Dahlgren Boat Howitzer

[intoodeep]

 Here is a nice little Dahlgren Boat Howitzer that I picked up about a month from one of our sponsors. It's about 1/3 scale with a bronze tube. The tube is 14" and the OAL is 35". Below is a photo of when I received it.



 I felt that it needed a bit more "Bling" so, after a little paint and polish it looks like new. I know.... What about the patina..... 

[cannonmn]

As you may know, yours is specifically a model of the "small" model, with tube weighing only 300 lbs.  There were only 23 of those made, of which about a half-dozen survive.  The distinguishing feature of that model is the lack of a trail wheel.  I think the undesirable recoil had something to do with why only 23 were made, when hundreds of the "light" model (430 lb. tube) and over 1000 of the "heavy" (750 lb. tube) were made.

I'm still looking for an original of the "small" model for my collection, if you run into any at your local flea markets or whatever.

[intoodeep]

cannonmn,

 Thanks for your reply. You are correct about the Boat Howitzer. I did neglect to mention that there were three different models of the Boat Howitzer. Also, the fact that they utilized wooden wheels for field use also.

 Do you by chance have a photo of the Small? I've only come across the Light & Heavy. I do believe that there is a Small in your neck of the woods and I'm sure you would have photographed it.

[EL Caz 66]

intoodeep,

Thanks for sharing, here are some photo's I came across showing the rear wheel on its carriage that cannonmn is reffering too. Cann you give us a hint on the sponser? Nice job by him aways! bore size please?





Ed

[cannonmn]

There are a few around here, the USMC museum has one, and there are a pair in Dahlgren, Virginia.  I have old photo prints I can probably find and scan etc. but I will try to find one on the web first.  Easier.

[intoodeep]

EL Cazador 66,

 Thanks for the reply and photo. That's a nice job someone did making that one. I am actually looking for a photo of the "Small" Dahlgren Boat Howitzer the one without the rear wheel. As, for my model it's bore size is 1.125" with a chamber in the rear.

cannonmn,

 If you do come across one of your photos that would be appreciated. I'm in no hurry.

 

[Cannoneer]

   That's a terrific miniature, Intoodeep. There are six different designs of Dahlgren boat howitzer including some steel rifles.

This book by Dahlgren has some interesting Chapters and Plates in it. Title: Boat Armament of the U.S. Navy, Designed By and Executed Under The Direction Of J.A. Dahlgren, Commander U.S.N.
P. 47 Small boat howitzer
P. 49 Field carriages
P. 115 Frigate launch, 34.50 feet in length, with the boat carriage in the bow and the field carriage in the stern
Plate #10  Drawing of a frigate launch
 http://name.umdl.umich.edu/adh3014

There is a B&W photo of the Dahlgren small boat howitzer in "Field Artillery Weapons of the Civil War" by James Hazlett, Edwin Olmstead, M. Hume Parks. You can't see the carriage at all but there isn't a wealth of pictures of this gun on the web. P. 144
 
 http://books.google.com/books?id=twcQGSi1F7QC&dq=Field+Artillery+Weapons+of+the+Civil+War&pg=PP1&ots=4BlA_wkCy5&sig=fxyqHclx5djNlOp9yKrHQEDm5es&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA144,M1

[cannonmn]

There are about 3 pix, none too great unfortunately, of the small Dahlgren boat howitzer arsenal model, now at the USNA museum.  It is in storage now as they are closed for renovation for about 2 years.  The three views of it are at about time 2:45 in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvq3Zc_kmLI

Other models start at about 1:30 into the video.

The way to recognize an arsenal or maker's model is that everything is made to scale, nuts. bolts, firing lock, vent, etc., the workmanship is perfect.  They are made of the same materials as the full-size weapon, as close as possible (in Navy models of cast iron guns, steel is usually used for the barrel material.)  Markings are often the same as marks on full-scale pieces, but not always.

[claypipe]

In Webster, Massachusetts, there are two, or is three Dahlgrens. Two[?] outside the town hall and one inside.

[BoomLover]

There is a "light" Dahlgren in front of the Museum in Gold Beach, Oregon. Supposedly found about 30 years ago in the hills north of town, overlooking the mouth of the Rouge River. "Light" is a guess, could be a "heavy", about 4 1/2 feet long, and about 2 foot diameter... anyway it is a cool piece of cast metal that would take about 1/2 lb. of Fg BP to make an impressive Boom!

[intoodeep]

BoomLover,

 Is this the one? These as photos I took a couple of years ago when I saw it. I believe this was actually called an "insurance gun".  It had a 4.62" bore and rifling. As, I recall there were no markings on it.

 It's actually a shame that is sitting outside in the salt air not to far from the shore line. Also, very close to the road and nothing really securing it.

 To add: The term "insurance gun" meant that old merchant sailing ships had to carry cannon to chase off pirates, or Lloyd’s of London would not insure them.

[BoomLover]

Yep, that's the one! Good job on the photos! It is a shame the way it is out in the weather, salt air and such, and not secured to a mounting. I was also told that the carriage is after-the-fact, made to support the piece as displayed, not to be confused with original equiptment. Again, great pics!

[cannonmn]

The iron "soda bottle" shaped gun was almost certainly made by Cyrus Alger, who made a great many different insurance guns in various patterns, often based on variations of Dahlgren's basic design.  The Alger marks would be on the right trunnion and would read "C. Alger Boston" or similar.

[intoodeep]

Here's one more photo of the muzzle face. You can see the rifling. I believe I had more photos but, I had lost my hard drive since them and I don't remember where I have the back-up photos. As, for markings. I did look at the time and there where none on the muzzle face or, trunnions. I am familiar with the Algers markings and they would have really stood out to me.

[Ex 49'er]

Welcome to the forum, BoomLover. You'll find lots of friendly and knowledgeable cannon enthusiasts here.
What do you like to make noise with?

[Cannoneer]

   Ordnance Instructions For The United States Navy 1866

 Part II Equipment And Manoeuvre of Boats P.1

Form Of Exercise And Manoeuvre For The Boat-Howitzers Of The United States Navy  P.10-P.27

Embarkation of the Howitzer P.18   Some interesting diagrams, including the positions of the 12 man crew on the drag rope for pulling the gun on the field carriage.

http://library.beau.org/gutenberg/1/9/0/5/19058/19058-h/19058-h.htm

[BoomLover]

Welcome to the forum, BoomLover. You'll find lots of friendly and knowledgeable cannon enthusiasts here.
What do you like to make noise with?

Wow, must have spaced out for awhile, I saved the page, but just now found it again! I'm sorry for the late response, but thanks for the "welcome!" I'm working on my first cannon, but did purchase a small 8" field cannon on a carriage, which I have fired a few times, just a little "popper". Soon I hope to test a 1/2 scale Mt. Howitzer I'm working on, kind of a hybred modification which I want to mount on a Dahlgren type deck mount, further modified by adding wheels....it will be interesting!

[Blaster]

Of course this is not a Dahlgren Boat Howitzer and it's only 1/7 scale but it IS a Dahlgren.  Made by SBR and I've had it for about ten years now.  Has a 1-inch bore and is a powerful/noisey little cannon.