tms wrote:
Hey Zulu,
You can't wait 12 weeks to start something that will last 100 years or more? If oak is the authentic wood then I think that you should use it. Perhaps start on the metal parts while you wait. Although not a consideration for a non shooter, maple is less shock resistant than oak. Most diffuse porous woods like cherry and maple are less shock resistant than ring porous woods like oak.
Just my 2¢,
Tom
Hey Tom,
My biggest issue is my time frame. I have 5 months from when I receive my down payment which is in process now I think.
I already will have to wait about 12 weeks for the wheels. It was my hope to be well along with the carriage frame by the time the wheels showed up. They are not ordered yet.
If I also wait 12 weeks for the wood (probably more since the tree would have to be cut down and slabbed out before kiln drying) I will likely have less than 2 months to do this. Not enough time.
The iron work has to be custom fitted to the wood so there is very little to do there in the meantime.
Is it wise to cut and use wood fresh out of the kiln?
The cannon and carriage will likely sit in the same place for a very long time. I can't see it being moved more than 100' ever.
As far as authenticity goes, That's all I have heard from the Conservator whom I am working with.
But, there will not be too much authentic about what I'm getting ready to do.
This is my opinion only and can't be backed up with any historical fact.
The lady I am dealing with wants a field carriage. I have never heard of a 2240 lb. barrel mounted on a field carriage. Way, way too big. My guess is that it was mounted on some type of garrison carriage.
She wants it stained and varnished. I do not think, whatever carriage it was mounted on, that it was stained and varnished.
There were 20 or 21 cannons at the Alamo that no doubt, were hastily thrown together in a short period of time. All were mounted on something. Probably not stained and varnished!
Any carriage that had to be made was most likely hammered together by a carpenter using Cottonwood trees from the river side close by.
Probably not even painted.
A Texas historian friend of mine told me I was best served to keep my opinions to myself and just do what I am told to do. He said there will be a hundred critical experts with differing opinions and it would be best if I was left out of the argument. Probably sound advice.
This will be the largest field carriage I have personally laid eyes on. I'm not saying that one never existed. Just that I don't think one was at the Alamo.
It looks like I will be using maple so far. Still looking.
The above is my personal opinion and I have nothing too back it up with.
Just thinking out loud.
Zulu