Found it IN the Garage - that count?

[Onator]

OK this is not your typical tool/shop question, but with the endless knowledge out there, I’m sure someone can help?

I found this in my fathers garage. I know its a cannon, a replica one at that. No markings whatsoever.

As soon as I can get it out further, I’ll get some measurements and better pictures. Roughly 24” long.

Anyone have recommendations of where to start looking for info on something like this?

 

[nadogail]

Looks like part of a Post Drill,

 

[driftpin]

Something for an American Legion Memorial Day/4th of July/Veteran's Day signaling event.

 

[Hawk]

Possibly a signal cannon for boating event.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Measure the bore of the piece, as well as the depth of the barrel from muzzle to breech. Then go to the details - the mounting to the carriage and carriage, diameter of the wheels and any hub detailing, the springs, how many spokes... does the breech plug remove, what's the size of the priming pan and/or fuse hole? Is it steel, cast iron, or bronze? Is the bore rifled (meaning it was designed to shoot rounds with fair accuracy) or smooth (meaning it's more likely a "sounder" cannon)?

There are a LOT of reenactors out there with more knowledge about cannon, both repop and original, that if posted on the right list, will flood you with more info than you care to know. There were a lot of these that were used by local chambers of commerce to cepebrate things like Memorial day, the 4th of July, Veterans day, etc. that were owned and brought out by local citizens...

Either way, what a cool thing to find hanging up in the garage... if you don't like it, I know a forge out our way that would take it off your hands...

 

[Kaizen]

Should go without saying but make sure it’s not loaded. Looks like a fuse lit but I’d make sure


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[sz0k30]

You are probably better off looking at gun websites than tool websites.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I'm gonna need a video of it blasting a hole through an old rv before I can tell you anything.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Had something liked that as a kid, you put this stuff called bansite into it and it made a pretty good boom. Check out big bang cannons.com, some cool stuff maybe some info there.

 

[Onator]

Measure the bore of the piece, as well as the depth of the barrel from muzzle to breech. Then go to the details - the mounting to the carriage and carriage, diameter of the wheels and any hub detailing, the springs, how many spokes... does the breech plug remove, what's the size of the priming pan and/or fuse hole? Is it steel, cast iron, or bronze? Is the bore rifled (meaning it was designed to shoot rounds with fair accuracy) or smooth (meaning it's more likely a "sounder" cannon)?

There are a LOT of reenactors out there with more knowledge about cannon, both repop and original, that if posted on the right list, will flood you with more info than you care to know. There were a lot of these that were used by local chambers of commerce to cepebrate things like Memorial day, the 4th of July, Veterans day, etc. that were owned and brought out by local citizens...

Either way, what a cool thing to find hanging up in the garage... if you don't like it, I know a forge out our way that would take it off your hands...

I may very well take you up on that. More details once I get it fully dug out...

 

[tarmy]

There is a you **** in this somehow...

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Had something liked that as a kid, you put this stuff called bansite into it and it made a pretty good boom. Check out big bang cannons.com, some cool stuff maybe some info there.

Still have my Big Bang cannon from many years ago. Uses/d calcium carbide and water to make acetylene gas. Hours of fun!!

 

[Sweetcorn]

It's a black powder napoleon cannon. Do a Google image search for that and you'll see a ton of them like yours. Different finishes and sizes as well. There are a lot in your size range.

Lots of different companies made/make them. Legal to own most places, but not all.

There are a variety of calibers for these, but it will likely be marked somewhere on the barrel what it is. Possibly on the bottom and you may have to remove it to see.

Yours looks pretty rusty. I'd certainly inspect the bore or have a knowledgeable person inspect it for you before using.

I have one. Fun to take out once in a while.

 

[Onator]

It's a black powder napoleon cannon. Do a Google image search for that and you'll see a ton of them like yours. Different finishes and sizes as well. There are a lot in your size range.

Lots of different companies made/make them. Legal to own most places, but not all.

There are a variety of calibers for these, but it will likely be marked somewhere on the barrel what it is. Possibly on the bottom and you may have to remove it to see.

Yours looks pretty rusty. I'd certainly inspect the bore or have a knowledgeable person inspect it for you before using.

I have one. Fun to take out once in a while.

Thanks. It does have some surface rust. I’m out of my game with this one so don’t want to really do anything to it. I’ll likely hand it off to someone that’s is interested.

