"Cannons that really fire" Topic

I've asked this before, I know, but I'm always hopeful someone knows a source for inexpensive cannons that will fire a small projectile a la the classic 4.7 inch naval guns of "Little Wars."
Maybe the 3-D printers will start pouring these out? I can dream anyway.

People usually advise me to look for antiques on Ebay, but I don't want to spend $50 USD-75 or more a pop (so to speak) for a genuine 4.7 which might not even function any more.
And the use of a modern Nerf gun or some such is just not aesthetically pleasing.

I have seen cannon pencil sharpeners, like this one:
auction
…that are actually functional; the breach at the back pulls back on a spring plunger. I don't know know if this particular model is, but it may be worth checking out any local sources that may sell something like this.

I know that I played a game of LEGO pirates vs. Red Coats back when I was little, we used the little LEGO cannons to shoot at each other's ships and minifigs :)

So, since I assume you don't want any actual gunpowder action, it may be worth to take a look at this rather simple system.

Look for crossbows and catapults sets on e-bay…. something like that. I think there was a pirate version also.

Well, not quite what you're looking for but on the cool register these are ice cold.

minicannontech.com

Wow, some interesting options, thanks guys!
Those pencil sharpeners are priced to move and that minicannon is, indeed, icy cold!

Try Gerardo at Toy Soldiers Depot (www.toysoldiersdepot.com). As you pointed out, the pencil sharpener ones are cheap and there are some inexpensive plastic cannons out of China that shoot and come with a small sprue of shells.

You can also get recast springs for the classic Marx 12lb Napoleons. This allows you to even turn recast non-firing cannons into shooters. I believe the same spring fits Marx 88s.

Lego cannon are very nice but non-shooting in the USA. I have seen Britains cannons pretty cheep on eBay. When I was putting together my Little Wars game at Historicon, I got quite a few for under $20. USD Also, there are other Britains cannons that shoot besides the 4.7's.

auction

What was that movie that had Peter O'Toole? running around a diorama with some woman lighting little cannons shooting at each others army and blowing it up. She then grabs the ship model and sinks it.

Any one remember the name of this movie?

Check the post in the marketplace today. Real 1/32 scale black powder cannons. A little expensive but they would be sure to liven up your little wars games!

Playmobil made cannons for the pirate sets. Firing is done by "flicking" a rod that comes out the back and small cannonballs fire. They came with little yellow trays to stack the balls on also.

The crossbows and Catapaults option is a good one and often quite cheap.

Britain made quid a few toy cannon that fired metal or plastic projectiles. In fact back in the day when I was young there were lots of them, not just Britain, I had at least two different Civil War cannon, a couple of WW1 guns, several WW2 guns, and a few old ship's guns. They're probably all collector's items now but if you cruise flea markets or yard sales you might still find a few. EBay does have a few, the starting prices seem okay but I don't know what they would end at. I don't see nor did I ever have a 4.7 naval gun though.

You can get Britain's cannons quite cheaply on ebay. I have been working on a firing model of our Little Wars Revisited cannon and have the castings made, but need to source a reliable supply of brass tubing, piano wire and very thin springs so it's been on the back burner…

Mike

Wonderful suggestions, thanks guys! In all my years of looking for these, I've had more help here than anywhere.

haywire!

The movie was "Great Catherine" with Jeanne Moreau as Catherine the Great and O'Toole as a Captain Edstitston (sp?) of the 17th Lt. Dragoons come to St. Petersburg to report to the Tsarina of All The Russia's on the latest events in the American Rebellion.

The scene depicted is that of a 54mm scale model of Boston and envirions to accompany O'Toole's report on the action at Bunker (Breed's) Hill.

Those guns appeared to fire actual black powder rounds (BB's?) that blow over an enormous number of finely painted 54mm figures, complete with supporting fire from the guns on similarly scaled ship models in Boston Harbor.

The total destruction of the set (built over the Imperial Baths) is a highlight of the film, and will make any war gamer/miniatures painter/collector cringe and scream in agony!

With such other stalwarts as Jack Hawkins as the British Ambassador, and Zero Mostel as an over-the-top Potemkin, I thought the movie was a blast and a fair rendering of JB Shaw's eponymous play.

It flopped at the box office (don't know why), and is, as of my last check, still unavailable on DVD. Might be on YouTube, now that I think of it, but I HIGHLY recommend those of us with an S&M streak when it comes to use/destruction of 54mm figures.

Wonderful film--gut wrenching destruction. A "Win-Win" experience for the mad….

TVAG

Thanks General!

If nothing else will work, you could settle for non-firing gun models, but fire potato guns to deliver the rounds:

link

$1.95 USD is pretty cheap.

Personally I have found the Lego/Playmobil versions to be underpowered, and my Britains versions old and feeble, so if anyone has investigated how to re-invigorate these then do please let me know. Thanks