Newbie looking to identify navy cannon?

[justinjtm]

Hello All,
I am looking for ideas on a cannon barrel I am thinking about buying.  It measures 36" in length and the bore is 1 7/8 inches.  It is cast iron and steel lined.  No markings on the piece.  I think it would be a neat piece to have maybe fire someday.  The owner wants $250 for it however being new to ths I'm not sure of the value.  Any ideas would be appreciated.
 
Cheers,
 
Justin
 

[Soot]

I'd pay $250.00 for it.

[flagman1776]

Buy it.  Try to act casual so he doesn't get suspicious that he priced it too low. 
If it has a steel liner, it's most likely a repro.  Examine it with a bore light or even a flashlight. 
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/default.php?cPath=22_106_665
http://www.hernironworks.com/cannons.html
 

[seacoastartillery]

     Looks like you have a replica of the British Armstrong 6 Pdr. Gun.  Also fits the size of a very approximate 1/2 scale.  Don't thrust your cash in his face too quickly, you might scare him!  Be sure to check out that liner inside and at the muzzle for flaws.  If it is only 1/4" thick beware.

Tracy

P.S.  Take a look at this site and see if the 6Pdr. has all the features like the cannon in your post.

                                               http://www.modelshipwrightsdatabase.com/Articles/ARMSTRONG%206%20POUNDER%20S2.PDF

[cannonmn]

Tracy, now c'mon, put your spectacles on and try that again.  I see no resemblance  between what's in your drawing and the photo, especially in the muzzle area.  Also the drawing is of a long stretchy cannon and that in the photo is short and pudgy.
 
I agree that it is a repro, but looks more like a repro small field gun, 18th C type, to me.

[justinjtm]

So to better understand I have a couple more questions.  If its a repro.  Could it be fired if I so chose?  I have a friend that does antique woodwork and offerred to make me a base for it.  Also, in about a month when my wife makes me get rid of it because I've almost blown up my house, is there a place to sell these things where i could at least get my money back? 

[cannonmn]

So to better understand I have a couple more questions. If its a repro. Could it be fired if I so chose?

 
For us this is like asking "see that Ford over there about 100 yards away, how does it run and will I have any trouble getting it registered and safety inspected?"
 
We'd need a lot of details to answer that question, and still couldn't give you 100% assurance it is ok to shoot.  Is the liner seamless, how thick it it, is there any corrosion at the bottom of the bore, how was the liner constructed, is the vent thru, is there any erosion at the base of the vent, does the liner have deep corrosion pits, etc. etc.

[Artilleryman]

One more question, was the barrel cast around the liner or was it bored and lined?

[justinjtm]

I will do my best to find some of these answers, however not knowing these things I guess I should then operate under the assumption that this cannon may not be usable to fire in it's condition.  If this is the case, I would imagine this would bring down the value somewhat.  Should I make a lower offer assuming this may be the case?  I just don't want to spend $250 in the end for a huge paperweight.

[GGaskill]

Look down the bore with a strong light and see if the breech end looks like it is in the center.  If it is, that's good.  If it isn't that's bad and I would pass on this as a firing gun.  While you're looking down the bore, see if there is a welded seam anywhere along the length.  If not, that is good.  What is the OD and ID of the liner?  Is there any corrosion or are there loose pieces or inclusions in the bore?

Let us know.

[flagman1776]

Do a detailed inspection of the gun. 
Measure the barrel overall length, the length of the bore inside, the bore inside, the barrel OD at the breech, the barrel OD at the muzzle, the trunion length & diameter, the vent (touch hole) diameter,  the thickness of the liner.  Take a small bright light & inspect the bore for rust & seams. 
Try to see if the bore is centered properly.  (Some early repro guns with liners cast in place, the liners got off center leaving one side too thin.  Come have reported shining a bright light in the vent, there were able to see where the light struck in the bore.   
A picture with ruler of the muzzle, and inside the bore would be helpful to advise.

[buzz36]

Tell you what Justin
if you dont buy it send me the info and i would buy it
 

[justinjtm]

Talked to owner about questions however he doesn't know much about it except he now says he's got to have $350 for it.  Without knowing condition issues and having to build carriage etc.  This could be a costlier project than it maybe worth.  It appears I can buy replicas online in good condition for $650 some with carriage etc. Am I missing something here?

[flagman1776]

Without knowing the answers by my own inspection, I'd not buy it.  It was a deal at 250...  not so much at 350...    Others may buy it, without a proper inspection...  hoping the tube is alright...  not realizing the cost of the carriage. 

[gulfcoastblackpowder]

I've never been a fan of people jacking the price they quote me within a reasonable amount of time.  Perhaps you figured out the quote was too low, but if I come back to buy it within the understood time frame, and it's gone up, I don't care if it's still a deal, I'm walking away.  Feel free to charge the next guy a higher price, though.

That said, it looks like it might be a decent deal, but the inspections these guys have suggested are important when buying any cannon.  I'd even recommend them for a new one.  It makes sure there weren't any factory defects in a new tube or abuse in an old one.

Also, as said, the cost of a carriage can easily exceed the cost of the cannon.  I'd want to make sure that putting the time and money into building a carriage would result in the final product you want - in this case, a firable cannon.