Re: Killdeer

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: : :

: : Jo,

: : I am sure there are some who can tell me if I am wrong or right
: : with perhaps more authority than myself, but I am sure regarding the cannons and sheepskins...it was a safety issue.  Closing air off the vents while they swabbed and then rammed fresh powder
: : down the bore.  That way, any live sparks attached to bits of
: : cloth, paper whatever from the last firing would not ignite the
: : next charge prematurely.  I have not been a cannoneer when
: : reenacting, but believe one of the commands given during the
: : loading process of cannons is "stop your vents" i.e. block them
: : off to exlude air.  The compression of the rammer and charge
: : going down the bore with a live spark still down there would act
: : like a bellows in a forge and ignite that sucker white hot!!
: : So "stop the vent" and keep that from happening.  Anybody have
: : a better idea?

: : Bill Rooks

: Good answer Bill!  I haven't had too much experience with BIG GUNS either, but I can tell that you it was pretty much as you explained it.  
: And to Jo, about Killdeer and DDL, I believe he was carrying the real one everywhere, just to get the "Feel" of the weight and length.  Killdeer was an extra long barrelled rifle and that takes some getting used to even with us"Old" hands( Gee I hope I don't start that up again.YEEHAA,Elaine), finding the perfect balance point getting by objects that can catch a long barrel and trip you up, learning to smoothly raise it to your shoulder for the shot.  All that takes practice and familrarity(sp) [HooKed on foniks}
: Now to all you Mohican Mamas and Papas and maniacs and sundrie other listeners.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  I'm sitting next to the fire with a great bottle of Watermelon Moonshine(one of the reasons for the spelling) thinking about all of you out there and wishing you all a safe and joyous HOLIDAY SEASON.  
: To you and Yours,
: Joe Hinson


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