If you ever get a chance, go to the N-SSA Nationals at Fort Shenandoah in Northern Virginia. Go for the Cannon and Mortar shooting. There is just something about seeing 50-70 Mortars on line, lobbing ball down range. By far the most popular mortar seen in the Confederate Pattern 24 PDR. The reason, it is the simplest and easiest design to duplicate.
Several year back I acquired a piece of steel to build a pop can mortar from. When I went to Fort Shenandoah I wanted a 24 PDR. I looked at the piece of steel I had an decided the best I could do was a 6 PDR. I had the steel bored out to 3.67 inches and a mould made to cast 3.58 inch zinc round ball. The mould is currently lodge with Rotometals.
I picked up the plans for the Confederate Pattern from the West Bros. in Virginia. I scaled them done for my 6 PDR. Here is their barrel plan.
The were some issue with this project and it has been shuffled off to the side a number of times. Issues, being my lack of skills or equipment.
In 2011 Southpaw and L, "banded" the mortar tube and cobbled together a base and made the Junk yard dog just in time for the CBCC I.
This mortar is about as big a mortar that I would want to crew alone. It weighs some where close to 90 lbs and is a handful.
I am have located a lathe that I can use to add the rear radius. Then I can weld on the trunnion and build the carriage. I have the wood-true southern yellow pine and handles. This project will come after I rebuild the Lapan.
I brought this up because Bruce mention the topic over in the bowling ball thread. Hope it gives you some food for thought, Bruce.
Several year back I acquired a piece of steel to build a pop can mortar from. When I went to Fort Shenandoah I wanted a 24 PDR. I looked at the piece of steel I had an decided the best I could do was a 6 PDR. I had the steel bored out to 3.67 inches and a mould made to cast 3.58 inch zinc round ball. The mould is currently lodge with Rotometals.
I picked up the plans for the Confederate Pattern from the West Bros. in Virginia. I scaled them done for my 6 PDR. Here is their barrel plan.
The were some issue with this project and it has been shuffled off to the side a number of times. Issues, being my lack of skills or equipment.
In 2011 Southpaw and L, "banded" the mortar tube and cobbled together a base and made the Junk yard dog just in time for the CBCC I.
This mortar is about as big a mortar that I would want to crew alone. It weighs some where close to 90 lbs and is a handful.
I am have located a lathe that I can use to add the rear radius. Then I can weld on the trunnion and build the carriage. I have the wood-true southern yellow pine and handles. This project will come after I rebuild the Lapan.
I brought this up because Bruce mention the topic over in the bowling ball thread. Hope it gives you some food for thought, Bruce.