Money, that is.
I'm starting to consider either getting back into a subgun, or possibly a cannon. Repro Civil War field piece. Not sure if I will, mind, but I'm thinking about it.
The advantage of a subgun is that I can carry it easily. The disadvantage is the paperwork. A cannon is no paperwork...but I'm not trading my BMW convertible for a pickup to tow the thing. At least I know where I could shoot the cannon.
Starting to think about going big...
- D5CAV
- Posts: 2428
- Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:48 am
Re: Starting to think about going big...
I vote for cannon, but they still need paperwork for DD (Form 4)
http://www.gunsamerica.com/976970024/Ru ... Subcal.htm
You missed your opportunity last year. A big collection went on the market. A number of DDs went for a lot less than I expected. I know some registered DDs ended up getting cut because the buyer didn't want to go through Form 4, and just wanted the vehicle. I know, it was a crime, but it's the law.
http://www.auctionsamerica.com/events/a ... 70c15412c2
http://www.gunsamerica.com/976970024/Ru ... Subcal.htm
You missed your opportunity last year. A big collection went on the market. A number of DDs went for a lot less than I expected. I know some registered DDs ended up getting cut because the buyer didn't want to go through Form 4, and just wanted the vehicle. I know, it was a crime, but it's the law.
http://www.auctionsamerica.com/events/a ... 70c15412c2
“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- Jered
- Posts: 7859
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:30 am
Re: Starting to think about going big...
If it's a civil war cannon, it wouldn't need any paperwork, would it?
The avalanche has already started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote.
- Mike OTDP
- Posts: 2418
- Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:42 pm
Re: Starting to think about going big...
None at all.Jered wrote:If it's a civil war cannon, it wouldn't need any paperwork, would it?

- Rod
- Posts: 4824
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:08 pm
Re: Starting to think about going big...
Heck, I know a guy in Bisbee who has an 1847 mountain howitzer. Don't know if it's for sale or not but he's not doing well healthwise. Built the carriage himself.Mike OTDP wrote:None at all.Jered wrote:If it's a civil war cannon, it wouldn't need any paperwork, would it?
one can be a Democrat, or one can choose to be an American.
Good acting requires an imagination; reality requires a person not getting lost in their imagination.
"It's better to have a gun if you need it". Felix's opthamologist
Good acting requires an imagination; reality requires a person not getting lost in their imagination.
"It's better to have a gun if you need it". Felix's opthamologist
- Windy Wilson
- Posts: 4875
- Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:32 am
Re: Starting to think about going big...
At least until you start buying case-lot size quantities of black powder and the BATF wonders what you're up to.Mike OTDP wrote:None at all.Jered wrote:If it's a civil war cannon, it wouldn't need any paperwork, would it?
The use of the word "but" usually indicates that everything preceding it in a sentence is a lie.
E.g.:
"I believe in Freedom of Speech, but". . .
"I support the Second Amendment, but". . .
--Randy
E.g.:
"I believe in Freedom of Speech, but". . .
"I support the Second Amendment, but". . .
--Randy
- McClarkus
- Posts: 802
- Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 10:50 pm
Re: Starting to think about going big...
Cannon = fun. We have a 36" Napoleon reproduction black powder with a 2.25" smoothbore. Shooting 5 gallon cans of water is a blast. The real crowd pleaser is always the mortar though. Yell "fire in the hole" and you have everybody's attention, right now. It throws a 4" can of concrete almost so far I can see it any more. 17 seconds is how long it takes to go up and then come down. We usually let a wide variety of minions light the fuse and then run like crazy. Their stories only grow with time. My avatar is the 4" mortar - homemade. It takes a charge of 500 grains 1f or 2f. The cannon takes 1000 grains of 1f. You can actually get quite a few shots out of a can and concrete is way cheaper to shoot than 2lb lead balls. No paper work is needed for any of them that I am aware of.
One secret to life. Step #1 - Find something you enjoy doing. Step #2 - Find someone foolish enough to pay you to do it.
- Windy Wilson
- Posts: 4875
- Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:32 am
Re: Starting to think about going big...
That sounds cool. I gotta get out to see a reenactment including a cannon or mortar. Of course, when I talked to the Black Watch they were so enthusiastic about my interest I was afraid to drink anything at their booth for fear I'd wake up 3 days out of Portsmouth with a splitting headache and no idea why I was on a ship bound for India.
I worked with a fellow who was part of a Civil War reenactment group in Southern California in the 80's (that I knew about) and presumably later, too. I heard second hand that the BATF or the FBI questioned him once about what he was doing with all the black powder.

I worked with a fellow who was part of a Civil War reenactment group in Southern California in the 80's (that I knew about) and presumably later, too. I heard second hand that the BATF or the FBI questioned him once about what he was doing with all the black powder.
The use of the word "but" usually indicates that everything preceding it in a sentence is a lie.
E.g.:
"I believe in Freedom of Speech, but". . .
"I support the Second Amendment, but". . .
--Randy
E.g.:
"I believe in Freedom of Speech, but". . .
"I support the Second Amendment, but". . .
--Randy
- blackeagle603
- Posts: 9783
- Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:13 am
Re: Starting to think about going big...
CA you're limited to 1 lb of black powder in your possession now.
"The Guncounter: More fun than a barrel of tattooed knife-fighting chain-smoking monkey butlers with drinking problems and excessive gambling debts!"
"The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic;" Justice Story
"The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic;" Justice Story
- slowpoke
- Posts: 1231
- Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:09 pm
Re: Starting to think about going big...
thats a dangerous law. why would they want people to store the ingredients unmixed and make thier own rather than buying commercial wich is safer than making your own?blackeagle603 wrote:CA you're limited to 1 lb of black powder in your possession now.
"Islam delenda est" Aesop