It’s amazing how much stuff my Dad collected over the years and its taking me years to get through it. Truth be told - I’d give up all the cool tools and stuff I’ve found for just 5 more min’s with him...

 

[Charlie51]

It wouldn't be a carbide cannon, would it? 'Just a noisemaker for the 4th of July?

 

[Gutman]

Come and take it!

 

[Onator]

Measure the bore of the piece, as well as the depth of the barrel from muzzle to breech. Then go to the details - the mounting to the carriage and carriage, diameter of the wheels and any hub detailing, the springs, how many spokes... does the breech plug remove, what's the size of the priming pan and/or fuse hole? Is it steel, cast iron, or bronze? Is the bore rifled (meaning it was designed to shoot rounds with fair accuracy) or smooth (meaning it's more likely a "sounder" cannon)?

There are a LOT of reenactors out there with more knowledge about cannon, both repop and original, that if posted on the right list, will flood you with more info than you care to know. There were a lot of these that were used by local chambers of commerce to cepebrate things like Memorial day, the 4th of July, Veterans day, etc. that were owned and brought out by local citizens...

Either way, what a cool thing to find hanging up in the garage... if you don't like it, I know a forge out our way that would take it off your hands...

Ok I’m making some headway on identifying this thing. It says “Juker Spain 70MM - Black Powder Only” Its a smooth barrel for sure.

Thoughts?

 

[firebirdparts]

On another forum they have a bizarre story of the day thread, and somebody got kilt dead at a baby shower in Michigan yesterday by some sort of cannon. It exploded. So I guess you ought to weigh out the right amount of powder but that’s probably no guarantee.

 

[Onator]

That’s awful!

These things make me a bit nervous and 70 MM is getting up there!

 

[Shakes_26]

Its a signal cannon, like the one in Michigan which may have been overfilled, when it detonated and blew apart. The shrapnel killed one of the guest (later died in the hospital, want immediate). The owner was just found guilty (negligent homicide?).

So yeah, have fun, but dont put an eye out!

 

[jd_1138]

Its a signal cannon, like the one in Michigan which may have been overfilled, when it detonated and blew apart. The shrapnel killed one of the guest (later died in the hospital, want immediate). The owner was just found guilty (negligent homicide?).

So yeah, have fun, but dont put an eye out!

Wow, I just googled it and it just happened 2 days ago. Sad. But kinda is a Darwin Award. If someone I know isn't an expert on this stuff and they stuff a lot of powder in a cannon, I am not gonna be near the thing. I will be around the corner of the house -- see ya, wouldn't wanna be ya.

 

[TractorJeff]

70mm(2.75") is a good size Bore on a Cannon with a barrel 24 inches long. I would say it is basically not designed to fire a Projectile. That would be a lot of projectile weight to be pressuring down a Barrel.
It will make a Nice Boom with just a little powder and wadding!

I might be interested in driving to Twin Cites if the price was right....?

 

[Sweetcorn]

Ok I’m making some headway on identifying this thing. It says “Juker Spain 70MM - Black Powder Only” Its a smooth barrel for sure.

Thoughts?

Are you sure it says 70mm and not 70 cal? It certainly isn't 70mm, so if it is marked that way, its mis-stamped.
Most of these are .68, .69, or .70 caliber.
Mine is .70 cal.

 

[Onator]

Are you sure it says 70mm and not 70 cal? It certainly isn't 70mm, so if it is marked that way, its mis-stamped.
Most of these are .68, .69, or .70 caliber.
Mine is .70 cal.

Yes-my bad! Its Cal - not MM. No idea what I was thinking (I am missing a 10MM socket however).

 

[Onator]

70mm(2.75") is a good size Bore on a Cannon with a barrel 24 inches long. I would say it is basically not designed to fire a Projectile. That would be a lot of projectile weight to be pressuring down a Barrel.
It will make a Nice Boom with just a little powder and wadding!

I might be interested in driving to Twin Cites if the price was right....?

Its Caliber not Millimeter - sorry about that.

I am going to sell it. I have ZERO use for this and do need to settle out my fathers estate where this came from. No idea its value though?

 

[firebirdparts]

Found this just using google. I know nothing.

https://avaluer.org/explore/857818-jukar_spain___70_cal_black_powder_cannon

They said $450 on the linked one but there were some more to look at.

 

[4 FN 27]

I’ll likely hand it off to someone that’s is interested.

I am local and I will pay Cash...just say the word.

Edit...this would look great in my office...

