Identification Help?

Midwestfan · October 12, 2012, 07:00 PM

Just got ahold of this beauty from an older lady at work who did not want the heavy thing around. She said her husband had gotten it at an estate sale and supposedly the backstory is that it was a signal gun from some ship in Lake Superior. He had attached the wheels off of an old farm implement. Can anybody ID this? Ive fired some muzzleloaders before, but this is my first cannon. A local guy who does rendezvous events said to fire it with about 200 grains, but I think I would back that off a bit.

Length is 15.5inches

Anybody out there with expertise?

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Midwestfan · October 12, 2012, 07:05 PM

Also forgot to add...

No makers marks. It appears the cannon and the frame are probably original, but it looks like they might have been pulled off of a larger mount that might have had markings.

robhof · October 12, 2012, 07:14 PM

Be very careful firing that thing, many were made as ornaments only and are grenades when packed with powder. What is the bore size? 3/4" or larger require 1F black or larger; called corn flake powder as it looks like black cornflakes, the larger powder produces less pressure and also at night it produces a grand sparkling effect out of the barrel. There are many stories of old cast iron and bronze cannons blowing up, resulting in death and severe injuries.

Hawg · October 12, 2012, 07:26 PM

It probably is a signal cannon. I don't think I'd live fire it.

**4V50 Gary** · October 12, 2012, 07:41 PM

Dig out a reprint of the Sears Roebuck catalog. I wouldn't be surprised if you found it listed there.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · October 12, 2012, 11:00 PM

May have been used on lake Gichigami. Without knowing for sure if it indeed was fired. I myself wouldn't chance firing it. "Nice to look at though." By the way welcome to the form Midwestfan._

Midwestfan · October 13, 2012, 12:46 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, I know this is a safety first activity. I do know that this thing has been fired likely a hundred times plus by the former owner.

I have some fairly good resources for manual-of-arms types of issues with this, Im posting more for help with identifying age and manufacture. Possibly would like to track down original fittings.

October 12, 2012, 07:00 PM	#1
Midwestfan Junior Member Join Date: October 12, 2012 Posts: 3	Identification Help? Just got ahold of this beauty from an older lady at work who did not want the heavy thing around. She said her husband had gotten it at an estate sale and supposedly the backstory is that it was a signal gun from some ship in Lake Superior. He had attached the wheels off of an old farm implement. Can anybody ID this? Ive fired some muzzleloaders before, but this is my first cannon. A local guy who does rendezvous events said to fire it with about 200 grains, but I think I would back that off a bit. Length is 15.5inches Anybody out there with expertise? imagejpeg_2_5.jpg imagejpeg_2_6.jpg

October 12, 2012, 07:14 PM	#3
robhof Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 712	robhof Be very careful firing that thing, many were made as ornaments only and are grenades when packed with powder. What is the bore size? 3/4" or larger require 1F black or larger; called corn flake powder as it looks like black cornflakes, the larger powder produces less pressure and also at night it produces a grand sparkling effect out of the barrel. There are many stories of old cast iron and bronze cannons blowing up, resulting in death and severe injuries.

October 12, 2012, 07:41 PM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Dig out a reprint of the Sears Roebuck catalog. I wouldn't be surprised if you found it listed there. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 12, 2012, 07:05 PM	#2
Midwestfan Junior Member Join Date: October 12, 2012 Posts: 3	Also forgot to add... No makers marks. It appears the cannon and the frame are probably original, but it looks like they might have been pulled off of a larger mount that might have had markings.

October 12, 2012, 07:26 PM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	It probably is a signal cannon. I don't think I'd live fire it.

October 12, 2012, 11:00 PM	#6
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	May have been used on lake Gichigami. Without knowing for sure if it indeed was fired. I myself wouldn't chance firing it. "Nice to look at though." By the way welcome to the form Midwestfan._

October 13, 2012, 12:46 AM	#7
Midwestfan Junior Member Join Date: October 12, 2012 Posts: 3	Thanks for the advice guys, I know this is a safety first activity. I do know that this thing has been fired likely a hundred times plus by the former owner. I have some fairly good resources for manual-of-arms types of issues with this, Im posting more for help with identifying age and manufacture. Possibly would like to track down original fittings.