Author Topic: Deluxe Shimer Firecracker Cannon (Read 1218 times)

toycannons · « **on:** October 03, 2005, 01:04:51 PM »

So here is the first of my two dozen or so toy cannons. I would like to post some detailed pictures and some information about each one.
Some of the information is assumption on my part. I am hoping that other collectors will post examples or be able to supplement or correct me in the information I am gathering. Some day I hope to put a book together about these toys...

This first cannon was granted patent number 538,181 in 1895 to it's inventor Milton J. Shimer. It was made by William Shimer & Son Co. Freemansburg, Pennsylvania who made cast iron toys starting about 1875 and continued into at least 1902.

The cannon had a 5.5" barrel with a 1/2" muzzle opening and the overall height was 3.25"- The wheels were 2.75" tall

The cannon was loaded with a #1 cannon cracker when the breach was tilted open.

These large shimers had plan and fancy wheels. These are the fancy wheels.

All shimers were had the patent date across the top of the barrel- PAT. APR 23 95 (except the tiny one had PAT. APR 23 1895)

Here are all three Shimer cannons, I will put up details on the other two in the near future.

If anyone has additional information on these please contact me.
JT

toycannons · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2005, 03:08:40 AM »

Here is the patent information on this cannon.

kappullen · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2005, 09:43:36 AM »

That's an interesting mechanism Toycannons.
I never saw anything quite like that.

Do you know anything about this little cannon?

One local cannon-nut has been trying to get this out of my possesion for about 10 years.

The rest of mine are from forts and historic sites.

Thank you,

kap

Powder keg · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2005, 04:31:33 PM »

I like the wheels on that one Kap. How big is it? Those wheels would be easy to cast and they look pretty nice. Thanks,

kappullen · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2005, 05:13:07 PM »

Pk,

The wheels are about 2 inches.
The whole thing is about 5" long.

The barrel and trail are cast in one piece.
It has a 1/4 " bore with a touch hole of about 1/16"

Is this a firecraker cannon?

Kap

Powder keg · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2005, 07:21:30 PM »

Thats just a little guy! With the firecracker cannons I've seen, you have to be able to get the fuse out the breech. Also they opened up to remove the spent round. I'd say It's a little BP cannon if the bore and the vent meet?