Hughes Black Powder Cannon

Thought I would show off my Hughes reproduction full size Cannon I built a few years back. I also will show a pic of a 1/3 scale of it I just finished a couple months back..

The Hughes was a really obsolete Confederate use only Gun. It is also a Breech Loader. I believe DW Hughes had the first Patent in the US for a Breech Loading Cannon. But it was a Confederate Granted Patent. So it was useless after the War. I have a copy of his original Patent.

There were only around probably 12 of these made originally by the Confederacy. One original survives today. It was found hidden in a Barn in Kansas some years back.

It is rifled as the original appears to have been Original has a 1.5 bore also. My bore is 1.5 inches and rifled also. I shoot a 1 pound 13 ounce Bolt out of it. With 1.9 ounces of 1F Blackpowder. They claim in testing they Fired this up the Tennessee River and achieved a maximum distance of three miles.

I will post a video of it Firing and loading sequence so you understand how it works. I fire it with either a Cannon Lock and Lanyard with large musket cap. Or I can use Friction Primers with Lanyard.

Anyway maybe someone here would like to see them. I have a couple more I built on other Patterns also. The large full size Hughes is my only full size though. Couple still pics of the Full and small scale too. Thanks And have any questions. I am happy to answer them.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Gdwejsr-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../ZW54PL4-1.jpg

Pic the the only original known to survive today that mine was built off of..
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../QlRgY0s-1.jpg

Video Youtube Links maybe:D
Hughes Civil War Confederate Cannon - YouTube
Hughes Civil War Cannon Loading sequence - YouTube
Hughes Confederte Cannon - YouTube
hughes small firing video - YouTube

I almost went halfers with a friend to buy a deck cannon that would fire a 1 Lb lead ball. We withdrew as we felt we'd end up in jail one way or another...those would be neat to play with.

Thanks Jim. I really enjoy them. I like it about as much when people see them when I have them out. Especially kids who always seem to like them. I like that it gives them some interest in History which is all but forgotten by our youth today. Or even taught in Schools correctly anymore.

If I pull into to the Gas Station or a store, I am swarmed by people with questions,lookers and the usual can you build one of those.LOL No is the usual answer in return,LOL Full scale was a 9 month Project, not 8 Hours a day for that period, but I am guessing around 400 to 600 Hours total. Yes I am kinda slow.

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Originally Posted by carbineone1964

Anyway maybe someone here would like to see them.

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I know I would. I threw one together out of an old barrel I had and some Oak stair tread. Nothing to the level of yours, just for fun and out of boredom. I was going for the look of the type found on ships.
I'll break it out now and again, It's become a favorite of the kids at the family 4th of July BBQ. I keep them well away though because I'm a wood guy, I'm clueless when it comes to metal and I'm sure the brazing I did on the barrel ain't good for it. I'm only shooting tinfoil wadding or BBs but still.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WarPig1976

I threw one together out of an old barrel I had and some Oak stair tread.

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I remember that one...

I did not make this barrel on this one. The barrel is cast by someone else and has a steel bore liner. I did build the Naval Carriage though.

One on the left I did not build at all. But it sure is a neat little Cannon. 1 Inch Bore. Called a Vavesseur British Model. It is fully functional including elevation and traverse Mechanisms. It was built for me by Dom Carpenter in PA. He does very good work. At a very fair price for the quality.

Heck post a pic of what you made. It is all good. I just enjoy doing this type of stuff alot.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Wx6pHsK-1.jpg

This is the thread on my cannon.
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=57912

I envy your collection. :)

Thanks Warpig for posting yours. I was away for awhile and never got back to the thread sooner..

They are all good looking pieces of artillery.

how did you deal with sealing the breech up?