moredman wrote: The barrel was machined from a section of a ship's propeller shaft, and since it's machined steel instead of cast iron, it produces a unique sound when fired.
Really had me fooled on that one, very good job, not only on the barrel but the whole set up.
Now that were talking barrels mine is made from a section of steel drill core or drill bit section. Weights around 265 or 365 lbs, can't remember which right now. I've only loaded it to 1/3 lbs of powder though it's plenty thick enough for more. I've shot 3 loads of cannister ( ball bearings packed in sawdust ) through it and 1 softball that I never did find. I shot the cannister about 70 yards into a stand of poplar trees to watch the bark fly.
The reenactment group I belonged to was the 17th Va Cav. Co F
After being a member for the first 10 years I found relatives who were in the same original 17th and replaced their grave markers with new military monuments.
At that time I replaced another 5 monuments belonging to older relatives who came to Old Virginia from Lancaster, Pa. about the same time your family moved to Mo.
Pretty lucky in family history, I can take you here local and show you where my grandparents graves are back about 5 Greats.