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• How Loud Is A Big Bang Cannon?

• Complete Operating Instructions

• Safety Considerations and
   Maintenance Suggestions

HOW LOUD IS LOUD?... Is a question we are often asked.   While the experience of sound is subjective, the following chart illustrates the relative loudness of the cannons and other commonly experienced  noise sources.  It is important to note that the actual volume of noise produced by a Big Bang cannon may vary from shot to shot depending on the firing procedure- See 5 points for the loudest bangs. 

The red right hand column lists the average decibel (db) level of the sound.

The Colt Pistol at approximately 140 db is the loudest and Rustling leaves at approximately 25 db is the quietest.

BIG BANG CANNONS range from 105 db to 120 db.

5 POINTS FOR LOUDEST BANGS

1. Blow into the Ignitor opening every time before reloading.
2. Push charger plunger once only for the correct load.
3. Use good Bangsite^® - It is no good when white like flour.
4. Wash sediment out of water chamber often.
5. Keep Ignitor off except at "INSTANT OF FIRING".

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR:

• Large  25" Major Field Cannon 
• Medium 17" Junior Field Cannon

( MODELS WITH AUTOMATIC CHARGER-LOADING )

TO ASSEMBLE

1. Check the contents of the package carefully before destroying the packaging paper so as to be sure that no parts are thrown away.
2. Lift the Lock-Pin and put the barrel in place so that this Lock-Pin will enter the hole in the upper side of the barrel. Be sure that this Lock-Pin enters the hole thus securing the steel barrel to the heavy cannon body.

1. WATER - Having the charger removed, pour (1 1/2) one and one half ounces of water for 10FC & 105MM Cannon - (2) two ounces of water for 15FC & 155MM Cannon, through the charger opening into the water chamber. Replace charger and screw it down tight. Also fasten the Ignitor in place by giving it a quarter turn to the right.
2. Put Bangsite^® in the Charger-Receptacle and close Charger-Lid. Bangsite^® (ammunition) is always supplied in sealed air-tight packages. Do not put more Bangsite^® in the Receptacle than you intend to use within the next hour or so because Bangsite^® is spoiled by continued exposure to air.
3. TO LOAD - Push down once only on Charger Plunger. By so-doing just the right amount of Bangsite^® falls into the water and gas is formed which mixes with the air in the gun. The used Bangsite^® (lime) which collects in the water-chamber must be washed out frequently, otherwise this lime will get dry and become hard.
4. TO FIRE - Having allowed a few seconds for gas to form and mix with the air in the gun, pull up the Ignitor Plunger and the give it a quick push down - BANG! Sparks given off ignite the mixture of gas and air just like a gas engine.
5. Keep the Charger-Lid closed because Bangsite^® is spoiled by continued exposure to air. Likewise, keep package securely closed. When all the grains of Bangsite^® turn white like flour, then it is not good.

CAUTION:

• Every time before reloading, remove the Ignitor and blow into the Ignitor opening so as to replace the burned gas from the last shot with fresh air for the next shot.
• Do not tighten adjusting screw too much and thus waste your Spark Plug.
• Wash out cannon frequently - every 50 or 100 shots.
• Do not elevate the cannon too much or turn it upside down, because the water will be spilled.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR:

• Small 9" Light Field Cannon 
• All Solid Brass Cannons

( MODELS WITH BREECH-LOADING )

1. Each single-shot breech loading cannon is packed with Breech-Block in place.
2. WATER - Remove Breech-Block by turning to the left and pour appropriate amount of water* through the breech opening into the water chamber inside the cannon. Do not tilt the cannon too much or turn it upside down because the water will be spilled.

   *Model 6F- (1oz Water); 7FRB-7FYB (1-1/2oz Water);  16FRB-16FYB (3oz Water)

    

3. Bangsite^® (ammunition) is always supplied in sealed air-tight packages. Fill the ammunition case at rear end (cannons-drag beam) with Bangsite^®. Remove breech and dip charging measure on end of stem just level full of Bangsite^®. The right load (not too much) makes the loudest bang.
4. Put Breech-Block in place and turn same to the right until locked by the lugs. By-so-doing, the Bangsite^® falls into the water and gas is formed. Sediment (used Bangsite^®) collects in the water chamber and must be washed out often, otherwise, there will be no room for water.
5. Allow a few seconds for gas to form and mix with the air in the gun. Pull back the Ignitor plunger and give the plunger a quick push -BANG! Sparks given off ignite the mixture of gas and air just like a gas engine.
6. Keep the ammunition case closed as much as possible because Bangsite^® is spoiled by continued exposure to air. When all the grains of Bangsite^® turn to white dust like flour, then it is not good.

CAUTION:

• Blow into the breech-opening every time before reloading so as to replace the burned gas from the last shot with fresh air for the next shot.
• Do not tighten adjusting screw too much and thus waste your Spark Plug.
• Wash out cannon frequently - every 50 or 100 shots.
• Do not elevate the cannon too much or turn it upside down, because the water will be spilled.

If the cannon doesn't fire:

Try pushing the firing  pin down a second time.   Make sure you've added enough water to the cannon. Make sure the Bangsite is gray.  If it has turned to a white powder , replace it. Check the igniter to see if the flint is making sparks and replace if necessary.  The chamber should be completely closed when firing.  

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SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS 
FOR BIG BANG CANNONS

BIG-BANG Cannons are safe and can be operated even by young children, but we recommend an adult perform or supervise the loading procedure.  For safe fun: 

1. NEVER LOOK INTO THE MUZZLE OF ANY GUN AT ANYTIME - NOT EVEN A POP-GUN OR A BIG-BANG^®.

2. NEVER SHOOT ANY GUN CLOSE TO THE EAR - NOT EVEN A BIG-BANG^® OR A POP-GUN.

3. Bangsite^® will not explode. Even the hottest flame will not ignite Bangsite^® nor can it be set off by concussion, that is, by hammering the grains.

4. Bangsite^® WARNING: MAY CAUSE SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN AND EYES. IN CASE OF CONTACT WASH THOROUGHLY WITH WATER. IF SWALLOWED GIVE MILK OR WATER, FOLLOWED BY CITRUS JUICE OR DILUTED VINEGAR - CALL PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. USE BY SMALL CHILDERN SHOULD BE UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION.

5. BIG-BANG^® works like an automobile engine, using gas , air and a spark. Keep it clean and never use an "overload". Follow instructions and never abuse or misuse Bangsite^® and BIG-BANG^®.

With a minimum of maintenance your BIG BANG CANNON should last for many many years.  There are some 80 year old cannons still making a BIG BANG!  

The used Bangsite^® (lime) which collects in the water-chamber must be washed out frequently, otherwise this lime will get dry and become hard.  Also clean the cannon after you are done using it and store it in a dry place.

Bangsite^® is spoiled by continued exposure to air. When all the grains of Bangsite^® turn to white dust like flour, then it is not good.  When done using the cannon tightly close the Bangsite tube for storage.  It is a good idea to keep an extra tube of Bangsite on hand in the event that the bangsite turns to white dust while stored. 

When ordering Bangsite  for your cannon, also get some extra of our specially made igniter flints. One flint should last about as long as a tube of Bangsite , which produces about 100 shots. ( Note flints made for lighters will not work in Big Bang Cannons. ) 
Order extra Flints and Bangsite here.

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