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"Ultimate Big Bore" My Cannon shoots an 84,000g projectile

Hello All,

Here is my Ultimate Big Bore ! ! (well, several of them) The largest one shoots a 12 pound projectile using 1/2 pound of black powder.

I look forward to doing this each and every year ..............

This is the 14th year that I've been holding demonstrations at the 4th of July, Sawdust Days Festival in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This is the 48th year that this event has been held. It celebrates the early 1700's Frontiersmen, Settlers, and Indians that gathered at this location to celebrate the success of their past harvest of Furs, Game, Food, and Goods. All these to be traded among those gathered.

To this event, I bring my REALLY BIG BORE(S). They are brought to the waters edge of Lake Winnebago, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at a place known as "Cannon Point". (for obvious reasons)

In addition, I have a display of several Cannon Balls of various sizes and many examples of original Civil War Artillery accessories.

As was done in the "days-of-old" I fire a 12 pound Mortar every-hour-on-the-hour to keep track of time. The other cannon are fired by donation for the cost of the powder. Those donating for the powder actually get to shoot the cannon of their choice, and they receive a parchment certificate acknowledging that they fired an original vintage cannon. Participants choosing to fire the Mountain Howitzer (as most do) are run through the standard loading drill according to the Civil War Artillery Field Manual. Although this loading procedure was done by a crew of 5 men, I direct the participant to rotate through each of the various positions, and they perform each man's task individually - worming the bore, loading the charge, raming the charge, pricking the charge, priming the charge, and firing the cannon.

For your interest, are links to my web-pages, showing my cannons, and mortar. Also shown are several links to "you tube" video's, showing the firing of cannon and line gun. They are at the bottom of the page following the pictures.

Here's the list of my Cannon that I bring to the event each year.

Original 1863 Ames Co. 12 pound Mountain Howitzer.
Original 1840 1 pound British Insurance cannon.
Original 1945 Naval Co. FB - Lyle Gun - (line throwing cannon)
Original 2005 12 pound Brass Coehorn Mortar
Original 1898 Manotowoc Foundry Signal Cannon (swivel gun mount)

As always, your comments are welcome.

CANNON POINT

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FIRST YEAR - 2005 - FRONT PAGE NEWSPAPER COVERAGE

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LAST YEAR - 2017 - FRONT PAGE NEWSPAPER COVERAGE

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FIVE CANNON ON CANNON POINT

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CIVIL WAR ARTILLERY DISPLAY

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THE DONATION CLOCK
every time $$ money is donated, the pointer moves.
when it reaches $12 - the last donator gets to fire
the cannon. (Mt Howitzer uses 1/2 pound of FFFFg
powder which costs $24 per pound - hence the $12)

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THE ORIGINAL AMES CO. 12 POUND MOUNTAIN HOWITZER

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THE ORIGINAL 1840 1 POUND BRITISH INSURANCE CANNON
called an insurance cannon because, if you wanted
to insure your ship's cargo, the insurance company
required you to have a cannon on board to defend
your cargo against pirates. No Cannon-No Insurance

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LOADING THE INSURANCE CANNON

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THE ORIGINAL 1945 LINE THROWING CANNON AND THE 12 POUND COEHORN MORTAR

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LINE THROWING CANNON READY TO FIRE
This model is often called a "Waffle Gun", because the
barrel construction looks like a "Waffle". The barrel is
Bronze. The ribbed pattern reduced material by over 40%
but still retains the strength of a sold barrel. Brass, Bronze,
and Copper were in short supply during WWII. This Cannon
is capable of shooting a light line out to over 600 yards.