So it has been raining for most of the last week or so, which means I have had a bit of down time that has been driving me crazy so I set to finishing up the locks for the cannon, making a spare vent tube or two and basically getting Bruce ready to head out quickly for a skirmish or a badger hunt. It wasn't raining today so before I head off to do some manual labor, I took a few pictures of the setup.
The first lock.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0140_zpshpubd7an.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0140_zpshpubd7an.jpg.html)
Finally found some decent springs for the added ooomph it will need to light off a musket cap. Between the mousetrap spring on the top and the under extension spring it will do in a pinch if I for some unfathomable reason break the primary lock.
The kit.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0143_zpsh0mo4yns.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0143_zpsh0mo4yns.jpg.html)
Everything a cannon man/badger hunter needs to fire off a cannon. we've got your back up lock, fuses if both locks break, fire stick to light the fuses,musket caps, the ever handy gimlet (why you're are supposed to drink when firing a cannon I will never know), cannon powder in handy 1oz packets, three different projectiles, and some cleaning/patching paper that are cut out of a roll of environmentally friendly bamboo paper towels.
Homemade caps.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0141_zpsjp5rk4us.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0141_zpsjp5rk4us.jpg.html)
A friend (yes I have a few) made up a tap-a-cap in musket cap size and mixed me up some flash powder that is pretty much the same as the powder in the old rolls of paper caps we used to be able to get. Now it just needs some cigarette paper to cover the powder and I won't have to worry about a shortage of musket caps on the open market.
Spare vent tubes. one that obviously was used and an untouched brass one. I just received a couple of pieces of 3/8" bronze rod and I will make up a couple more.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0145_zpsnokxae78.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0145_zpsnokxae78.jpg.html)
The primary lock made with half a rat trap spring that when you pull the lanyard it kicks out the bottom of the leg and slides off to prevent bending the retention hook when everyone who fires it pulls too danged hard.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0137_zpslkd8sxoh.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0137_zpslkd8sxoh.jpg.html)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0138_zpsneqd8r3c.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0138_zpsneqd8r3c.jpg.html)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0139_zps8hbzaoft.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0139_zps8hbzaoft.jpg.html)
And of course the back up to the back up.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0146_zpsjydsctx1.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0146_zpsjydsctx1.jpg.html)
It is so much more fun to have instant ignition than waiting for a fuse to wend it's way down to the powder.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/New%20Lock/th_DSCN0149_zpsuar7cdad.mp4) (http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/New%20Lock/DSCN0149_zpsuar7cdad.mp4)
Now it is a waiting game until another place to do some long distance target shooting is found, maybe this month.
Took Bruce out on the town to see if he would generate any attention, good or bad. Since I did have a tarp over it and it has been raining a lot, I shouldn't be surprised no one seemed to pay any attention at all. This is a good thing. It means I more than likely will be able to transport it wherever we need to go without any hassles. I just wish I had room and cash to buy a trailer that is just a bit smaller than the 5 X 10 that I have had for many years.
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0151_zpsa1m1mzxn.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0151_zpsa1m1mzxn.jpg.html)
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a603/hotfxr/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0153_zpsuh7ekkhk.jpg) (http://s1286.photobucket.com/user/hotfxr/media/Cannon/Cannon%20Shots/DSCN0153_zpsuh7ekkhk.jpg.html)
thmbsup thmbsup thmbsup thmbsup thmbsup Your ingenuity still has me in awe o great wearer of the fez. That thing looks more awesome with every post.
Just a word of caution. Those thin orange straps tend to tear easily. I used some on my 4-wheeler on a trailer and the wind turbulence cut 2 of them before I got to hunting camp. I tossed the others and only use 2" heavy-duty boat tie-downs now.
I know you would hate to have that beauty embedded in the grill of a semi.