Homeade Brass firecracker cannon

[Hermit]

I made this genuine 'Hermit River Arms" firecracker cannon for a Ladyfriend that just loves cannon. She has it pictured on some cannon site too, Rayvin I think. Took me darn near a week to machine out all the pieces :eek:  Touch the spring tensioned lever and the breach drops, close it and it makes a satisfying click like a fine switchblade. Has about a 3/8 bore, 3/8" thick breach, 1 1/4" dia, 4" long bbl.. Cranks up to near 70-80 degrees. I put a firecracker in the breach, fuse sticks straight up that groove and just out enough to light, then one in front of that one, fuse downwards. It blows the second one out and explodes in the air anywhere from 10-25 feet. Chickadees in my birch tree hate it, Lady loves it :-D Matter of fact she was shooting it off where firecrackers are illegal and a Trooper was so intrigued he didn't even nab her. Hermit

[Double D]

Wow, nice work!  Do a little hobby machining or is it your trade also?

I undestand the there is quite a collector interest in firecracker and antique toy cannons.  

Have you visited the Cannon mania website yet, te get some ideas for your next one? Check the Cannon resource post at the top of the forum.

[Hermit]

DoubleD,, Machining is part of my work. When I mentioned shooting black powder 35 years, back that far I also built cannons, turned them in highschool shop metal class, made flintlocks, forged knives and it was before I drove a car(legally anyway) I just love the work, always did.  :-D I make knives that vary from centuries old methods to very modern and modern requires some machining. At times my firearms manufacturing requires machine work also and again I build 1700's period fusils to modern Fnfal and Ak's.  While small cannon is "sort of" hobby machining and gives me a break from gun and knife building (dirty job but someone has to do it) the cannon was actually a commissioned job but my design entirely. I do them on very special request only. I have been asked to do a space age looking cannon recently, can't wait to see the basic plan. Yes been to cannon mania and a few other cannon sites, love and enjoy the work out there by some very dedicated, skilled craftsman.  Hermit

[Cat Whisperer]

Hermit -

 You wouldn't happen to have a set of plans for the firecracker cannon would you?  I'd love to make one too.

[Hermit]

Cat Whisperer.. I didn't make any detailed plans of that one, trust me you're not the only one who has asked for plans :-D I can possibly draw up a set from memory. I have been asked to do another but smaller like for ladyfingers. If I do that I can scale them for anysize off the parts for that one. Glad you like it. Hermit

[bgjohn]

Plans please. I need to make one of these.
JM

[Randell]

What a nice project I to would like a copy of the plans excellent work :grin:

[Hermit]

Thanks, Glad you all like it enough to want to make one. I'll get the ole drafting board out and see what I can come up with. Might take me a bit but don't give up. Hermit

[bgjohn]

Hermit,
Did you get those plans drawn up. We're still interested out here.
JM

[Hermit]

BG,, Gonna take a bit of time but I have spoken with Catwhisperer and we will do our best. I am moving shop, life, getting married May1 and it may crimp plans for a couple months. The owner of the cannon is a very cool Lady and I am sure she will provide any photos we need. Along with Cats cad skills there "will be plans" just when I can't predict.  Worst comes to worst I will build another "improve and simplify as I go"  and document dimensions and drawings in the process. This one was built from the foul stinking cesspools of my mind in a "engineer as you go mode".  Hermit

[Cat Whisperer]

Hermit -

I think you have your priorities right (I bought my wife a .357 before I got her a ring)!

It'll take a few months of going back and forth to get this done, but it WILL be worth it.  

Best wishes - Hermit - for both of you!

[Hermit]

Thank you Cat. She is a special one for sure, Took me the last 20 years of being alone and ok with that before we found each other. FC Cannon? Plans will happen, everyone "needs" one of these :twisted:  Hermit

[bgjohn]

Can you come up with a list of materials needed to make this cannon? That way we can start accumulating what we need to build this. Plans can come later.
Jm

[mwarnick1]

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/webBBS/parts.cgi?read=105854

It looks like Tapco has something similar for sale.  It might be interesting for the price but definitely not as nice as the one pictured earlier in this thread.

Matt

These are a Real Blast!!!!
A Cool New Way to Celebrate Independence Day
Just in time for your 4th of July party...you haven't had this much fun shooting firecrackers since you were a kid!
Manufactured by the Original Kennesaw Cannon Company in historic Kennesaw, GA, these miniature cannons are ideal for celebrating holidays and other special events.
Standard size firecracker fits perfectly in the barrel
Sturdy, all steel construction
8mm bore diameter
Made in the U.S.A.***Call george and Reserve yours eairly Just 19.99 ea

[bgjohn]

We're still waiting for plans on this. Please, please!
JM

[bgjohn]

We're still waiting for the plans. It's been nearly a year.
JM

[Double D]

bgjohn,

Sorry it looks like Hermit is gone.  His website is down and he hasn't posted since last year.

I hope he isn't gone like Jim Waits.

[Cat Whisperer]

The time has come to design our own.

Time for a new thread on that design.

Brass is in order (for looks).

Firecrackers - hmmmm, I'll have to dig deep or go to SC.