Cannons

[Pennsylvania]

Hello, I've been wondering where reenactors get their cannons. I have asked some reenactors but they didn't really say we're they got them. I was also wondering what the average cost of a cannon would be without the limber and caisson?

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

@Pennsylvania Civil War Artillery reenacting can get very expensive if you start including carriage, caisson, horse team and so forth. Do a google search and you will find companies who make reproduction cannon and accessories. Artillery batteries have to trailer everything to and from re-enactments which in itself can get costly.

Some batteries use original Civil War cannons barrels.

Artillery competition shoots such as these those put on by N-SSA can be costly.

@Albert Sailhorst would be the perfect forum member to answer your questions since he belongs to a Civil War Artillery Battery.

 

[iron bender]

Off the top of my head, for pricing if you want a true field gun, check pricing with Trail Rock Ordnance, Paulson Brothers, and South Bend Replicas. My dad and uncle had three Parrott rifles and one Ordnance rifle from combos of the above. I'm positive there are new builders, just not in the know anymore. One of the guns had a very expensive carriage made by Cotton Hill Ordnance? Can't remember who made it. That was 30 years ago. Anyhow, I think if you want a 2.9 or 3" rifle and carriage, it's gonna be in the 20k +/- range these days. Get bigger (20 pound) or 'bronze', it's gonna be big bucks. Good luck and do it if you can make it happen.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

@Pennsylvania Civil War Artillery reenacting can get very expensive if you start including carriage, caisson, horse team and so forth. Do a google search and you will find companies who make reproduction cannon and accessories. Artillery batteries have to trailer everything to and from re-enactments which in itself can get costly.

Some batteries use original Civil War cannons barrels.

Artillery competition shoots such as these those put on by N-SSA can be costly.

@Albert Sailhorst would be the perfect forum member to answer your questions since he belongs to a Civil War Artillery Battery.

A mountain howitzer could be a good start … lighter and more portable. Get your feet wet so to speak. You still need a truck and trailer to haul her around.

Large reenactments are a great place to watch and get different opinions. There is also a cannon forum here.

My old battery had both a howitzer and reproduction tube. We did not do caissons back in the day but some units did.

It can be a big headache and you would have to quality and get certified as a gunner.

Black powder artillery can be magic but can also be voodoo.

Best regards,
OTC
Spotsy CH

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

You could also contact the Liberty Rifles. They can provide you with information on Civil War reenacting includin artillery.

2023 — The Liberty Rifles

www.libertyrifles.org

The Park
October 2023 Sharpsburg, Maryland

 

[Pennsylvania]

Thank you guys this is very much appreciated. I have always been fascinated by civil war artillery.

I would one day love to have one probably a smaller one like a mountain howitzer just for target shooting.

 

[DixieRifles]

Hello, I've been wondering where reenactors get their cannons. I have asked some reenactors but they didn't really say we're they got them. I

Years ago I was in the audience of a Cannon Competition in Mississippi. There was a group of guys from Ohio or in that area who competed with a cannon they found in a cemetery. The cemetery was using the barrel to decorate the entrance or something. They bought it and drilled out the bore and inserted a steel sleeve. It was a 10-lb Parrot and it could shoot "live rounds" and hit a target.

 

[drezac]

a few years ago I priced out a 6-pdr from Trail Rock Ordnance. For a bronze coated steel cannon, carriage, limber, limber box, and all the associated equipment needed to fire it came up to around $25,000 ( not including a trailer).

With Steen Cannon out of business, there are not too many options.

 

[UCVRelics]

Hello, I've been wondering where reenactors get their cannons. I have asked some reenactors but they didn't really say we're they got them. I was also wondering what the average cost of a cannon would be without the limber and caisson?

Hern Iron Works makes some very nice tubes. I have purchased 4 of their howitzer tubes to build complete units.

Log In ‹ Hern Iron Works — WordPress

hernironworks.com

Also, I have a model 1841 field gun I'm going to part with SOON.

 

[Pennsylvania]

Hern Iron Works makes some very nice tubes. I have purchased 4 of their howitzer tubes to build complete units.

Log In ‹ Hern Iron Works — WordPress

hernironworks.com

Also, I have a model 1841 field gun I'm going to part with SOON.
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That's a nice cannon. have you ever tried live firing it?
What is the going rate for a cannon like that?

 

[LCYingling3rd]

You have already received excellent feedback! I will only add that you might want to check out the Cooper's Battery B artillery reenactment group. They are a great bunch of folks and are based in north-central PA.

Cooper Battery B

coopersbatteryb.com

I think they may be based in Shamokin but have members from all over north-central PA. One of their members was my son's HS teacher and my son and I got to participate with them at the Cedar Creek event back in 2006. We were in a six gun battery firing 10lb Parrott cannon. WOW...what an amazing experience!

When I was at Cedar Creek this year I ran into a former co-worker from this area and his son. They were with a different battery? I will try to figure that one out too.

Enjoy!

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Iron Bender has the same advice I would have given. All of his suggestions are great!
Thanks!

 

[Pennsylvania]

Thanks guys for the advice I appreciate it

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Thank you guys this is very much appreciated. I have always been fascinated by civil war artillery.

I would one day love to have one probably a smaller one like a mountain howitzer just for target shooting.

Live fire and especially night firing … That can be fun…we did ours in WVA and once we got the hang of it … you can get into a rhythm even if you don't hit the target.
I like the flexibility you can get with a howitzer. We moved ours around a lot on the second day of the 150 First Manassas. Four on the tube and two to carry the box and we went all over. We played it stationary at the 150 New Market.

 

[UCVRelics]

That's a nice cannon. have you ever tried live firing it?
What is the going rate for a cannon like that?

I have fired it over 100 times.