Quote:
Originally Posted by SoulManic
From my last post. The structure had a purpose.
It is shown by the eye on the rear of the cannon & the eye at the front end of the carriage, they are for attaching the ropes & pulleys for return to battery position, after firing and reloading.
You mentioned steering, that implies transportation too another location. I don't intend to be negative, just can't see the point of making a replica, why not make a 1/8th scale model of a complete cannon & carriage and put it on display some where safer than up the Coppice.
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Comparing the eye on the front of the carriage with that on the rear of the cannon barrel and those (still present) on the sides of the carriage it appears to be much too small to serve the same purpose, ie. hauling the cannon back to its firing position. Also there's a lot more to the ironwork under the front than just an eye sticking out. That's what makes me think that it could be for sideways alignment as the cannon is reset for firing.[/quote]
Its evident that you don't know much about ships cannons, or siege cannons, side ways movement is referred to as Windage, and was achieved by the use of 6 ft long iron shod levers.
Those eyes may seem too small for your inexperienced point of view but thats what they were used for, for a realistic episode of ships cannons at work I suggest you watch the film Master & Commander, thats as near as the real thing as you will ever get.
As for fire arms and such, I suggest you ring Fulwood Museum & ask for Jane the Curator, then ask her of my knowledge on the subject.