Hello with first question on my first build

[Ratdude]

 

Newbie hello.

Hi everyone, so this is my first post. 
After several visits to the Royal Naval Historic dockyard in Portsmouth last year, the bug has really bitten me, and nearing retirement age decided on a new hobby.

There seems to be a huge knowledge base here, so looking forward into broadening my basic skill set with you guys

So I purchased a gun barrel on eBay which looks to be a Bronze casting. The Trunnions are not separate (part of the casting) The touch hole looks oversized, maybe drilled larger to stop it being functional? Strict UK gun laws make me think this was at some time a working, functional weapon, maybe a Signal cannon? Any info is greatly appreciated.

Regards Kev.

[mtaylor]

Welcome to MSW.   On the cannon... hmm....  How big is it?  There are so-called "signal cannons" and there's also some pretty small ones designed to be fired off as basically noisemakers.

[Ratdude]

Hi Mark,

length is just over 300mm.

[mtaylor]

32 minutes ago, Ratdude said:

Hi Mark,

length is just over 300mm.

That's a small signaling cannon probably then.  Or something to make noise on certain holidays.

[Ratdude]

Cheers Mark!

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome!