Author Topic: Blaster Bob's Deck Gun! (Read 1688 times)

Double D · « **on:** April 01, 2004, 12:42:07 AM »

So Bob tell us what we are looking at here!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2004, 03:07:21 PM »

AWESOME.

Industrial strength/weight sides, BIG BORE, adjustable.

I'll bet the muzzle flash will wrap around your head and burn the hair off the back of your neck too.

You could even put a 'scope on it!

I've seen the breech-cap approach used on .50 Cal browning barrels with mauser action with a LONG firing pin. Not bad with a BIG muzzle break. Pleanty strong - no problem with loosening up - headspace is just right every time too.

Blaster · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2004, 05:17:04 PM »

OK...We just returned from the BIG Tulsa Gunshow this afternoon and found the post with pix of my cannon. I'll work up some details about this toy and will post them tomorrow (Tue). Thanks, Blaster (Bob)

Blaster · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2004, 02:53:30 PM »

Well, here are some specs of the "brain storm" Naval Deck Gun.
Picture 1: Completed gun with 20 m/m projectile.
Picture 2: Elevating device.
Picture 3: Breech cap, vented for fuse fire firing only.
Picture 4: Breech cap (again) weight 6 lbs.
Picture 5: A look down the rifled bore. Has a spot of arc weld to prevent
insertion of 20 m/m case.
Picture 6: Threaded breech end of tube.
The carriage is made of 3/4 inch steel plate. Complete gun weight-60 lbs.
Cast iron 4-inch wheels, 2-inches wide from Northern Equipment Co
Only one set of wheels, and rear of carriage built like a spade to dig in.
The tube is 13 1/4-inch long, trunions are 1-inch dia., carriage sides are 15-inches in length and around 10-inches high.
Has been recommended to use about 140 grains FG or cannon grade Blackpowder or can use 600 grains WC860 (.50 BMG powder)
Sorry that I got so carried away and made this rather lengthy description. Oh yes, I have yet to shoot this contraption but will post the results and a picture of what's remaining after that first shot. Thanks for the interest. Blaster (Bob)

Double D · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2004, 06:13:11 AM »

Blaster Bob,

You mention of a spot of weld in that chamber concerns me. Application of heat in the area would affect the heat treatment in a critical area. I sure wouldn't use any smokeless powder in that gun. Stick with blackpowder.

Blaster · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2004, 12:32:32 PM »

DD....I see your concern about that spot of arc weld that is there to help prevent chambering of 20 m/m cases. Look at the 5th picture and see that spot at 8 o'clock. As thick as that chamber is, do you really think that the heat from that little spot will weaken the chamber, that much, at that point?? I realize that the chamber is only as strong as it's weakest point so you are probably correct with your concern. And, I don't suppose magnafluxing that area would show any breakdown in the chamber material?? Hey, I'm glad to hear the concerns of the folks who know about this type stuff as those concernes may just help me retain my fingers/arms/eyes and life. Thanks for your interest. Blaster (Bob)

Double D · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2004, 01:59:44 PM »

Bob I would not be overly concerned about. But before firing I would polish that spot as smooth as I could get it. You don't want a rough spot were black powder fouling can get trapped and start rusting.

By the Way I have been waiting for your report on the Oklahoma show.

Blaster · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2004, 02:57:51 PM »

DD....I presume your last one was directed to me although it starts out with "Bill". If is was meant for me, Bob, no problem as I had an older brother named Bill and I was always being called Bill/Billy. Yeah, I will do a little Dremel work on the weld spot to eleminate the chance of BP build up which could lead to rusting. That'll be the easy part.
Now, the Tulsa GunShow. It was fantistic with it's 3,800 tables and there was a waiting list for folks who wanted a table but were too late as tables were completely sold out. There were some cannon/mortars there for sale. One of the larger dealers, Wild Imports of Florida, displayed and sold a bunch of their brass shooters at some discounted prices. By buying there, the shipping was avoided and if I'd had some room for it, I would have bought a large mortar. I believe the bore was around 6 or 7-inches and mounted on a substantial wood frame with heavy/heavy duty re-enforcements. I did see and met Stuffy25th IA. Nice chap but since I was kinda stuck behind my table, we couldn't visit much.I'm sure he will provide some feedback on those brass BP cannon. Have not seen him on this forum for a while now. Perhaps he's in shock from all the stuff he saw at that gunshow. Keep your powder dry, Blaster (Bob)

Stuffy25thIA · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2004, 04:43:28 PM »

I'm here Blaster, was glad to have the chance to meet you in person at the Tulsa show. The show was great, thou just a little to large for my liking, just didn't have the time to stop and look at all the small items that people had on their tables, always something good at the bottom of the pile I say. As for the brass motars, just wish I could afford one, really liked the bigger ones. For those who would like to see them, they are being sold on Guns America, just look under cannons.
When you touch that thing off Blaster, let me know, I'll step out side and look for the flash, I'm only a few hundred miles away.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2004, 05:15:14 PM »

Quote from: blaster

DD....I see your concern about that spot of arc weld that is there to help prevent chambering of 20 m/m cases. Blaster (Bob)

Some metals, such as 4140 or 4130 (which are common rifle barrel steels) tend to crack when welded unless heated to several hundereds of degrees F.

