Subdeacon Joe Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 http://rarehistoricalphotos.com/punt-gun-1910-1920/ Chief United States Game Warden George A. Lawyer, with an illegal 10’9″ shotgun weighing 250 pounds, which was used for duck hunting. 1920. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Interesting article, Joe. Thanks. I had forgotten about how they aimed these guns. I also scrolled down far enough to read some of the comments. There's a guy named Roger that could use a good kick in the backside...but then his brain would probably dislodge and fall out. Why do I bother looking at the comments...stupid people irk me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted January 20, 2017 Author Share Posted January 20, 2017 Interesting article, Joe. Thanks. I had forgotten about how they aimed these guns. I also scrolled down far enough to read some of the comments. There's a guy named Roger that could use a good kick in the backside...but then his brain would probably dislodge and fall out. Why do I bother looking at the comments...stupid people irk me... Because they can also be hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 I got the sense that the writer of the story accompanying the photos was not terribly well versed in the subject matter, either. But the comments were at once hilarious and sad. The text of the article is almost word-for-word the same a the Wiki article on punt guns, and most of the photos appear in both places. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_gun A bit more balance, and less false drama, can be found here: http://www.wideopenspaces.com/duck-cannon-past-punt-gun/ along with a great video of a punt gun in action (I love the way they tied it down to the table before firing!) LL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 The articles failed to note that eating duck, goose and swan was very popular in high end restaurants and wealthy homes in these times. Also, womens' hats were often adorned with plummage from swans, ibris and other waterfowl. The Maymont home (ca. 1893) in Richmond, VA has many swan themed furniture and wall items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Mosby Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 I saw a video with the late Tom Knapp where he broke 100 clays at once with a punt gun! thing is a bloody cannon! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 I saw a video with the late Tom Knapp where he broke 100 clays at once with a punt gun! thing is a bloody cannon! :) See 2nd link in Post #4, above. LL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 When you fire that cannon, how heavy does the anchor holding the punt in place have to be? Or do you spend 3 hrs rowing back to where the dead ducks are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted January 20, 2017 Author Share Posted January 20, 2017 (edited) When you fire that cannon, how heavy does the anchor holding the punt in place have to be? Or do you spend 3 hrs rowing back to where the dead ducks are? If you were to anchor the punt you would likely tear it apart from the recoil. Like with all muzzle loading artillery, you needed free recoil. I haven't read any accounts of how far the punts moved, but it likely wasn't all that farm that square stern and the oars in the water would slow it down considerably. Edited January 20, 2017 by Subdeacon Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 When you fire that cannon, how heavy does the anchor holding the punt in place have to be? Or do you spend 3 hrs rowing back to where the dead ducks are? Doesn't move the boat as far as you would think. Looks like about a boat length before he stops it with the paddles. http://youtu.be/O9r_ZckAmkc?t=9m47s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mud Marine,SASS#54686 Life Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 We had a 2 gauge cannon with wheels in the bow of a punt boat. My forebearerss used it to market hunt waterfowl to send to Eastern markets. My gggrandfather's 8 gauge 4-1/4" was also made illegal. It sure makes a boom!!! They through a net over the puddled ducks and WHAMO!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 If you were to anchor the punt you would likely tear it apart from the recoil. Like with all muzzle loading artillery, you needed free recoil. I haven't read any accounts of how far the punts moved, but it likely wasn't all that farm that square stern and the oars in the water would slow it down considerably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 SDJ & SD, Thanks for the clarity and the video of the demo. I always learn a bit on a stool in this Saloon. Capt RHK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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