Cannon identification

[Boatlode]

Is there a good reference book for dating and id'ing cannons? The only good info I have found is Chapter 5 of Potter's book.

 

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[SADS 669]

One of the members is a real cannon expert, I can't remember his name, I'll try and find out?

Treasure hunters guide by John Potter is really good though will cost you about 4 bucks.

 

[Mackaydon]

Mendel Peterson's book, 'History under the Sea' (1965) has several pages about ID-ing cannon.
As mentioned above, if you have a pic of a cannon you wish ID-ed, we'd like to see it.
Don....

 

[Boatlode]

Treasure hunters guide by John Potter is really good.

Yep - Chapter 5 of Potter's book is the best info I could find. Just wondering if there was a dedicated book out there for id'ing cannons.

 

[Boatlode]

Ok then... read the book. heh... I offered.

I appreciate your offer, but I don't have a photo. I also don't have a camera, but next time I am bringing a tape measure with me to get measurements.

 

[Mackaydon]

Jotting down words, symbols, letters, images, and numbers will also help in the ID process.
Research first where these items may appear on the gun.
Don......

 

[Boatlode]

Jotting down words, symbols, letters, images, and numbers will also help in the ID process.
Research first where these items may appear on the gun.
Don......

I couldn't find any visible markings. Its in pretty bad shape.

 

[Mackaydon]

Can we assume then that it is an iron cannon--versus bronze?
Don.

 

[Darren in NC]

One of the members is a real cannon expert, I can't remember his name...

Smithbrown is your man.

 

[ARC]

Dimensions ? and I guess no photo.

 

[ARC]

Btw... Be it I am no cannon expert... I have sat on... layed on... picked up and held... moved.... and eaten off of... more cannon than you would believe... not many in this state I have not seen.... both public and private in my 46 years.
I know a little... so I will help you... if you want.
#1... I need the bore dimension.... the length... and composite.
(if encrusted then forget bore dimension - get as best estimate as poss)
#2... any marks "raised areas and if touch hole is visable... measure from touch hole to breach area.
#3... is it "ball" shaped end... or handle shaped. etc.

 

[SADS 669]

Btw... Be it I am no cannon expert... I have sat on... layed on... picked up and held... moved.... and eaten off of... more cannon than you would believe... not many in this state I have not seen.... both public and private in my 46 years. I know a little... so I will help you... if you want. #1... I need the bore dimension.... the length... and composite. (if encrusted then forget bore dimension - get as best estimate as poss) #2... any marks "raised areas and if touch hole is visable... measure from touch hole to breach area. #3... is it "ball" shaped end... or handle shaped. etc. <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1054456"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1054457"/>

ARRC,

Your a gent!!

 

[Boatlode]

Btw... Be it I am no cannon expert... I have sat on... layed on... picked up and held... moved.... and eaten off of... more cannon than you would believe... not many in this state I have not seen.... both public and private in my 46 years.
I know a little... so I will help you... if you want.
#1... I need the bore dimension.... the length... and composite.
(if encrusted then forget bore dimension - get as best estimate as poss)
#2... any marks "raised areas and if touch hole is visable... measure from touch hole to breach area.
#3... is it "ball" shaped end... or handle shaped. etc.

View attachment 1054456 View attachment 1054457

Definitely has a round cascabel, and its way too big for a swivel gun. I'm guessing around 10 - 12 feet long, but I will get measurements next time. Can't see any markings, like I said above its in pretty poor condition.

 

[Mackaydon]

For starters, it is a breech or muzzle loader?
Don.........

 

[ARC]

Def not swivel... When you say "poor" condition do you from encrusted growth... or from rust and deteriation?

Like this ?
or? any raised areas that you can tell? on top by touch hole ?

 

[ARC]

Many times by touch hole are the "keys to the cannon" her history and info is almost always located here. and if nothing else the poundage number (what size ball fired) and a foundry mark... the "proof mark"... they had fairly rigid standards concerning cannon and marks were important... if custom made for a vessel they can have the vessel name... although this does not mean the name on the cannon is the name of the ship... cannon were always salvaged when possible and reused... they were sold... stolen... etc etc. Some ships on a budget would buy / obtain cannon from a retired ship. BUT... largely cannon were "to the ship"... and it's hard to believe as heavy as they are that they moved them like luggage.
But anyway... if you found one... there are more... unless isolated find... this can be from "trying to lighten the load"...
This happens when a ship runs aground and is in danger of being damaged and swamped.. or as necessity to regain float...they will pitch overboard anything that will "right the ship".

 

[Boatlode]

Def not swivel... When you say "poor" condition do you from encrusted growth... or from rust and deteriation?

Like this ? View attachment 1054489
or? any raised areas that you can tell? on top by touch hole ?

Both. And no, its not like that. That's a swivel gun, its much bigger than that.

 

[ARC]

I knew that... lol... I meant the RUST etc ... the deterioration type.
p.s. re-read header. "Def not swivel... When you say "poor" condition do you from encrusted growth... or from rust and deteriation? Like this ? "

 

[ARC]

Boat... Im back and really wet... heh. So... Whats the verdict? any identifying shapes?... lumps of raised areas? bore size?
Encrusted or just rusted?
Last night was fading out while typing... I am up at between 3am something and 4 am... so I get spongy after 8pm.

 

[Boatlode]

Boat... Im back and really wet... heh. So... Whats the verdict? any identifying shapes?... lumps of raised areas? bore size?
Encrusted or just rusted?
Last night was fading out while typing... I am up at between 3am something and 4 am... so I get spongy after 8pm.

Took some clients on a guide trip today to the Stickmarsh, and have several more trips scheduled over the next two weeks. Don't know when I will get back to the gun, but when I do I will get some measurements.