What size bore at the breech?

[Commodore Swab]

I've been looking thru my books and have been trying to find what the bore would be at the breech for an 8 inch howitzer. I would think comparable to a 12 pounder? I'm thinking the bore should correspond to another cannon to aid in charges and firing but can't confirm.

 

[Captndan]

The bore size at the muzzle is what's important. I don't understand your question.

 

[Commodore Swab]

The bore size at the muzzle is what's important. I don't understand your question.

As mentioned it's a howitzer, larger bore for the ball smaller for the powder. They are classed on ball/ muzzle size. Think horizontal mortar if you will.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Many such as Coehorns were made with a smaller sub chamber for the powder charge. Do a search under buckstix and deer hunting with an 8" mountain howitzer to see how he built his. Yes, he shot a deer with it.

 

[LECook]

From the book “The Big Guns” by Olmstead, Stark and Tucker, the Pattern 1840 iron siege howitzer had a chamber diameter of 4.62”. 12 pounder bore size.

The pattern 1861 had no cylindrical chamber but instead an elliptical shape transition from 8” diameter at the bottom of the bore.

 

[Commodore Swab]

From the book “The Big Guns” by Olmstead, Stark and Tucker, the Pattern 1840 iron siege howitzer had a chamber diameter of 4.62”. 12 pounder bore size.

The pattern 1861 had no cylindrical chamber but instead an elliptical shape transition from 8” diameter at the bottom of the bore.

That's about what we were figuring comparing with a friend's 12 pounder.

 

[jwbyerly]

I've been looking thru my books and have been trying to find what the bore would be at the breech for an 8 inch howitzer. I would think comparable to a 12 pounder? I'm thinking the bore should correspond to another cannon to aid in charges and firing but can't confirm.

3.54 inches, or 90mm. At least on an 8 inch dutch howitzer from the 1690s. I can provide a copy of the cross section ive got if necessary