Let's run through some of those answers...
By Old Fat Sailor on May 15, 2010 1:11 PM
3' ordnance rifle Partial credit if not for what he thinks he's getting credit for.
By Neffi on May 15, 2010 1:27 PM
Howitzer, M1841 Partial credit
By 1idvet on May 15, 2010 1:37 PM
I agree. It's a civil war era howitzer. Maybe a Confederate Brass Howitzer? Nope, but I'll still give partial credit.
By H H on May 15, 2010 1:57 PM
Napoleon three pounder, civil war era. In light of the debris behind and along side the building behind the artillery piece, I would guess it was part of the Castle defense battery. Wrong, but with prescience credit.
I am probably wrong, but it sounds good, which is what many politicians think most important. Full credit for analysis of the state of play in the capital.
By Fred on May 15, 2010 1:58 PM
By the context, it's a lawn ornament. Then again, it could be a lawn armament. Correct, with prescience credit.
By jsallison on May 15, 2010 4:05 PM
Whatever it is, the bore is rusty. Who's the ncoic of that piece? Full credit for a tight grip on the obvious, if irrelevant details. Are you sure you aren't an officer?
By Mythilt on May 15, 2010 4:23 PM
What makes you all think the cannon is the whatziss? The whatziss is obviously the green stuff under that bush..I'd say 3 mil plant barrier. PTWD referral. (Post-Traumatic Whatziss Disorder)
By AFSister on May 15, 2010 5:19 PM
I am sure you don't want the answer "cannon"... but..... CANNON. See jsallison, above.
By Kevin on May 15, 2010 5:54 PM
A long overdue replacement for the Kappa Alpha Fraternity at MU?
"In late April, 2004, it was reported that members of Kappa Alpha Order packed an antique cannon on their front lawn with fireworks in an attempt to simulate a cannon blast. The cannon was actually packed with gun powder only. The fireworks were set off away from the cannon hours before the cannon exploded.
The blast from the gun powder destroyed the cannon and sent an 8-inch (200 mm) portion of the cannon crashing through the roof of an apartment building across the street. The large piece of metal tore through the fifth floor of the apartments before crashing through the ceiling and coming to a rest on a pingpong table a fourth floor lounge. "
As a side note, of possible international consequences...
http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2004/may/20040501news005.asp
"Several Chinese students who were almost struck by the cannon fragment belong to a Communist Party leadership association and are visiting the United States for three months. "
and now, they hold our banknotes...
Off on a tangent.
That is all. -10 for thread hijacking for personal amusement. +10 for being amusing.
By RetRsvMike on May 15, 2010 6:41 PM
looks like a 6 pounder from Gonzales... It does not.
is that the one now owned by Brad Linaweaver? Heinlein's gun? No. That's brass or bronze, and on a naval/fortress carriage.
By John (Not The Armorer) on May 15, 2010 7:16 PM
Just a tool for deer hunting:
http://www.buckstix.com/howitzer.htm See Kevin, above.
By Fishmugger on May 15, 2010 8:41 PM
This is going to hurt my heart...something to signal "Touch Down Navy". Oh, please. Really?
By Argent on May 15, 2010 9:37 PM
It seems very light so focused more on the portability than the bang. -10 for engaging in random analysis without actually answering anything. See jsallison and AFSister, above.
By Navig8r on May 16, 2010 1:47 AM
A 12 Lb mountain howitzer. Looks much like the full size replica one of my history buff acquaintances constructed when we were in college. Very good. Correct in many details.
By BillT on May 16, 2010 5:21 AM
Plantains, some nutsedge, and blue fescue that's in really rough shape.
If that's not the Whatziss, then you must mean the 12" Thermopane inserts in the house. Or the polypropylene siding. Ignore him, he's old, and wanders around here drawing on teh walls. But we will bestow upon him the JTG Award for Autieness in Obsession With Irrelevant Details.
By Boquisucio on May 16, 2010 8:43 AM
I was gonna say: that's the ugliest forthysia I've seen. Heh.
_______________________________________________________
In truth, Navig8r probably had the most accurate answer. It is, indeed, a one-off, custom-built, in-the-spirit-of black powder cannon inspired by the M1841 12 pounder mountain howitzer.
OFS will be tickled to note that the tube is made from a 3"/50 naval gun,which is why it is rifled. The nice thing about that is I could pack that thing *full* of black powder and not have a chance of the tube rupturing. The cascabel is also threaded for easy removal for cleaning purposes. It's has a powder coated steel carriage with wooden wheels, and is light enough that one person can maneuver it on flat ground. And it is on a trailer, headed to Castle Argghhh! to take up residence between the flagpoles. And maybe now and again down in the lower pasture where it might fire cement-filled cans at the rock wall. Maybe. It might. It will certainly make a noisy Evening Gun, or, as Fred said, Lawn Armament.
jsallison and I respectfully submit: BITE ME.
;-)
Harrrumph.
There's no such thing as irrelevant analysis. It's also best delivered just as someone works up to make a point.