We agree with Bob Smith; there does not seem to be any reason why a replica should find it's way into any museum and per Cannonmn there is not one sign to proclaim the lack of authenticity. Although we have not spoken of it before, anywhere in these forums, Mike and I think there are legitimate uses for well made replica cannon.
Not in cemeteries, not in parks, but rather, in forts. Most forts in the U.S. have very few, if any, original guns of the type which accurately represent the cannon present when these forts were garrisoned. We feel that a fort without cannon is like a dog without teeth; why have it? A few cannon or perhaps a whole row give the casual visitor and even the seasoned fort-exploring veteran some idea of the tremendous power of a fort's armament. So, we salute those companies in the past and the present who have produced replica guns for the forts around our country and the state or federal agencies who have correctly labeled them as such. The photos below are some of the cannon replicas Mike and I have enjoyed seeing in three south-eastern states.
Tracy and Mike
These large cast iron replicas of the 10" Rodman Guns emplaced at Ft. Clinch in Fernandina Beach, Florida were very well made. Mike checks out the sounds of his knuckles on the casting. The trunnions sounded hollow; the tube sounded almost solid. Must have been thicker. The lack of typical markings anywhere was a solid clue which revealed the replicas at Fort Clinch.
Ft. Clinch with some of its replica Rodmans. Strangely, the design of this fort precluded their use in the event of an infantry or amphibious "Coup de Main" or attack in force, because of the "Carnot Wall" feature of this fort.
This Fort Pulaski 100 Parrott replica tube is found approximately 15 miles east of Savanah, Georgia on Cockspur Island. It was noted as a replica by us from the distance at which this photo was taken. Does anyone know why? This is NOT a mirror image; it is a true view of the gun as it was on the terraplein in 2006.
This Confederate rifled 32-pounder chambered Navy cannon of 42 hundred-weight is a well made fiberglass replica we found at Fort Macon near Morehead City, North Carolina. It was well marked by signage next to it.