So the question is will it or will it not affect the barrel of THIS cannon. What flavor of steel is it? Place your bets.

Blaster · « **Reply #10 on:** April 09, 2004, 05:03:15 AM »

O.K. Stuffy, I'll let you know when I set this "critter" off. You may also want to have some hearing protection in place too!! At the bottom of your message, it shows, "the first liar doesn't stand a chance". I had an Uncle in Iowa who always used to say that same thing whenever we offered some weird story. You provided a good memory of him.
Cat Whisperer -- I have no idea as to the flavor of steel the tube is composed of. All I know is that it's a standard 20 m/m barrel.
Also,
within the next couple days, I'll take a couple pictures of an appliance that was included when I purchased a mortar with a beer can size bore.
I had asked David Ross of Cannon Mania if he had any idea as to how it's to be used, he had no ideas at all. Perhaps you fellows or someone on the board will come up with an idea for it's use.

??
Thanks again for the interest guys. Blaster (Bob in CO)

Blaster · « **Reply #11 on:** September 15, 2004, 02:20:24 PM »

I finally shot the "deck gun", my repro copy of the Civil War Whitworth gun. Had most of my things to do caught up so took the deck gun down to the field. I placed it about 50 yards from my back-stop and put about 15 lbs of sand bags on the upper rearend of the carriage. Inserted the projectile, inserted foil bag of 200 grains FG, screwed the big chamber screw on, punctured the foil bag, shoved the fuze down the fuze hole, lit it and stood behind the wood pile. Had the camcorder on making a video of the shoot as I had no idea of what to expect. It made a healthy BOOM, did hit the target and the projectile was laying on the dirt mound about five feet behind the target (which was a nice piece of corrugated plastic, same as used for many soft drink signs etc)
Was going to try it again with a little more powder, say 300 grains but the huge chamber screw wouldn't budge loose. I used a strap wrench, really put the arm on it and still couldn't move it. So took it to the shop, tapped on it rather briskly with a rubber mallet while using the strap wrench and finally came loose. Man of man, that was a job. The inside looked like a septic tank. I've shot cannons for a quite while now but never had one this dirty. Took about an hour to clean it up properly. There was absolutely no leakage of gases around the threads so that's no worry.
Next time it's to be fired, I'll use some powder - other than BP. I know that it will be much cleaner burning. The brass band on the projectile was very nicely engraved by the lands/grooves. Lot of fun but a whole lot of work for just one shot. Sorry about the length of this post! Blaster (Bob in CO)
P.S. Wonder if there is some type material to add to the threads to kinda help prevent them from sticking/freezing. Thoughts or ideas?? Thanks.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #12 on:** September 15, 2004, 02:32:16 PM »

Suggest using an anti-seize compound. Used commonly in automotive work (hence check parts stores). Historically was made from a fine clay and raw linseed oil, now with modern materials.

The crud comes, obviously, from incomplete combustion. Longer barrel would help, but your idea of different powder is the real answer.

Blaster · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2004, 12:35:13 PM »

OK C.W.....went to the automotive parts place today and picked up a jar of anti-seize compound. Cost around 6 bucks but if it makes it just 1/2 as difficult to remove the chamber nut, it'll be money very well spent. See the size of the nut in the pix above. Do you feel that I should cover ALL the threads with this compound. Don't really have to use it sparinglly, just want to have as little mess as possible. Your thoughts?
And, thanks again. Blaster (Bob in CO)

maggot · « **Reply #14 on:** September 27, 2004, 07:41:30 AM »

BLASTER
What is the grain of your bullet?
How did you load it?muzzle or breech
Where can I find these?
Do you have a chrono to get some fps?

Blaster · « **Reply #15 on:** September 27, 2004, 08:25:28 AM »

Maggot....sorry but I just recently got rid of this little gun. Someone had indicated that it could possibly be a questionable thing since it was a breechloader and may be a very slight chance that it possibly may not qualify as a replica of an antique. Although it was patterened after the Civil War era Whitworth, rather than take any chances, I merely got rid of it so that I'll never have to worry about having any legal problems with it. It was made from a surplus 20 m/m barrel and the carriage was kinda fabricated as we went along. Again, I don't want anything in my possession that may even be slightly considered a "non-compliance item".
Many thanks for your interest though. Blaster

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #16 on:** September 27, 2004, 01:05:22 PM »

Blaster - I feel the pain with you. It's not easy to make decisions like that. I once bought, sight unseen for $150, a Chinese Model 50 (like the Soviet PPSH 41). On receiving it I knew that I was going to have to take the tourch to it to make it legal. So we did. It will end up being rebuilt into a semi someday.