 

[didit]

That will make a great "get off my lawn" ornamental piece.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Sell it to 4FN27. I would bet he will have it cleaned up and polished looking outstanding. I will wait for pictures.

 

[4 FN 27]

Sell it to 4FN27. I would bet he will have it cleaned up and polished looking outstanding. I will wait for pictures.

Well...

Met up with Onater last night. Lives right in my old stomping grounds where I grew up in the later half of my teens. We swapped stories for about an hour.

Always nice to meet a fellow GJ member...

The Cannon is home sitting on the Bench. Not sure if I will restore it. Looks pretty cool as is. However I will, I must...I just have to fire it!!!! Need to do a little research and see what I can find out about it prior to lighting the fuse. I have neighbor up the street who has a number of Cannons. I will pick his brain on the subject too.

Onater it was a pleasure!!!! And thank you!!!

 

[firebirdparts]

That does look good.

 

[DocsMachine]

I say leave it as-is!

When ya polish and paint 'em, they start to look too 'new'.

Doc.

 

[cowboy73]

Extra fancy potato gun!

 

[AP514]

What is the Barrel made out of ?

you know if you clean 1 spot it will be all Over..a full restore will soon follow

 

[Michigan Mike]

Glad to see you got it. If you can resist the urge to spiff it up I still want to see pictures when you get it set up for display. And I absolutely want to see pictures of the field test.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Just another thought. Would one of the model rocket ignition lighters fire one of these. If it would you could it would set it off from a good distance. We just had a death in Michigan when something like this exploded. I know with your fire arm experience you would be safe anyhow just an added safety precaution for the first fireing.

 

[4 FN 27]

I say leave it as-is!

When ya polish and paint 'em, they start to look too 'new'.

Doc.

I am leaning that way. I like the ol'school weathered look.

What is the Barrel made out of ?

you know if you clean 1 spot it will be all Over..a full restore will soon follow

Steel of some kind. It does not appear to be cast.

The Knob/Neck/Breech Base appear to be threaded in to the Breech. Need to get the Bore Scope out and see if that is the case. If so I may take it out and see exactly what kind of shape the Breech is in. This should also indicate how the Barrel was made and possibly what kind of material.

Glad to see you got it. If you can resist the urge to spiff it up I still want to see pictures when you get it set up for display. And I absolutely want to see pictures of the field test.

I am resisting the urge...doesn't take much to resist. As mentioned above I am liking the "seasoned" look.

I'll get video...assuming I can find Black Powder.

Just another thought. Would one of the model rocket ignition lighters fire one of these. If it would you could it would set it off from a good distance. We just had a death in Michigan when something like this exploded. I know with your fire arm experience you would be safe anyhow just an added safety precaution for the first firing.

I'll get some what we use to call "Railroad Fuse". When I was in High School I built a Cannon as a "Project"...that the school did not know about. My buddies Dad showed us what to do and how to fire it.

The Fuse which he called Railroad Fuse was very consistent on timed burn rates as long as it was above water. Don't ask me how we found out it burned slower under water...we were fishing...you get a few fish at a time.

I'll cut the required length to give me ample time to get away.

The Cannon I made in School we tested by filling it completely full of Black Powder from the Breech to the Chase and a little Wad at the Muzzle...under adult supervision of course. We lit it and hid behind a concrete wall. It survived. The Vise and piece of Wood it was bolted to did not fair that well. It did tear the vise off the wood. **I will not be testing this Cannon that way.**

After that it was 10 more tests with only 1 cap full of Powder.

Then we were cleared by my buddies Dad to fire it. A few weeks later on Presidents Day we were shooting it off in his backyard. We got 3 shots off before the Police showed up. Lessons learned...Cop was cool about it. Let us keep everything but gave us a stern warning next time the Cannon would be his.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Another cool tale from 4 FN 27

 

[KEH]

It was referred to above as a "Napoleon" cannon. During the French revolution of the 1790s the Paris mob got out of control. Napoleon Bonaparte was a officer in the French army who lined up the small easily moved cannon and lined them up on the street wheel to wheel( or hub to hub) and fired at the mob with grapeshot which had a very calming effect on the mobs. Napoleon later referred to the episode as using a "whiff of grape" to restore order. Napoleon was promoted and eventually ruled France as emperor before being defeated by other European nations at the battle of Waterloo.
I don't know the actual size of the cannons Napoleon used

KEH

 

[steaks&anvils]

There are other GJ delinquents on this thread:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318150

You know you need to post over there too!