Author Topic: New project, mini Hotchkiss revolving cannon (Read 6395 times)

dominick · « **on:** May 22, 2011, 06:33:49 AM »

I just started on this last week. It's a spare time project. It is 30 caliber muzzleloader, percussion cap fired. The barrels are 6" long and 12" overall assembly length. I am planning to mount this on a 9" diameter wheeled field carriage. I'll post more photos as work progresses.

Zulu · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2011, 06:47:22 AM »

dominick,
That is very cool! I guess it will have a crank handle. Will the carriage be made of wood?
Zulu

armorer77 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2011, 07:45:11 AM »

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2011, 08:35:58 AM »

Fantastic, Dominick, looking really great! One of my favorites from way, way back. Now if you were to consider making one on a traditional Naval Cone Mount like the one in the photo below, then you would really have something.

Tracy

When Mike and I visited Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont in 2008 we took a few photos of this U.S. Navy 47mm Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon No. 22 Wt 1,268 Lbs 1898

Wow, look at that; the cannon barrels have left hand twist!

dominick · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2011, 09:29:47 AM »

Zulu, I found photos of a steel field carriage I like so that is the direction I'm considering. The 1880's style carriage has a twin steel plate riveted assembly for the trail and a round tube axle. This field carriage design is a personal favorite. Photos below. I'm thinking of using 2" x 3/16" flat stock for the side rails and making a pair of [12 spoke] steel wheels. There were a limited number of steel wheel carriages during this time mainly on light Gatling gun carriages. I think I need a stable firing platform with a locking type elevation device because the cannon will not have any firing mechanism. It will have a direct spindle mount rear crank handle and a small mallet to fire each barrel [strike each percussion nipple] as it is rotated to the 12 o'clock position. This is the K.I.S.S. revolving cannon design. Keeps the build time down.

M & T, The cone pedestal is a very interesting design and if I'm correct, it was also used with the Gatling and Nordenfelt guns. Thanks for the idea and the photo, I didn't think of using this mount but I was earlier considering a similar one that is pictured below. I'm not sure if this particular one is a display mount or if it was actually used with the Hotchkiss.

dominick · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2011, 09:47:48 AM »

M & T, Do you know what were these plates are for? Are they part of the original mount?

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2011, 12:42:17 PM »

Quote from: dominick on May 22, 2011, 09:47:48 AM

M & T, Do you know what were these plates are for? Are they part of the original mount?

They are original equipment, Dom, although I will admit that, at first, I didn't think so. After a little internet research, I found a photo that shows the very same set-up on a Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon Naval Deck Gun. Although most of the mounts we have seen these anti-torpedo boat guns on are the solid, sheet steel, cone mounts, this one is skeletonized just like the N.U. Gun. The square plates are obviously part of this mount's bullet shield. From www.boat-links.com

I think the wheeled carriage you found is nicer looking than this one, but some might like this one, I guess. From www.thegunzone.com this image is of a British Hotchkiss 37mm crew in German East Africa, date and photographer unknown.

If you are a fan of inexpensive shingle shot firearms that are very handy, you know the ones I mean, you might appreciate a carriage like this one for your Hotchkiss. This one was found near the Verdun Fortress during WWI. I can say this because I count myself as an owner of one very Handi 12 GA shotgun. It looks really plain and handles like a tire-iron, but I have a soft spot in my heart for it, because it was the first 12 GA I ever bought. It won a few turkey shoots in Louisiana for me too! From www.thegunzone.com

dominick · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2011, 01:06:02 PM »

When I was searching for carriage designs, I came across the one in the photo. It didn't appeal to me either because it looked like a retrofit from a field cannon carriage. That cone mount looks pretty cool with the shield. The skeletonized version is easy to make and not very time consuming.

Spuddy · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 2011, 03:38:42 PM »

Dom,
Some cannons have an appeal about them that catches my attention this is one of those. I think one would look really nice on a cone mount like the one in the M&T photo. Do you have an idea how much one like you are making would weigh with a cone mount?
Tim

dominick · « **Reply #9 on:** May 22, 2011, 04:17:15 PM »

Spuddy, Probably around 20 lbs. So far I'm at 8 lbs. with the barrel. That's two votes for the cone mount. I'm also starting to like the one with the shield in M & T's last post. It may end up with the cone.

Max Caliber · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2011, 02:37:24 AM »

Dom, here is a cone mount that is similar to the one it M&T's picture. Battery Park, Charleston, S. C., 1980

I also have some pictures of a Hotchkiss 1-pounder on a metal field carriage if you need them.

