3" Ordnance Rifle (Griffin Gun)

[subdjoe]

I'm not sure just where this should go, so I figure General Gun Discussion is a reasonable place to start.

Can anyone point me in a direction to find bolts (projectiles) for a Mod. 1861 3" Ordnance Rifle? I found one source, but LORDY! the price was about $70 each. Or some place to get a mould to cast my own? Or a machinist around Sonoma County who will turn them for me out of Al bar stock without charging fifty bucks a pop.

And, any of you do live fire with muzzle loading cannon? I'd like to get into that next year. Any hints would be much appreciated.

Joe

[eckerph]

www.cannonmania.com might have something or at least could tell you if you drop an email or phone call. I've wanted a small cannon for a long time.

[subdjoe]

Thanks, but I've tried emailing them before - no reply. And they deal with small stuff - half size and smaller.
The gun I'm trying to find affordable projectiles for is a full sized reproduction, down to the inspectors marks, of one captured from the Federals at Gettysburg. 68", 819# tube, fully rifled, etc.

[eckerph]

I thought i saw something to the effect that they make molds. I could be wrong, haven't visited that site for some time.

[Sal]

I was gonna say i'll turn some for pretty cheap, but if you need 3" diameter aluminum stock, it aint gonna be cheap.....

[CSACANNONEER]

Alluminum will be too light. The only 3" bolts that I've used are made of a hard lead alloy and were purchased from Paulson Brothers. The last time I shot these was a couple years ago for one of the first episodes of Mail Call. I have also made my own canister rounds. If you want to talk in detail, PM me NEXT WEEK. This week, I'm really busy getting ready for the Moorpark re-enactment. This is the last day until after its over that I won't be at the site.

[eckerph]

Alluminum will be too light. The only 3" bolts that I've used are made of a hard lead alloy and were purchased from Paulson Brothers. The last time I shot these was a couple years ago for one of the first episodes of Mail Call. I have also made my own canister rounds. If you want to talk in detail, PM me NEXT WEEK. This week, I'm really busy getting ready for the Moorpark re-enactment. This is the last day until after its over that I won't be at the site.

I think i saw that episode! were you guys shooting the life size targets?

[CSACANNONEER]

I think i saw that episode! were you guys shooting the life size targets?

We shot hay bails for Mail Call. On another show, they shot some of my canister rounds at life size targets but, I wasn't there.

[eckerph]

We shot hay bails for Mail Call. On another show, they shot some of my canister rounds at life size targets but, I wasn't there.

Sweet,was Sgt.Heart cool in person? or did he make yo eat a jelly doughnut?lol

[subdjoe]

I thought lead would be way too dense. I know Al would be a little light, but not by that much. Lead would give a bolt about 50% heavier than the original, wouldn't it?

[CSACANNONEER]

I thought lead would be way too dense. I know Al would be a little light, but not by that much. Lead would give a bolt about 50% heavier than the original, wouldn't it?

This weekend, I'll do a little asking around and report my findings monday or tuesday. If I remember right, the bolt we shot from Paulson Bros. were about 18lbs.

[subdjoe]

Thanks. The original bolts for 3" rifles weighed about 9.2 pounds. That 18 lb is almost double the weight.

[CSACANNONEER]

I have a bad memory! I just talked to the person that ordered them and owns the Parrot that we shot them out of. He says they were 9.5lbs of a high antimonium lead with a brass base. I remember that the bases looked just like freeze plugs and were attached to the base by three bolts.

Do you have a 3" yet? If it's an original, you should not live fire it! Even if you want to fire blanks, you should sleeve it. I have two friends with original 1861 Ordnance rifles who have sleeved their guns. Also, I just heard of a full scale, smoothbore (not period correct) Parrot for sale. Do you have a sorce for friction primers yet?

[subdjoe]

I have a bad memory! I just talked to the person that ordered them and owns the Parrot that we shot them out of. He says they were 9.5lbs of a high antimonium lead with a brass base. I remember that the bases looked just like freeze plugs and were attached to the base by three bolts.

Do you have a 3" yet? If it's an original, you should not live fire it! Even if you want to fire blanks, you should sleeve it. I have two friends with original 1861 Ordnance rifles who have sleeved their guns. Also, I just heard of a full scale, smoothbore (not period correct) Parrot for sale. Do you have a sorce for friction primers yet?

That weight sounds more like it. I think the brass sabot is a part from some mining equipment. I've checked around and no one seems to make 3" freeze plugs. If I can find a mould, or get one made, I have no problem casting my own. I've also heard of people using a zinc alloy to make their bolts.

Got one sitting in the garage. Not mine, yet. But the owner 1.) wants to live fire it next year and 2.) may be moving back to NY in which case he wants to make sure it stays with our unit, Norfolk Light Artillery Blues of the NCWA. We still need to work out how I will pay for it if/when he moves.
Flo is a fully rifled gun made by Steen Cannon Works in 2005.

I've bought primers from Boom Boom in Fl, and the Primer Lady (that's what she called herself, I don't remember the proper name right off the bat) in PA. She took my order and sent an invoice rather than wanting payment up front.