While I stop and read often on this Forum, I post very little. But, I did want to show off my latest cannon. It joins my two other cannons and a mortar made by dominick.
This 1841 GB cannon barrel was made to my specs by armorer77, HMR Cannons. Solid 1018 steel. Perhaps you have seen some of armorer77's videos, and if so you know how strong his tubes are. Ed was great to work with so that I could get the length and diameter trunnions I needed. I chose to use both upper and lower trunnion straps, and those were also made by HMR Cannons, a GBO Sponsor.
I made the carriage you see pictured. There are over 70 hardwood dowels, along with what seemed like pints of epoxy and Gorilla Glue. In addition, there are six hardwood rods that pass vertically through the side pieces, the trunnion straps actualy are fastened to four of them. Four hardened steel rods run horizontally through the carriage. The wheels are cast iron that roll on straight roller bearings, and I fit pieces of wood into them for looks. The carriage is based upon schematics I have seen of the carriages on the USS Constitution.
Ready to make some smoke and noise next. Thanks, Ed, for the collaboration.