Tell us more! Are they modern manufacture or old school?
The guns we use in our battery are modern. They are made to the US Ordinance Dept. specs from original plans right down to the proper stamping on the trunion caps. Same goes for the carriages and limbers from Ben Miller Wagon and Cannon Company. The two 3” are cast iron with a 3/8” 4140 sleeve and the tubes are from Hern Iron Works. The Howitzer was turned from a 4140 4” tube from original ordinance plans. Using a caliper from the knob to the muzzle face there is no difference, except the bore is only 4”. The difference in ours and the “real” Howitzer would be the bore and material. The “real” 12 # Howitzers were 4.62” and made of bronze. Difference in our 3” is that they are not actually rifled, due to the sleeve and then the material. The real 3” back in the day was rifled and was made from the latest metallurgy… wrought iron…lol.
They had troubles with cast iron fracturing and of course bursting and killing the crew and most of the crews on either side, which was frowned upon.
One solution to the busting problem with cast iron was the Parrot rifle. If you’ve ever seen one, they have the big wrought iron band across the breech to reinforce and it gives them their distinctive profile. Other guns had similar profiles, the Confederacy made banded Napoleons, Brook banded Rifles and banded some large smoothbore heavy artillery guns for added strength; the Union had Delafield 3.67" Rifles. Not everything with the band is a Parrot.
Wrought iron was the highest of high tech then. Imagine twisting and laying in those molten rods and hammer welding and then machining and shaping tubes.
If they’d had 4140, I’d bet they’d have used it.
What is the breach rated for?
I dunno, whatever it is for 4140 ?? I know that the Howitzer has handled 2 ½ pounds of powder if that helps. Our normal load is 1 to 1 ½ pounds for the Howitzer and 12 to 14 ounces for the 3”. We also use an equal amount of cornmeal to delay the discharge/burn, sorta simulates the bolt or shot being pushed, and adds to the report and flash. We ain’t ever had a complaint from the spectators, but plenty from other battery’s and assorted cavalry who ventured closer than the safety markers…
What's the longest range you've gotten with it!
The live firing is always “very” controlled, picture in your mind, rock quarry type hills/berms. They have live fire competitions, but we’ve never participated. We don’t have any long distances safely available to let them reach out to their potential. If we’re ever attacked by junk cars/vans or anyone in them, I’ll say I wouldn’t want to be in those tin cans when the three guns go bang.
A little history, the 3-inch rifle normally fired Hotchkiss or Schenkel shells that weighed between 8 and 9 pounds. In an emergency it could use 10-pounder Parrot ammunition. It’s maximum range was around 4200 yards with a one pound charge, case shot and 16 deg. elevation. The 3” was one of the more accurate guns (especially under 2000 yards) and it’s been said a good crew could consistently hit flour barrels and most anything else under a mile.
The Howitzer was designed to fire at higher trajectories to hit targets obscured to guns. Max range was somewhere around 1100 yards or less with a one pound charge pushing 8 to 9 pounds at 5 degrees.
The 3” pounded away at a distance and the Howitzer took over the devil’s work inside 700 yards with grape shot and canister. Imagine charging a canister loaded Howitzer, a big ass shotgun, with your wool kevlar.
Although the 3” was not as effective as a Howitzer or Napoleon using canister (smaller bore), at the Angle at Gettysburg, the federals had nine 3” guns loaded with double canister, and after their smoke cleared an entire company of Confederates had disappeared, completely, no trace.
And have you used "shot" in it?
No comment.
What’s involved in shooting off a piece….
“When in action, the gun would be driven into position, the gun would be removed from the limber by the cannoneers and brought to bear on the target. If need be, the #1 man would use the 'worm' to remove any material from the bore and swab it with a damp sponge rammer. The gunner would decide the range, and tell #6 at the limber, along with the type of round required. Then the gunner would mount the sight, and begin to aim the gun. #6 would prepare the round, using the Firing Table in the Limber Box to choose fuse time (cutting the fuse to length). #7 would carry the round to the #5 man who delivered it to the #2 man standing by the muzzle of the gun. He would position it in the muzzle of the gun for the #1 man to ram down the bore. All this time, the #3 man has covered the vent to keep air from any embers that may be present. When the round is seated, the #3 man would use a pick (the priming wire) to pierce the powder bag. #1 and 2 at the wheels of the gun and #3 at the trail spike would assist the gunner by moving the gun left or right. After the gunner is satisfied with his job, he removes the rear sight and steps back from the gun. The #4 man inserts a primer into the vent, attached to the lanyard, and steps back, #3 helping keeping the lanyard taut. At this time, with the cannoneers safely away from the gun, it is ready to fire. Upon command of the Chief of the piece, #4 pulls the lanyard firing the cannon. #1,2 and 3 move it back into battery (correct position), and the cycle starts again.” (cwartillery.com)
A good crew could get off about two rounds a minute.
Thanks for the interest.