Max

dominick · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2011, 02:49:22 AM »

Max, Thanks for the picture. I'd like to see the field carriage photo also. Dom

Max Caliber · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2011, 03:05:11 AM »

1-pounder Hotchkiss, Cheyenne, Wyoming

Another style of cone mount. US Naval Academy

dominick · « **Reply #13 on:** May 23, 2011, 03:39:00 AM »

Thanks Max, That's the field carriage I was thinking about.

dominick · « **Reply #14 on:** May 24, 2011, 03:19:28 AM »

I discovered last night while machining the breech plugs that it's 25 caliber.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #15 on:** May 24, 2011, 07:45:39 AM »

.25 caliber huh, now it's a real pocket revolver.

I really like this one Dom, and am interested to see which mount you end up choosing.

RocklockI · « **Reply #16 on:** May 24, 2011, 12:41:31 PM »

That thing would make a heck of a boat gun on a swivel mount , maybe a snub nose model .

Gary

dominick · « **Reply #17 on:** May 24, 2011, 01:02:56 PM »

I am going to build both the carriage and skeleton cone mount without shield. Cone mount first. I finished the barrel. I had to shorted the nipples to clear the side frame rails. They are only 3/16" tall. I made the front barrel support thicker, tapered the side rails and added rim-based trunnions.

Zulu · « **Reply #18 on:** May 24, 2011, 01:06:57 PM »

Wow! Outstanding!
I'd kill for that kind of talent.
Zulu

GGaskill · « **Reply #19 on:** May 24, 2011, 01:16:35 PM »

Now one of those that fired 12 gauge slugs would be an impressive weapon.

seacoastartillery · « **Reply #20 on:** May 24, 2011, 02:33:48 PM »

Dom, looks like you are making some nice additions to an excellent start! I sure hope you haven't finalized your rear sight design. The two pics below show an original from the Fields of Thunder site which can be made, I believe, quickly with a drill press and a bandsaw. The rear view brings the details up pretty close. Just more evidence we are slaves to authenticity, I guess. Love that cartridge guide!! You're on a roll, Dom; keep on truckin!

Tracy

dominick · « **Reply #21 on:** May 24, 2011, 03:01:22 PM »

Tracy, I didn't do anything with the rear sight yet. I welded in a rear sight base mount and it looks as if it may be close to the same location as the original. I like the front sight ring mount in your photo and the fact that it brings the sight alignment closer to the barrel that's firing. My front sight blade just drops in a hole in the rail. I appreciate authenticity in scale model artillery and thank you for your input. Keep the ideas and photos coming! Dom

RocklockI · « **Reply #22 on:** May 24, 2011, 03:47:31 PM »

Quote from: GGaskill on May 24, 2011, 01:16:35 PM

Now one of those that fired 12 gauge slugs would be an impressive weapon.

George you read my mind !

dominick · « **Reply #23 on:** August 25, 2011, 02:27:41 PM »

I finished the field carriage for the mini Hotchkiss cannon today and with the hurricane coming I not sure if I'll get paint on it this week. Here are photos of it without paint. I still have some minor things to do to it yet. I will paint the carriage olive drab.

hangfire2 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 25, 2011, 03:03:16 PM »

Very neat. You going to make these an offering in your line? Personally I'd rather have it on some sort of a swivel or fixed mount. The carriage is a nice touch but likely an expensive touch and a solid base is more appealing to me.

hangfire2 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 25, 2011, 03:13:54 PM »

Dom-

How about something like this?

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5df_1255058129

Mike H. · « **Reply #26 on:** August 25, 2011, 03:22:25 PM »

What did you make those wheels out of? The whole thing came together nicely!

dominick · « **Reply #27 on:** August 25, 2011, 03:46:02 PM »

Quote from: hangfire2 on August 25, 2011, 03:13:54 PM

Dom-

How about something like this?

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5df_1255058129

hangfire2,
That belongs to Cannonmn, a GBO participant. Check out his other videos on youtube under "Cannonmn" Dom

dominick · « **Reply #28 on:** August 25, 2011, 03:50:28 PM »

Mike H., The wheels are made from 1/4" x 3/4" rolled flat stock and 5/16" solid round spokes. Tig welded assembly. Dom

dominick · « **Reply #29 on:** September 01, 2011, 08:40:31 AM »

I finished it. I went for the multi tone barrel color like the museum piece that it's modeled after. Ok, I wimped out on the sights and didn't install any.

It appeared that the rear sight would be sticking up right where the operators hand would be when tapping the mallet on the primer caps. I also appears that the land service Hotchkiss which mounted to the field carriage has side rail mounted sights because of the shield and the sea service [naval] Hotchkiss has the top mount sights. This is for sale. I'm asking 500 dollars. I'll pay the shipping cost. I'll post a video when I get a chance. Dom