New early cannons

[Commodore Swab]

Ive been working on a mold and have it ready now to start producing wax or concrete (decoration only) cannons and would like your opinions. The intention is to cast a bronze shell that will go around a steel cannon barrel.

 

[hawkeye2]

Those are very impressive. How long are they and are they a copy of a specific cannon?

 

[Commodore Swab]

The dragon cascabel is not an exact copy but close to that of an original along with the dolphins and Spanish coat of arms. The other decoration is taken off a different cannon. Overall the length is 2 feet, I will be able to make them with a 1.75, 2, 2.5, or 3 inch bore. Basically a beefy shorty.

 

[nhmoose]

Crafty you are thanks for the pics :hatsoff:

 

[Gene L]

The dragon cascabel is not an exact copy but close to that of an original along with the dolphins and Spanish coat of arms. The other decoration is taken off a different cannon. Overall the length is 2 feet, I will be able to make them with a 1.75, 2, 2.5, or 3 inch bore. Basically a beefy shorty.

I heard on TV or maybe read it that the early ship cannon were breech loaders since they didn't have a method for rolling the cannon in and muzzle loading them. That came later. The breeches were sealed by driving in a wedge-shaped block between the breech and the barrel. Pretty weak compared to later on.

Good models!

 

[Commodore Swab]

Cannons on board started out as traditional cannons although breech loaders were often common swivels.