It is fascinating to see what these auctions will yield. So what if we made day laborer wages! The fun quotient was very, very high indeed and to us, THAT is what was important. The $5000 take home was necessary, but the way we earned it was up to us. It's probably a good idea for us and maybe some of you to look at the creative process used to achieve a cannon design capable of being manufactured. The following is that story.
During the initial 20 day discussion of what type of cannon to build, which we called the ‘Brainstorming Session', Mike and I talked to each other and 6 or 7 GBO Cannon and Mortar members about the size of cannon to build, type, model, muzzle loader or breech loader and blank, firecracker or ball shooter.
GBO member Wolff suggested we look into the elements of what is termed, “Steam Punk”. Interesting is the fact that the story of Captain Nemo’s exploits in his submarine, the Nautilus, begins in 1866, the same year that Krupp first displayed his giant 14” Seacoast Howitzer. Brad posted the following image of the Nautilus created by German Computer Graphic Artist, Malerwerkst, an extremely talented fellow. This photo was brought forward from this thread to save everyone time.
I responded to his post with this: " Brad, I think I am at least a full generation ahead of your 'Steam Punk' terminolgy, but I was curious, so I Googled it. Hey, that's the stuff I like! Tom Swift novels, old steam engine technology with gleaming stainless steel, futuristic, sheet metal. Art Deco stuff. 'Rocket Man' movies.
Thanks Brad, now I have a name for the way I see the world.
When completed, the cannon should reflect some element of this. We decided which of the cannon’s nuts and bolts and other external hardware features to create with this in mind.”
Further thoughts on design came later, after the first set of drawings had been completed. Normally during this period the design is simplified for manufacturability. In this period from the end of July to mid September we decided on breechblock indexing for capping, loading and firing and also finalized the striker assy. Not until the end of November did we know exactly how long the entire breech would be. Loading experiments revealed a serious fault in the length of the loading port. It was lengthened in the fourth prototype eventually purchased by member, Gulfcoastblackpowder.
I sure do love this part of the cannon making business and I am probably most oblivious to my surroundings when I am right here:
We sure had lots of help designing this gun and we hate to try to publish a full list and risk missing someone. So we thank everyone very much and extend a special thank you to Victor and RocklockI for giving us lots and lots of good ideas, some of which were produced and placed into the Krupp Gun assys. Finally, we don’t begrudge anyone’s success in these auctions. It’s your property; you can do what you want with it. After all, it is the actual designing and the creation of these guns that keeps us interested, not the pile of finished pieces or the money derived from the sale. We will be making more of them, although of a different model, because, for 10 years now, we have been having more fun than working people are supposed to have.
Regards,
Mike and Tracy
