Just bought a new cannon!

[grizzdude]

Hi, guys hows it going? New here and I just bought my first mini cannon barrel. I was wondering how do I go about safely firing this thing? I figure I should use fffg power but how many gr should I start at and work up to? What size ball sould I fire out of it, can I even fire projectiles out of this? The barrel is steel 12 3/4" long, 3/4" barrel (actual measured .740 ", the trunnions are 3/4" and ball on back is 3/4". The band width at the back is 1 3/4" and the barrel weighs around 6lbs. Thanks guys

http://i39.tinypic.com/2w5oazd.jpg


 

[Doc Brown.]

Hey nice cannon. I cant say for sure but it looks like a piece of tubing with a sweat fit piece of bored out solid for the band and breach. Is it welded ahead of the band? Wheres the welds?  I see designs like this with little explanation of the method of construction on places like Ebay all the time. Normally so not to confuse the buyer and blow there mind with technical mumbo jumbo but you should ask the makers some questions and then repost that question before anyone can tell you how to safely fire it.
 
Looks a lot like this one and the pictures are better. http://www.ebay.com/itm/parrott-style-black-powder-signal-cannon-/251273196051?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=3gnVQVG33IPG073DZ7Gt39Uq47U%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

[grizzdude]

I did ask the seller for information but he had none. All the info he had was that it didn't look fired. I don't see weld marks on the front or rear of the band. It has a thick coat of paint that may make it hard to see though. I was planning to strip the paint and blue the steel.

[Doc Brown.]

See if a magnet sticks to the muzzle of the barrel. Check each part and see if the magnet sticks to them.

[Double D]

I did ask the seller for information but he had none. All the info he had was that it didn't look fired. I don't see weld marks on the front or rear of the band. It has a thick coat of paint that may make it hard to see though. I was planning to strip the paint and blue the steel.

Why?  Why  Blue the steel?  Paint is correct. Looks right and hides fault much better. 

[grizzdude]

See if a magnet sticks to the muzzle of the barrel. Check each part and see if the magnet sticks to them.

So I checked the barrel with a magnet and it is magnetic everywhere, VERY magnetic on the barrel band. Is it possible carbon tubing was used for the barrel band? Maybe carbon steel tubing that was drawn over a mandrel to "cold work" it for a seamless fit?

As for the bluing I'll probably just stick with the paint, I'd like to stay more on the correct side. Thanks for bringing that up double d.