Noisemaker - Small Cannon or Mortar?

[morehops]

I've been using my Hawken as a 4th of July noisemaker and have been thinking about adding a small cannon or mortar. From what I have seen and can afford, I'm considering a cannon in the 50-69 cal range with about a 4-6" barrel, or a mortar with a 3/4"-1" bore. Never fired either of these before and I don't know anyone who has.
From what I know of blackpowder, the mortar should be louder due to the bigger bore, but the longer barrel on the cannons should burn the powder a bit more completely. Also I'm guessing there is a difference in the sound quality from a shorter bore mortar. If you have any thoughts on this based on experience, I'd like to hear them.
Thanks.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Mortars tend to have smaller powder chambers, more for lobbing objects. Firing well packed wads can make a lot of noise. and would be my first choice. A thunder mug, if you can find one, would be better. I have several small annon, and the 50's and under just don't do a thing. I have an old 75 cal signal cannon, and that can bark louder than my winchester 10 ga blank cannon. A thunder mug with a 1 inch bore and ten inch deep bore is deafening. I do have a 1.25 inch bore cannon. I packed it up with leather wads and fired it twice. The concussion broke a neighbor's window, a half mile away. Almost too loud, for a noise maker in a neighborhood.

 

[Fred_Dwyer]

How about a "Big Bang" cannon. They are pretty loud, and a bit less expensive than a black powder replica. A couple tubes of "Bangsite" and a couple Zippo flints and you be keeping the bats awake for days.

 

[morehops]

Well the mortar sounds interesting. Never had one so that would be something new. Don't want to be paying for new windows but I can always back off the charge.

 

[morehops]

I've got the biggest Big Bang cannon they make. It's kinda kool and barks like a .38 when you get it right. Still, it just ain't black powder.

 

[Mort Scott]

just cast some bronze barells recently. they are about 10 inches long. Mine is bored out to 50 cal. make a great noise. if any of you guys are interested, let me know. I was going to post them on our forum but haven't had a chance yet but will do if there is some intrest.These are cast bronze barells not finished ore bored out.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

How big. length, diameter etc

 

[Mort Scott]

i WILL POST SOME PHOTOS SOON. KEEP CHECKING TTHE FORUM.

 

[trent/OH]

I agree with Zimmerstutzen. As a noisemaker, and a conversation starter, a Thundermug is the way to go. It is designed specifically to make noise, to attract attention from a distance.

 

[Bill Hall]

Looks like you got your answer, but I'll throw in some of my own experience for fun. As a teenager, I was part of a Civil War cannon crew, and we had a cannon and mortar. The cannon had about a 2" bore, and the mortar had a soda can sized bore (we shot soda cans mostly, that's how I know). The cannon was so loud, you had to cover your ears when firing it, or wear ear protection. The mortar however, just made a "POOH" sound, loud but muffled. No reason to wear ear protection. Like mentioned before, mortars are for lobbing projectiles at slow velocities, so not much bang involved. Bill

 

[morehops]

Well thanks, gents. It looks err... sounds like the thunder mug is a darn good starting point. They're the cheepest of all the hardware so it's not a big investment. i think I can see a cannon in my future, though but ya gotta start somewhere :grin:

 

[Karl Helweg]

I have both a small bronze mortar and a small cannon. There are good points to both but I slightly prefer the mortar that I bought from these good folks: http://www.fortvauseoutfitters.com/ They also carried thundermugs.

 

[morehops]

Well I ended up ordering a 1" thunder mug. Can't wait for Memorial Day up at camp! I'll let younz know what I think of it later.
Thanks for the opines!

 

I have both a small bronze mortar and a small cannon. There are good points to both but I slightly prefer the mortar that I bought from these good folks: http://www.fortvauseoutfitters.com/ They also carried thundermugs.

The top looks to be 3 inches across, that's if the bore is 1 inch.

What's the width of the base and the overall height?

What did they charge for shipping?

CP

 

[Karl Helweg]

I never had them ship me anything. When I lived in the Boone, NC area they were a sutler at local events. They are nice folks and had some good deals. I picked up one of these rough sand cast mortars/grenade launchers that took a bit of elbow grease to clean up but I would recommend them. I fits tennis balls nicely.

(I have all brass fitting on mine which I think looks nicer too.)

They were also talking about making a shoulder fired version. A really ambitious person might buy enough to make one of these Russian numbers:

 

[Rifleman1776]

That is wild. Leave it up to the Russians. Errr...in case of a chain fire....where do you stand?

 

Stand? L, you would want to be hugging good old Mother Earth!

CP

 

[Karl Helweg]

The worst part is that the sparks that might only set off a chain fire in other guns might also (and only) ignite the grenades in this one.

For safety with my little mortar I just do not load it for at least 30 minutes. This meant only shooting it once per battle but at least it is loud enough to make it worthwhile. I enjoy reenacting but I enjoy keeping all of my body parts too. :wink: