Naval Canister

[CarlS]

Here is something I had delivered to the Dalton Show with Mike's kind help.  I didn't post it in the Dalton thread since it wasn't really at the show and only delivered there.  It is a 12-lber Naval canister.  The bottom plate is a dig 12-lber plate and the lead balls are from Virginia.  They were found in a wet environment which is why they don't have much patina.  The top plate is a Gotter repro that is a great match.   It is a nice addition to my mini-canister collection. 

[pipedreamer65]

That's real nice.  Whats the diameter of those balls?

[CarlS]

Pipe:  They are about 1".  I measured a few for accuracy and they seem to be 1.05".

[alwion]

ok whats the difference between a regular canister and a navy?

[CarlS]

Good question.  Primarily the lead balls although it was made with iron as well.  Lead doesn't rust and likely was the choice for sea going vessels.  Iron was probably fine for the Mississippi, etc.   If they were iron they would absorb moisture from the sea air which would cause them to rust and speed up the tin can outer shell to rust.  this is detailed a bit on page 379 of Ripley's book under "Chapter XII AMMUNITION CANISTER".  At the bottom in the "NAVY" paragraph he lists for the 12-lber Gun that a version of it takes 39 count of 1" lead balls and weighs 11 pounds. 

[pipedreamer65]

Just between us, I have several of those balls that came off the USS Aster @ the mouth of the Cape Fear River.  Apparently Aster had 2 12 pounders on board.  I also have a few that came from Old Battery Gatlin above Carolina Beach.  I wasn't positive what their original origin projectile was.  Thank you

Again, beautiful piece.

[CarlS]

Thanks.  I won't tell anyone! 

[pipedreamer65]

haha, good!