MS4005 – Naval Smoothbore Deck Cannon

These models are as detailed as the real cannon and equipment on America's Civil War battlefield.

HISTORY

The 18th century naval smoothbore deck cannon was a flat trajectory weapon with a point blank range of 300 yards. It used any of the period projectiles: solid shot, hot shot, bombs, grape and canister. Standard ammunition was occasionally supplemented by whatever scrap materials that were on hand, including bolts, chains, nails, even pieces of kettles.

The gun was mounted on a wooden carriage made of elm, which was both splinter resistant when hit by opposing gunfire and stout enough to withstand the shock of the recoiling gun. Various tackles enabled the gun crew to position the weapon. With unpredictable seas tossing both target and gun, accurate gunnery at a distance required an expert gunner, a well trained gun crew and a bit of luck. As a result, evenly matched ships tended to sail alongside each other and blast away until the more battered one struck her colors and surrendered.

KIT FEATURES

Historically accurate and perfectly scaled

Cleanly cast Britannia metal components

Authentically detailed cannon barrel

Wooden deck & bulwark

Clearly written illustrated instructions

Easy to build assembly & painting time 5-10 hours

Guns Of History Kit No. MS4005