Something to look at #1

[Max Caliber]

I was looking through a 1958 Golden State Arms catalog today and found this. Not a good picture but very interesting.

[Cat Whisperer]

Sounds like another PROJECT to make!

Cool design.

[phalanx]

That is neat ,i have only read about that piece . On the projectile the fuse was a nitrate soaked burning rope .
You can tell someone  that they had a grenade launcher back that far ,and they look at you like you just saw Elvis.

[mortarmaker]

Looks like my next project! :oI'm going to have to check into that one. Research time!

[lance]

 when i get caught up, on my project list is the same grenade mortar,but with a different base, something like this:

[mortarmaker]

That is awesome Lance, Looks like something someone photo shopped! keep us posted on that one when you get started.

[lance]

mortarmaker, i have several pics of original ones in museums, i can't remember how many different countries used them. anyway here's another pic:

[mortarmaker]

 Yeah, I looked around at a few of the one you want to make but couldn't find anything on the original post.
The gun style was used widely, a little work would go into that one. Interesting item though!

MM

[jeeper1]

Here is a modern version of that grenade launcher.

I found it on the net and don't know anything about it.

[Terry C.]

Looks like a blunderbuss gone terribly wrong! 


Here's a question I've been pondering since I first saw small mortars designated "grenade launchers."

What exactly is the defining characteristic that separates a grenade from a small explosive shell?

Is it size, construction, ignition method, or something else that I haven't considered?


Speaking of blunderbusses (blunderbi?), that's something very high on my "want list" right now.

[lance]

Terry, i'm no expert on the subject, but i'm thinking it has to do with size. i'm thinking of for example, the Grenadier troops, them guys had to run around with a sack full of grenades and a handful of slowmatch. But the main thing about size, was that if the grenades are to heavy, ya can't throw em far. speaking of Blunderbusses, i'm on Wendys waiting list for one of those cool double barrel flintlock pistols. anyway here's another pic with a clue to some info about grenadoes:

[Max Caliber]

Grenade was the name of a spherical shell, before shell as a descriptive term was introduced. Now as then, a small bomb thrown by hand or launched by a devise other than a cannon.

[Victor3]

Here is a modern version of that grenade launcher.

I found it on the net and don't know anything about it.

Oooh... Looks like something similar could be fairly easily put together from an inexpensive flintlock with a shot out bore and a barrel extension to fit a golf ball. That would be a fun gun...

[KABAR2]

mortarmaker, i have several pics of original ones in museums, i can't remember how many different countries used them. anyway here's another pic:

While most of the ones you see seem to be made in England, France or one of the German States,
the one you show is interesting being Spanish with a Catalan style stock. here is one I came across with not only a bronze barrel but lock plate also.











Did you know the British had a bronze cup disharger that fit on the Brown Bess Musket and locked on with the bayonet stud?

[Max Caliber]

That's a beautiful piece Kabar2. Here's a Brown Bess with a grenade launcher.

[lance]

 KABAR2, that is a nice one! that bronze lock plate really adds to the beauty. The pic i posted with the mortar resting on the skull was built by John Buck, he used to live here in Floyd co. i've never got to test one out but i hear that tennis balls are fun in it. i'm going for tennis ball size, got some wood and old locks, now i can't decide on barrel style.

[Max Caliber]

I enlarged the picture of the grenade launcher pictured at the beginning of this topic then made a tracing to show a little better detail.




The bottom of the rack is attached to the side rails with mortise and tenon joints and are secured by  screws/rivets. The joints where the curved and vertical parts meet are probably made the same way.

The back rail and side rails are joined by a half dovetail lock joint. I assume the front rail, which is hidden by the metal strap, is joined the same.

The bottom of the metal strap on the side of the vertical rack part terminates just below the last rivet. The rivets on this part appear to be button head rivets. The other rivets appear to be wagon box rivets which have a large diameter, slightly rounded head. This type rivet was usually used when riveting metal to wood.

The trunnions appear to be set half way into the side rails and held by strap metal cap squares.

Not sure why the top three holes in the rack are there, since the barrel would block these holes when the barrel is raised to it's highest point.

The barrel appears to be resting on a blind dowel or something and there is also one in the top hole. Might be there to prevent people from moving the barrel when on display.

All in all this is a very well designed and fabricated piece. It shows wear and possibly some repairs.