Went cannon hunting tonight...

[DaveSB]

A friend gave me a tip on a cannon at a playground in Constantine, MI. It's a good one. By dumb luck, a group of guys were working on it. They turned out to be 'Son of Union Veterans of the Civil War camp 135 (March to the Sea)' and are restoring it. They also turned me in the direction of the next town over for a field cannon. So I drove 10 minutes up the road to another in Three Rivers, MI. 
It was a good night of hunting!! enjoy the pics!
 
Constantine, MI Parrott:
 
Trunion 1: "1862"
Trunion 2:
line 1 "RPP"
line 2 "WPF"

Top: "US"

Muzzle:
Top "No. 93"
Bottom "30pdr."
Bottom line 2 "4.2"


 

[DaveSB]

more of the Constantine Parrott

[DaveSB]

Three Rivers, MI bronze cannon on aluminum field carriage
 
Trunion 1:
line 1 "N.P. AMES."
line 2 "FOUNDER"
line 3 "SPRINGFIELD"
line 4 "MASS."
 
Trunion 2: "1847"
Top: "US"
Muzzle:
Top "JWR"
Bottom "323"

[DaveSB]

(group 2) Three Rivers, MI bronze cannon

[DaveSB]

(group 3) Three Rivers, MI bronze cannon

[Double D]

...in memory of Matt and  Mary Switlik?   Ah Artilleryman can you elaborate....in memory means past tense.

[subdjoe]

...in memory of Matt and  Mary Switlik?   Ah Artilleryman can you elaborate....in memory means past tense.

Maybe the parents of Matt C. Switlik?

Ooops.

forgot to say Thanks for Posting!  Good photos.  I think at that size the Parrott has the most pleasing lines to it.

[intoodeep]

...in memory of Matt and  Mary Switlik?   Ah Artilleryman can you elaborate....in memory means past tense.

 The marker was donated by Matt and his Sister in memory of their parents. They were residents of the area.

[Cannoneer]

Nice work on the photos, Dave; thanks for posting them. I take it that some of the older children that frequent the park in Constantine decided to brighten up the Parrott with a psychedelic paint job.

[DaveSB]

Nice work on the photos, Dave; thanks for posting them. I take it that some of the older children that frequent the park in Constantine decided to brighten up the Parrott with a psychedelic paint job.

Looked to be about 8 different colors of paint, including 2 layers of black at different times. They said the local high school went to state last year and painted it red and white. They worked with the town council and provided "John Deer Black" paint, while Constantine is paying for the soda blasting. They also mentioned that none of the cannon markings were visable until last night for who knows how many years because of all the layers of paint. Looks like I showed up on the right night!! Nice group of people and I couldn't be happier to see them restoring it.
 
Found their webpage: http://www.suvcwmi.org/camps/camp135.php

[Cannoneer]

Thanks for the link, Dave.

SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR   
Newsletter: November 2010

"It has come to our attention that the Parrot Rifle tube in Constantine has been
painted red in recognition of the High School football team making the playoffs.
While this is not in and of itself a bad thing, the tube has been layered with so
many coats of paint that the markings have become totally illegible. The
students are charged with repainting the cannon black, but this may be an
opportunity to do some restoration of the memorial. At the November meeting
we appropriated $50 toward having the tube sand-blasted and Brother Dick
Denney offered to provide the paint necessary to complete the proper
restoration. Perhaps we will be able to perform a rededication in time for
Memorial Day. Brother Chuck will be in contact with local officials to see what
we can do to coordinate restoration activities."

[DaveSB]

Very cool, I hadn't noticed that.
 
If they have any more problems with people painting it over, I'd be more then happy giving the parrott a good home.... or the bronze tube... or both