Hand Cannon?

Ideal Tool · April 21, 2011, 01:07 AM

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has ever made a replica of an early hand cannon..I'm talking no lock..just a barrel & touch hole? Years ago I made such a thing..Reamed it for a .36 round ball..barrel about 12" long, 5/8" dia. with hand filed octagon to round barrel. 3' 3/8" steel "stock" with antique cast iron ribbed door handle for finale at end. Loaded with around 40gr. FFFG, & patch round ball, accuracy was minute of 50 gal. drum at around 50'!
Penetrated said drum though! Always wanted to make one with around 1" bore..but never had the guts..maybe some day!

Model-P · April 21, 2011, 01:30 AM

I made one in High School metal shop. I used probably seven inches of 3/4" steel round stock and bored a hole about .22 pellet size as deep as the bit would go. Then I bent the other end down to form a handle and filed a "V" notch in the top where the breach end of the bore was until I just broke through. One homogenous piece of steel, and no other parts at all. I never had the guts to try it, though I don't see any reason now why I should have worried about it. There was plenty of steel around that puny bore.

Rachen · April 21, 2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Always wanted to make one with around 1" bore..but never had the guts..maybe some day!

After you build that, the only thing left to do is embark on a safari and take on the Big Five

April 21, 2011, 01:07 AM	#1
Ideal Tool Junior member Join Date: October 6, 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,080	Hand Cannon? Hello, I was wondering if anyone has ever made a replica of an early hand cannon..I'm talking no lock..just a barrel & touch hole? Years ago I made such a thing..Reamed it for a .36 round ball..barrel about 12" long, 5/8" dia. with hand filed octagon to round barrel. 3' 3/8" steel "stock" with antique cast iron ribbed door handle for finale at end. Loaded with around 40gr. FFFG, & patch round ball, accuracy was minute of 50 gal. drum at around 50'! Penetrated said drum though! Always wanted to make one with around 1" bore..but never had the guts..maybe some day!

April 21, 2011, 01:30 AM	#2
Model-P Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2009 Posts: 727	I made one in High School metal shop. I used probably seven inches of 3/4" steel round stock and bored a hole about .22 pellet size as deep as the bit would go. Then I bent the other end down to form a handle and filed a "V" notch in the top where the breach end of the bore was until I just broke through. One homogenous piece of steel, and no other parts at all. I never had the guts to try it, though I don't see any reason now why I should have worried about it. There was plenty of steel around that puny bore.