Historic Confederate Mountain Howitzer Rescued Carriage Restoration

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Asst. Regtl. Quartermaster Antietam 2021
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May 7, 2016
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Alabama
Ive been fortunate enough to come across this piece of Alabama Iron Works History. This Confederate Mountain Howitzer was one of 3 that were cast in 1976 during the Bi-Centennial when the furnace at Tannehill Iron Works was rebuilt. http://www.tannehill.org/ Rescued from an true Old Reb here in Alabama. He told me when he had it up and firing he could shoot a beer can 1/4 mile across Lake Guntersville. Anyway a pictures worth a 1000 words got it Friday and just got thru getting it broken down. Going to be a chore. Do have original plans. 1st photo in his backyard from there I got it home.

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Got the plans and having a raw piece of oak cut at the mill so I can start whittling on it. I was told it would be easy just cut away everything that doesn't look like a carriage.
 

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Got the plans and having a raw piece of oak cut at the mill so I can start whittling on it. I was told it would be easy just cut away everything that doesn't look like a carriage.

just make sure that you age the oak first before you go whittling on it. Set it it in a cool dry place like in a shad or barn with sticks between the pieces for good air flow so the wood will drie and age in uniform.
 
7th Texas, I found an old piece of white oak in far back corner of a hardwood mill and they have cut me a solid piece 7 feet by 12 x8. I'm going to make it from 1 piece as the plans call for. At first I though I would go old school and do it all by hand, but that was just a fleeting thought. I will work fine as I'm going to do the hot linseed oil route.
 
7th Texas, I found an old piece of white oak in far back corner of a hardwood mill and they have cut me a solid piece 7 feet by 12 x8. I'm going to make it from 1 piece as the plans call for. At first I though I would go old school and do it all by hand, but that was just a fleeting thought. I will work fine as I'm going to do the hot linseed oil route.

I would like to see a process report of the work if possible in the way of pictures. Like many of the members of this form we live so far away from battlefields and other areas of the Civil War. Thank you for sharing this exciting post.
 
Got the oak yesterday and I told him 7 feet by 12 x 8 and I got 10 feet 12x8 I had a hard time getting it out of the truck and up on the horses. Now the fun begins.
 
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