

Double D · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2005, 05:43:48 PM »

The last tubes I built I made with a regular breech plug like in a muzzle loading rifle. The screwed in up against a seat. In the bottom of the barrel was a big set screw that screwed into the the breech plug through the barrel wall. The reinforce and cascabel was part of the breech plug. In the reinforce I drilled two holes 180 degrees apart. I made a 2 pin spanner wrench, one pin fixed and the other threaded. I used the spanner to remove the breech plugs for cleaning. It worked fairly well.

I made the these tubes back in the late 1980's in Northern California. I seem to remember making 4 of them over two years. I just can't remember who got them. I don't know how the system worked over time.