Cannon Identification

[Neil B]

Hello I'm a new member with an interest in Civil War weapons and armament. Additionally, I'm trying to research the war histories of the veterans buried at the Shawnee Cemetery in northeastern Pennsylvania.
There are several cannon installed there as decorations. I've attached photos, not very detailed, and I'm hoping that you might be able to identify them. Thanks in advance.
Neil

 

[Ole Miss]

@redbob would be one to assist you in your request and should be along soon
Regards
David

 

[Seduzal]

Welcome to CWT from the Smoky Mountain side of North Carolina. Just jump right in and enjoy. To get a better overview of these form s you can look here: https://civilwartalk.com/forums/

paging @redbob @ucvrelics

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. Be sure to stop by the Small Arms & Ammo, Relics & Collecting and Vicksburg forums.

 

[John Winn]

Those look to be just decoration - i.e. they're not real artillery pieces. The paint job is also rather garish and not close to how any piece would have looked in any war.

 

[redbob]

Those look to be just decoration - i.e. they're not real artillery pieces. The paint job is also rather garish and not close to how any piece would have looked in any war.

I agree that they just don't look right, especially around the muzzle of the one and the trunnions of the other.

 

[Rhea Cole]

We are dealing with some very odd lens distortion. The tray for powder at the vent indicates a circa pre 1860 piece. It would be useful to know the dimensions of the bore & length of the piece. The center piece would appear to be a howitzer or a carronade, in the absence of data.

 

[cannonmn]

Three different pieces, all authentic IMO. With no markings nor dimensions posted the fat one, 2nd pic, very distinctive shape and features, is the one I'll ask my Brit friends about. Maybe they'll respond here direct, I'll give the link.

 

[Package4]

We are dealing with some very odd lens distortion. The tray for powder at the vent indicates a circa pre 1860 piece. It would be useful to know the dimensions of the bore & length of the piece. It would appear to be a howitzer, in the absence of data.

It would appear that these are photos of three different pieces.....

 

[Larryh86GT]

Welcome.

 

[cannonmn]

Again, these are real antique cast iron cannons. They are the type that were carried by merchant sailing ships. Cannon people call them insurance guns because Lloyd's of London required policy holders to carry such cannons.

 

[Neil B]

I agree that they just don't look right, especially around the muzzle of the one and the trunnions of the oto

Again, these are real antique cast iron cannons. They are the type that were carried by merchant sailing ships. Cannon people call them insurance guns because Lloyd's of London required policy holders to carry such cannons.

Better view of the "stubby" cannon which you believe to be a carronade. Please note the fleur de lis my and the lack of a touch hole.

 

[scooter748driver]

I'm late, but welcome from the Fort Sumter and the Fredericksburg forums

 

[Neil B]

I'm late, but welcome from the Fort Sumter and the Fredericksburg forums

Thanks. Trying to get some cannon identification.

 

[Package4]

Better view of the "stubby" cannon which you believe to be a carronade. Please note the fleur de lis my and the lack of a touch hole.
View attachment 455900

If this is an iron barrel, which it appears to be, the touch hole may be filled, to help alleviate corrosion.

 

[Neil B]

If this is an iron barrel, which it appears to be, the touch hole may be filled, to help alleviate corrosion.

Yes, it is iron and touch hole may have been filled. Still trying to determine the type and origin of the cannon. The fleur de lis design makes me wonder if it is of French origin and how it got into the civil war.

 

[Neil B]

We are dealing with some very odd lens distortion. The tray for powder at the vent indicates a circa pre 1860 piece. It would be useful to know the dimensions of the bore & length of the piece. The center piece would appear to be a howitzer or a carronade, in the absence of data.

I'm concentrating on the "stubby" cannon which may be a carronade. I'm a novice so forgive me but can you explain the use if a tray for the powder and how the cannon would have been detonated. Thanks

 

[Rhea Cole]

I'm concentrating on the "stubby" cannon which may be a carronade. I'm a novice so forgive me but can you explain the use if a tray for the powder and how the cannon would have been detonated. Thanks

Fine powder would have been poured into the tray & ignited by slow match.

A quill primer was made of with an actual quill or a paper tube. It was inserted into the touch hole leaving a bit standing proud. Slow match would ignite it.

 

[Story]

Trying to get some cannon identification.

Since those guns are around the Civil War Memorial, there's a good chance they'll be mentioned in the local newspaper - probably when that memorial was dedicated.

Who holds the newspaper morgue in Plymouth? Local historical society or library?