Another Cannon

[Specster]

I can't make out much writing. I think it says 47th RI. if this a
had rust ed should be taken off or should it be painted over

 

[Specster]

another view

 

[redbob]

It looks like a 3" Ordinance Rifle that has been converted to a breech loading signal gun.

 

[AndyHall]

That may read "No. 476 PICo," for Phoenix Iron Company. See:

http://markerhunter.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/later-3-inch-ord-rifles/

Between layers of paint and rust, it's hard to tell.

 

[John Winn]

I think Andy is right. And as a side note, I don't remember ever having seen a gun with a unit designation; only dates and places of manufacture. Interesting piece.

 

[Specster]

Yes I think it is 476 and PIC is very plausable. I was trying to find some info on making such writing ledgible. Aside from photography and playing with light, I read you can use very thin tin foil and a make up brush; paper rubbed with charcoal or crayon; and putting flour, talc or caulk on the writing. Has any tried these???

Also, how would a person protect such a cannon from further weathering damage. There is a little rust, non localized. Should the rust be removed or should it be sealed for someone to worry about 100 years or more down the road???

I have restored rusted edged weapons without losing the etchings by using high grit wettable sand paper (1500-2500 grit). I know it can be done but, in the long run, should it be gently removed or sealed. I know this is subjective but that is why I go to this forum.

 

[johan_steele]

It looks like a 3" Ordinance Rifle that has been converted to a breech loading signal gun.

It is, there were two or three methods used to do such. As a note the first "French 75" barrels were those of ACW era manufacture 3" Ord Rifles.

 

[Specster]

I went back and tried to get a clean copy of the inscription....it was later in the day, I did not have much luck with photos. Tried the tin foil method but the brand i was using was too thick (need 2 use cheap stuff), tried talc and that picked up the print for a momemt. The paper and pencip did nothing.

Still looking for opinions on preserving such an item while outdoors. I see that it is best to use a variety of electrolysis. If the town didnt have the money for something like that right off the bat, would it be best to hand clean existing rust or seal it.

 

[mikekj]

Is there a date on the trunnion?

 

[unicornforge]

I recommend gently removing the paint, then using electrolysis to convert rust back into iron, then protecting with appropriate industrial paint such as used by the Park Service to protect cannons. If I remember correctly, they have been using electrolysis on parts of the Monitor that have been recovered.

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/andyspatch/rust.htm

Dave E.

 

[Specster]

I recommend gently removing the paint, then using electrolysis to convert rust back into iron, then protecting with appropriate industrial paint such as used by the Park Service to protect cannons. If I remember correctly, they have been using electrolysis on parts of the Monitor that have been recovered.

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/andyspatch/rust.htm

Dave E.

Isnt that pretty much what they are doing with the Hunley?

 

[redbob]

Isnt that pretty much what they are doing with the Hunley?

At one time, in a tank behind the Hunley were cannon and other artifacts from the CSS Alabama.

 

[unicornforge]

Isnt that pretty much what they are doing with the Hunley?

I suspect that electrolysis is the standard for helping to recover, restore, and stabilize, severely rusted artifacts, found both in the sea, and underground on land.

 

[Specster]

I agree, if you have the means, I do not. I am trying to preserve a peiece of history on a low budget. The town I am in, when , I moved in, was a small, tight community. There is a "school House" literally 1 Room (closed for decades, sitting and in decay) . Out of that room came 7 combatants in the Revolutionary war, one, at minimum, being a general. There are significant sites..battle, homes, training, and graveyards, that are beginning 2 fall apart. We had a perfectly good school, but it was knocked down to build a better school. We are small, there is no need for a $30 million school - if u want that send your kid to a private school then do it on your own dime. We have many, many familys who have shed their blood over the better part of 300 years and now yuppies move in, apparently they have found paradise, and they manipulate the system so all of us have to pay for their kids education, to the detriment of all else.

When it comes to preserving the memorials to the brave men and women who shed their blood they want to nickle and dime us. It is obscene. There are families here whos names you hear time and again over the course of 300 years plus.

To me it is very disturbing. I want to do what I can to make sure these brave people are not forgotten.

 

[unicornforge]

I agree, if you have the means, I do not. I am trying to preserve a piece of history on a low budget. ......

Without detailed information on your means etc.

Option a: Disassemble , remove paint, place in Rubber Maid farm trough, attach electrodes, to battery or battery charger, fill with water. Primer and Industrial paint
Option b: Use lots of Paint Remover, scape softened paint off, prime and paint
Option c: Find someone who will clean and paint it, who will also foot the bill, perhaps a local historical group or other civic minded group or person.

 

[Specster]

Thank u for your consideration. I know industrial products are typically superior to retail but there is a line of products from the company "Flitz" many people rave about their products. I have 2 brass fire exstinguishers the 1st 1 I cleaned by hand with everything under the sun and got it looking decent. People had recommended Flitz copper & brass cleaner. I got it, had 2 order it, no one had it, and it worked great. Was thinking of asking them to do a promo on the 3 remaining brass cannons.

I have not yet considered those avenues.....

Tx

Spec

 

[Specster]

Is there a date on the trunnion?

If there is I havent found it but then again, if u could point me in the right direction, it would help. All the marking are weak.

Next time I go up I will write it down. one trunnion had some mark on it. I think the other was blank.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Perhaps, with some research and detective work, you can find a 501 (c) 3 historical preservation group that would donate some funds for the preservation work you would like to see done.
J.

 

[unicornforge]

.... I know industrial products are typically superior to retail but there is a line of products from the company "Flitz" many people rave about their products. ......
Spec

The last that I talked to the counter guy at the Gettysburg Sherwin Williams, the Park Service used/uses industrial oil paint from Sherwin Williams. He provided me with a can of Liquid Olive that they use on WBTS cannon carriages on the battle field, that was mixed using the Park Service paint mixing formula that was stored on the Sherwin Williams computer system. A single gallon more than covered my eleven foot long reproduction CW wheeled Traveling Forge, and cost about the same as the upper end paints at Lowes.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

What year was it cast?.....It should also say on the muzzle.....My reenacting unit fires an original 1862 3" Ordnance from Phoenix Iron Works....
Here's a pic of it: http://cptscott.angelfire.com/cannon.htm