Instruction Manual for Mini Cannons

Congratulations on acquiring your UncommonCarry Mini Cannons! Here, you will find detailed, step-by-step instructions for loading and firing your miniature cannon, as well as care and maintenance tips. Before jumping into all the fun we at UncommonCarry take safety very seriously. First and foremost, NEVER under any circumstances point the cannon at yourself or any other living thing, EVER! Due to the nature of this activity, extreme caution must be used at all times! So we want you to make sure that you know in no event shall our company be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special consequential damages, to property or life, whatsoever arising out of or connected with the use or misuse of our products. and if you have any questions or concerns about any of these instructions or materials, please email us at info@uncommmoncarry.com.

Materials Included

 Black Powder (3f) or Black Powder Substitute (3f equivalent) NO SMOKELESS POWDERS!

 Cannon fuse or firecracker fuse (2mm diameter or less)

 4mm sized balls 

Materials Recommended

 Safety Glasses

 Paper towel for wadding

 Q-tip®

 Small funnel or folded piece of paper  

Firing Instructions Mini Combat Cannon  

Step 1: Put on your safety glasses! Double check that the bore of the cannon barrel is completely empty, clean, and dry by inserting a Q-tip® all the way into the barrel and extracting it. Examine the Q-tip® for debris or black powder residue. Repeat until the bore is completely clean.

Step 2: Unlatch the lock pad by swiveling out the lock pad from the back. Remove the fuse holder from inside the bore.

Step 3: Insert the mini cannonballs into the mini fuse holder (shaved/shorter end of the fuse holder).

Step 4: Use proper/funnel to apply powder into opposite end of the fuse holder (opposite of the shaved end).

Step 5: Apply gunpowder until it nearly fills the interior of the fuse holder.

Step 6: Insert cannon fuse into the same end of the gunpowder (opposite of the shaved end). Leave enough of the fuse to be inserted into the latch as well.

Step 7: Insert both of the fuse holder and latch into the bore of the cannon.

Step 8: Find a suitable target with a backstop behind the target to prevent the projectile from escaping your controlled area. The backstop should be a soft material like dirt or several layers of wood or thick cardboard to absorb the projectile and help prevent ricochets. Steel projectiles are more prone to ricochet than lead projectiles.

Step 9: If you haven't already, PUT ON YOUR SAFETY GLASSES! Make sure everyone in the area is behind the cannon and wearing safety glasses. No one should be able to see the opening of the barrel. Keep in mind that these mini cannons are more than powerful enough to penetrate skin and/or clothing. Double check that your container of black powder is closed and far away from the cannon. Note: Wadding can catch on fire and stay smoldering for some time after firing. Make sure there aren’t any flammable materials around or in front of the cannon. The wadding can travel long distances from the cannon, especially if there is wind.

Step 10: Aim your cannon at the target. The cannon will recoil backwards, so make sure the cannon is not near the edge of a table. Do not try to prevent the cannon from recoiling as this can cause damage to the carriage. Full size cannons were designed to recoil freely to prevent damage. The same concept applies to miniatures!

Step 11: Make sure your face and all other parts of your body are not directly above the vent. Light the fuse to fire the cannon. Stand Back! To fire again, repeat from Step 1 after waiting at least 5 minutes before approaching and handling the cannon.

Misfires: If the cannon fails to fire, wait at least 5 minutes before approaching and handling the cannon. When you do handle the cannon, treat it like it could still fire. The most common causes of misfires are the fuse not being fully inserted, forgetting to insert the powder charge, or accidentally inserting wadding before the black powder. If you are absolutely sure that there is still black powder in the correct position, use a fuse holder to clean out the vent and expose fresh powder. Insert a new fuse and attempt to fire again. If the cannon continues to not fire, use compressed air to blow into the vent to force the projectile/wadding/powder out of the barrel. If you don’t have an air compressor, you can try using a bicycle pump with a sports ball inflation needle (most inflation needles will fit tightly in the vent). The bike pump method may not work if the wadding in the barrel is excessively tight. After you remove the projectile/wadding/powder, clean the bore and vent thoroughly before attempting to fire again.

Firing Instructions Mini Covert Cannon  

Step 2: Insert cannon fuse inside small hole.

Step 3: Tilt cannon upright to make it easier to apply gunpowder.

Step 4: Use paper/funnel to apply gunpowder until it nearly fills in the bore of the cannon. Leave enough room inside to insert a mini cannon ball after gunpowder has been applied.

Step 5: Insert the mini cannon ball inside the cannon after the gunpowder.

Step 6: Re-adjust the cannon by aiming your target.

Step 7: Find a suitable target with a backstop behind the target to prevent the projectile from escaping your controlled area. The backstop should be a soft material like dirt or several layers of wood or thick cardboard to absorb the projectile and help prevent ricochets. Steel projectiles are more prone to ricochet than lead projectiles.

Step 8: If you haven't already, PUT ON YOUR SAFETY GLASSES! Make sure everyone in the area is behind the cannon and wearing safety glasses. No one should be able to see the opening of the barrel. Keep in mind that these mini cannons are more than powerful enough to penetrate skin and/or clothing. Double check that your container of black powder is closed and far away from the cannon. Note: Wadding can catch on fire and stay smoldering for some time after firing. Make sure there aren’t any flammable materials around or in front of the cannon. The wadding can travel long distances from the cannon, especially if there is wind.

Step 9: Aim your cannon at the target. The cannon will recoil backwards, so make sure the cannon is not near the edge of a table. Do not try to prevent the cannon from recoiling as this can cause damage to the carriage. Full size cannons were designed to recoil freely to prevent damage. The same concept applies to miniatures!

Step 10: Make sure your face and all other parts of your body are not directly above the vent. Light the fuse to fire the cannon. Stand Back! To fire again, repeat from Step 1!

Care and Maintenance

After every shot, clear the vent with a fuse holder then use a Q-tip® to clear the bore of black powder residue and other debris. At the end of a shooting session, dip a Q-tip® in rubbing alcohol and run it in and out of the bore a few times or until no black powder residue is left in the bore. Black powder residue is highly corrosive. Be sure not to leave powder residue in or on the barrel for an extended period of time. Do not allow cleaning chemicals to come in contact with painted wood parts.

Make sure not to let any solvent sit in the barrel for an extended period of time (most gun cleaning solvents are designed to dissolve brass). Before long-term storage, wipe down the barrel with gun oil or WD-40® to help prevent oxidation. To bring your cannon barrel back to an untarnished shine and remove oxidation, use steel wool or a brass cleaner like (brass and bronze barrels only). Use on a Q-tip® to remove oxidation from inside the bore.

For black coated barrels, do not use harsh solvents like acetone for cleaning. Instead, use a Q-tip® with a small amount of rubbing alcohol to clean the bore, then follow with gun oil or WD-40® on a Q-tip® to protect the bore from oxidation. Use a clean dry cloth to clean the exterior of the barrel. Do not use steel wool or any harsh chemical cleaners on the exterior of the barrel, as this could scratch or remove the coating.

More information on our products can be found on our website: www.uncommoncarry.com

DISCLAIMER: The products we sell are meant for recreational use only. Our products should always be used under the supervision of an adult who is knowledgeable in the use of black powder ordinances. Misuse of any cannon or mortar may result in serious injury. UncommonCarry does not take any responsibility for any misuse, tampering, or unlawful acts in the use of our products. Check your state and local laws before purchasing.