Author Topic: The ultimate in big bore cannon (Read 999 times)

Max Caliber · « **on:** April 24, 2005, 11:43:31 AM »

Here is a picture one of my sons took last week in Moscow. This is "Tsar Puschka" or Great Gun of Moscow. Cast in 1586 with a bore of 36 inches, it was the largest caliber ever made until 1944 when the US made "Little David", A 36 inch muzzle loading mortar.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #1 on:** April 24, 2005, 12:59:39 PM »

I couldn't get into your picture, but did a Google search and came up with some interesting bits of history about it. Designed for shot!

http://www.moscowcity.com/attractions/kreml.htm

http://www.aeragon.com/o/ar/eg-05.html

http://bronzecannon.net/cannoninfo.htm

Third_Rail · « **Reply #2 on:** April 24, 2005, 06:23:27 PM »

:eek:

CAV Trooper · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2005, 11:44:57 AM »

WOW! :eek:

I wonder how much powder it took to fire that thing?

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2005, 12:08:37 PM »

Quote from: CAV Trooper

WOW! :eek:

I wonder how much powder it took to fire that thing?

More than I'm likely to use in a lifetime.

.

Double D · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2005, 02:10:09 PM »

Yeah, but wouldn't you like to try!

guardsgunner · « **Reply #6 on:** April 25, 2005, 02:28:09 PM »

Yes Sir, that would be for me!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2005, 03:18:21 PM »

Quote from: Double D

Yeah, but wouldn't you like to try!

Indeed.

Let me thank all of you older folks that paid taxes that supported all the 105mm and 155mm rounds I enjoyed firing when in Field Artillary OCS in 1972! I want you to know that YOUR taxes were well spent on my enjoyment!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2005, 03:47:25 PM »

When I was at Ft Sill in 1972, one of our instructors mentioned he was a 'powder man' in WWII on this cannon: http://user.mc.net/~hawk/biggun.htm .

Not quite 36" bore but almost (80cm).

bigmaximmike · « **Reply #9 on:** April 28, 2005, 08:32:04 PM »

The cannon in Mockba (Moscow) has never been shot. Probably a damn good thing.
It does look damn good sitting in the Kermlin though. In Mockba also see the Red Army Museum (Now, Museum of Central Forces) but actually MUCH better as far as arty goes, The Sankt Perersburg Artillery and Sappers Museum across the Neva river from the Hermatage.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2005, 01:22:42 AM »

bigmaximmike -

Thanks for the tips on what to see!

WELCOME to the forum too!

I have no doubt that someone on the forum will get over to Moscow in the next several years. Note the start of this thread for evidence.

I have a friend not far from here who's father saw Moscow from a few miles away - back in the early 1940's from an entirely different perspective!