Ok, since I have run out of leads...

[sirhrmechanic]

Time for some Vintage brainpower.

I want to build a replica of the Civil War Confederate Williams Gun... Breechloading auto-cannon. Yes, they built it.

But I can’t find plans anywhere. Watervliet Arsenal supposedly had plans, but their museum and archive are closed... who knows when they will reopen.

So anyone have an idea where I can get a set of plans????

Similarly, the cannon and Civil War forums are all dry holes, btw.

Cheers, Sirhr

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

Maybe this guy has them. He has a couple different videos of the Williams gun.



Sincerely,
Theis

 

[packratt]

Have you checked with Tredgar Ironworks, The Valentine Museum, or the American Civil War Museum.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Have not tried the Tredegar museum... but from what I understand, they don't have a lot of archives. They are also associated with the ACWM.

The Shenandoah museum at Newmarket has a gun. But they won't let me mess with it for measurements, etc. And have no info beyond the actual gun.

The guy in the video, I believe, made several replicas with his son, but died before he finished all of them. One of the parts sets sold for peanuts a few years ago... but I missed that.

I have a note out to a guy in, I think, Arizona. My wheel guy referred me to him. So hopefully I get some info back. He apparently built at least one and probably has plans!

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[Blue Sky Country]

Hey man, I would recommend you contact Dixie Gun Works and Navy Arms and see if they might be able to scrounge up something on that piece.

DGW Inc. and Navy Arms are two leading sources of information, acquisition and research for black powder firearms from the Revolutionary War to the Spanish American War and the last of the Indian conflicts. Small arms, ammunition, artillery pieces, caissons, swords, accoutrements, and a lot more. Their catalogs may not contain everything that they have in their archives, especially literature and historical documents, so I would recommend sending an email to them describing what exactly are you looking for.

Dixie Gun Works:
http://dixiegunworks.com

Navy Arms:
http://navyarms.com

They are really good and they are always willing to take an extra step to help someone out. I hope this helps and good luck on your project.

 

[Mike Casselton]

Patent office?
Cody firearms museum?

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Now talking with a guy in Az who has three.. and all the plans! All good! Cheers, Sirhr