has anyone had any luck with building a mortar sling cart? I want to rebuild mine to be a 5/8 scale sling cart with 36 in wheels. any pics?? come on cannonman I know you have a pic or something.
rick bryan
3rd va co B
N-Ssa
11434
Rick,
I've got photos of a sling cart, (which is a huge affair) and have read of a hand sling cart (the frame is made of iron). They were both intended to move artillery pieces slung underneath their frames. I have never heard of a mortar sling cart, which, by the way, doesn't mean they didn't exist.
THE
HAND-BOOK OF ARTILLERY,
FOR THE
SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES,
(ARMY AND MILITIA.)
WITH THE
MANUAL OF HEAVY ARTILLERY, INCLUDING
THAT OF THE NEW IRON CARRIAGE.
BY
JOSEPH ROBERTS,
MAJOR 4TH REGT. ART., U. S. A., AND COLONEL 3D PENN. ART.
FIFTH EDITION,
REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.
NEW YORK:
D. VAN NOSTRAND, 192 BROADWAY.
1863
PREFACE TO FIFTH EDITION.
The following compilation was prepared for the instruction of non-commissioned officers and privates of the Artillery School, where it was in successful use as a text-book. Much of the matter is taken from Burns’ Questions and Answers on Artillery, Gibbon’s Artillerist’s Manual, Heavy Artillery Tactics, the Ordnance Manual, and Kingsbury’s Artillery and Infantry.
The compiler acknowledges his indebtedness to a work on Ordnance and Gunnery, by Captain Benton, for a portion of the matter on Rifle Cannon.
FORT MONROE, VA., 1863.
3. What is the MORTAR-WAGON designed for?
The transportation of siege mortars and their beds, or of guns, or large shot and shells.
83. Describe this wagon.
The limber and wheels are the same as those of the siege-gun carriage. The body consists of a platform of rails and transoms, resting on an axle tree, the two middle rails being prolonged to form the stock; six stakes or standards are inserted in sockets on the side of this platform and used to secure the load.
The side rails are prolonged to the rear, and furnish pivots for a roller placed immediately in rear of the platform. This roller has holes for the insertion of hand-spikes, and is used in loading the wagon; the guns, mortars, &c., being drawn up on the stock.
A muzzle bolster on the stock near the limber, and a breech-hurter near the hind part of the wagon, are provided and used when long pieces are transported on it.
Mortars are usually carried mounted on their beds.
84. What is the use of the HAND-CART?
For the transportation of light stores in siege and garrison service.
85. Describe it.
It consists of a light body with shafts, mounted on two wheels. The shafts are joined together at the ends, and supported immediately in front of the body by iron legs.
80. What is the use of the HAND SLING-CART?
It is used in siege and garrison service for transporting artillery short distances.
87. Describe it.
It is a two-wheeled carriage made entirely of iron, except the pole, which is of oak. The axle-tree is arched to make it stronger, and connected with the pole by strong wrought iron straps and braces. In the rear of the axle a projection is welded to receive the end of a strong hook. The end of the pole terminates in a ferule and an eye. The eye is for the purpose of attaching to the cart, when necessary, a limber or a horse.
88. How great are the weights that can be transported by this cart?
It should not be used habitually for heavier weights than about 4000 lbs., but in case of necessity a 24 or 32.pdr. gun may be transported on it. For heavier guns or material, the large sling-cart drawn by horses or oxen should be used.
Drewry's Bluff, Virginia (vicinity). Sling cart used in removing captured artillery.
Sling cart used in removing captured artillery from Fort Darling, April 1865.
Fig. 130 - Upper right corner, hand sling cart with iron frame and wheels.
