Author Topic: Mountain Howitzer (Read 2072 times)

armorer77 · « **on:** October 24, 2009, 06:23:31 AM »

Due to recent inquiries I thought I would try a mountian howitzer , this is my first attempt .

This is Golf Ball bore , but due to the size and weight I think I should have gone to a 2.25 bore .

Comments, suggestions ? Armorer77

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2009, 06:34:09 AM »

Looks pretty good to me. 2.25 bore would be even better. Better trajectory with something other than golfballz.
What is the length and weight?

armorer77 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 24, 2009, 06:41:13 AM »

Good point , The LOA is 18" , weight is 42 lbs. Bbl. length is 12" chamber is 1"x3" Trunnions are 1.5 dia. x 1.75 long . Armorer77

RocklockI · « **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2009, 06:50:59 AM »

Ex49er has a good idea pool balls will be MUCH beter than gbs ,but i hope you can recove some cause they cost .
i collect about 10 per year from the local pool hall ,the owner gives them away . the 8's for the small quarter are too big ...something to do with the ball return .....you dont get it back if you scratch .

with the chamber i dont thinki you'd have any issues ....

armorer77 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 24, 2009, 07:16:28 AM »

I agree , I will start a new boring bar on monday to do this with. This week end I will start searching for billiard balls . Armorer77 .

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #5 on:** October 24, 2009, 07:18:31 AM »

I'll hold out for the larger bore. Hmmmm, I think that the local 2nd hand store has some pool ballz. Guess I'll go shopping today for some cannon ammunition.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #6 on:** October 24, 2009, 08:15:33 AM »

I like it, Armorer77! I'd also vote for the 2¼'' bore size; when you say barrel length 12'', are you referring to the bore depth?

armorer77 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2009, 08:17:59 AM »

Yes , 12" is the ball sized bore . Armorer77

RocklockI · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2009, 01:51:18 PM »

and besides ...they look pretty cool after being painted with undercoat black paint . nice texture .

BoomLover · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2009, 08:09:41 PM »

Good and beefy looking Mt. Howtizer, real nice! Should be a pretty good shooter, sturdy so no problem with whatever load you feed it! Haven't checked the classifieds yet, I'll wait to see what you will be asking for the 2.25"er....BoomLover

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2009, 08:41:50 PM »

Ammo seems to be reasonable on Evilbay - They even had some in 1.25 and 1.50 sizes.
It's possible that local pool halls/bowling alleys may have used balls for howitser ammo on the cheap.
As always the price will be the final determining factor.

Too many cannons and not enough money. If only money grew on trees..........

I have been assilimated and resistance was futile.

Victor3 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2009, 10:05:40 PM »

If the wall thickness is safe with a 2.6" bore, it would make for a nice little soda can shooter. Cheap and abundant ammo in that bore size.

KABAR2 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2009, 01:18:55 AM »

armorer77,

Your howitzer is looking good, the cascabel knob looks a little large in proportion, observation not criticism,

BoomLover · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2009, 04:12:06 AM »

Cascable knob is enlarged in the first pic due to distortion caused by it being the closest object to the focal point of the camera, IMHO...second shot shows it to be in perspective, I belive...what say you, Armorer77?

armorer77 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 25, 2009, 05:15:21 AM »

I cut the ball at 2" . I think I should have gone down to 1.5" . I will start making a longer & larger boring bar Monday , should have 1 ready to test this week end . Armorer77

GGaskill · « **Reply #15 on:** October 25, 2009, 06:50:52 AM »

For a 1/2 scale mountain howitzer, the cascable diameter should be 1.35" and the neck should be .8". The widths of the breech and muzzle bands are .5".

If you don't have one, you should get one of the No. 25, No. 67 or No.68 plans folios from Antique Ordnance Publishers. They have drawings from original plans.

armorer77 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 26, 2009, 07:45:37 AM »

Having built a suitable boring bar and boring a test hole , I have a question ? What it the actual bore dia. ? 2.250 or is it larger . The re-boring will be a long job , I would like to get it right the 1st time if possible . Thanks . Armorer77

intoodeep · « **Reply #17 on:** October 26, 2009, 03:28:53 PM »

armorer77,

The bore size on a original Mt. Howitzer would be 4.62". If you are making a 1/2 scale then the bore would be 2.31". However, a 2.25" bore would be a more practical size.

Double D · « **Reply #18 on:** October 26, 2009, 04:12:56 PM »

The wall thickness of the chamber walls in a howitzer is the guide line not bore.

armorer77 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 27, 2009, 04:21:48 AM »

The chamber stays 1" with 1+ walls . I don't have a pool ball to measure . Thanks for the numbers . Armorer77

Double D · « **Reply #20 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:04:58 AM »

Quote from: armorer77 on October 27, 2009, 04:21:48 AM

The chamber stays 1" with 1+ walls . I don't have a pool ball to measure . Thanks for the numbers . Armorer77

The picture above, is that how you will be selling the barrel? Or, will you offer it with a carriage?

armorer77 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 27, 2009, 11:49:13 PM »

Right now I just have the barrel . My partner is working on a carriage but no telling when it will be ready . Armorer77

armorer77 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 02, 2009, 05:48:22 AM »

I got her bored up to 2.290 bore now . Had a problem with chatter to clean up but I think this will work . Armorer77

KABAR2 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 02, 2009, 07:43:11 AM »

looks good!