A Modern Breech-loading Field Gun (Fig. 341). This is a simple toy to make. A piece of stripwood, A, ¼" × ¼" × 2", must first be cut, and the ends, B and C, rounded for about ½ inch (Fig. 340). Next two pieces of stripwood, D and E, ¼" × ¼" × 1¼", are cut. These must have their tops rounded as in Fig. 341, and have holes drilled through them to receive a rounded match, G. F is a piece of wood ½" × ¼" × 5/8". Pieces F, D and E are glued or nailed to A. Before the pivot G is put in position the cannon must be made. This is a roll of black paper, 3¾ inches long, ½ inch in diameter at widest end, and ¼ inch at the narrowest. Holes are made through it to receive the pivot. The ends of the match sticks that project beyond D and E can be cut off. Next the wheels are cut. These may be cardboard discs of diameter 1-3/8 inches.
A piece of wood, H, is next cut, ½" × ½" × 4½", and worked to the shape shown in Fig. 341. The end L must be sawn at an angle, so that when H is glued on, D is perpendicular. The end L is glued to the piece of wood, F. K is a piece of cardboard with a hole through it for pulling the cannon along; it is glued to end M.
The wheels, etc., should be painted black or grey. The cannon itself may be made of white paper and painted grey or yellow, or else made of yellow or light brown paper.
A Cart must next be made to carry ammunition for the cannon. The shells for the cannon described would be about 2¼ inches long, so the cart must be 2½ inches long, and 1¾ inches wide (Fig. 342). It can be made of wood or cardboard. Notice the end to which the lid is attached.
Fig. 342
Fig. 343
Fig. 344