Brass Cannon Gun powder

looking at the pictures are we to assume it has a steel sleeve in the brass body? to be totally steel it would be cast the body does not look machined and if it was steel painted the green tarnish typically seen on old brass would not develop on paint.

Im thinking a cast brass cannon intended for display
 
laurencen said:
looking at the pictures are we to assume it has a steel sleeve in the brass body? to be totally steel it would be cast the body does not look machined and if it was steel painted the green tarnish typically seen on old brass would not develop on paint.

Im thinking a cast brass cannon intended for display
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It is solid brass and not intended for firing although someone who had it before me must have!!
 
David Gooding said:
It is solid brass and not intended for firing although someone who had it before me must have!!
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having built cannons for 30 years from 1/2 inch to 2 inch I have seen these display brass cannons over the years, I have turned a few of them into signal cannons by making a steel liner, I take a piece of heavy wall tube, cut it to length and using the press squash it out of round, place the tube in the lathe and turn the outside finishing off fitting it into the brass body, the reason for squashing the tube the bore is not round and no projectile will seal, it can only be used for a noise cannon.
 
David Gooding said:
thank you for the last two posts, I have now made safe the cannon.

I used gun oil to seep past the ball and waited till is oozed out the touch hole making any powder inert for I to clear any blockage, i used my compressor to 250psi and forced the ball out, I lightly taped the ball further into the bore so it had a chance to move it was easy once it was oiled,

Not one but three balls flew out the muzzle for 10 yards down range

I removed the gun oil using brake cleaner, remnants of oily powder was flushed out, the powder has the smell of fireworks to it

so in the past someone was inclined to fire it which I understand the the joy of, It is of a steel construction and painted to look like brass
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you state steel construction and painted, no paint ages green like brass, how did you determine it was steel
 
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laurencen said:
you state steel construction and painted, no paint ages green kike brass, hoe did you determine it was steel
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I used a file to remove some under the cannon as per instruction i just skimmed the surface, I assumed it was steel filings that came off, after posting it was made of steel i used a magnet to confirm iron content, its brass, my bad for not being better clued up on what its hade off
 
laurencen said:
having built cannons for 30 years from 1/2 inch to 2 inch I have seen these display brass cannons over the years, I have turned a few of them into signal cannons by making a steel liner, I take a piece of heavy wall tube, cut it to length and using the press squash it out of round, place the tube in the lathe and turn the outside finishing off fitting it into the brass body, the reason for squashing the tube the bore is not round and no projectile will seal, it can only be used for a noise cannon.
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A previous owner had it ready to fire, what would gunpowder from fireworks have done to it if it was lit? I can still fire a lead ball by forcing compressed air behind it as that is how I cleared it I think I will keep it as it is for now
 
David Gooding said:
I used a file to remove some under the cannon as per instruction i just skimmed the surface, I assumed it was steel filings that came off, after posting it was made of steel i used a magnet to confirm iron content, its brass, my bad for not being better clued up on what its hade off
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if the filings were brass coloured then it probably is brass but if they were white and non magnetic, it could be pot metal

cheers mooncoon
 
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