BIG GUN ARTILLERY

Finally got round to sorting out this artillery piece. I started restoration work in April 2021, but unable to find a barrel which fitted the magazine hole, all work on this project went dormant. Recently, I found a furniture stain pen which had gone somewhat dry. Not only was the thick pen perfect for my plans, but the nib could be reversed and used as an inner sheath to secure the new barrel to the original gun magazine. The original W. Britains Howitzer had a shorter barrel but I wanted this piece to have a 'super siege gun' classification in my games. Also, too many parts were missing/broken to warrant an authentic Britains restoration.

Now this gun has some real history. It was a toy originally played with by J. G. Mileham, who was born in 1912. He later became a colonel of the 16th Regiment of foot, serving during WW2. I picked up his very broken toy for £5.50 delivered, and it is with pride that it now serves in my own 'little wars'.  I have given an account of its origin under the base, and have informed his descendant.  

Original delivery.......

MGB

PS. A reply from Robert Mileham, sculptor, son of J.G., and grandson of Harry Mileham, artist 1873-1957.

'Dear Michael, Thank you for letting me know. Yes he was my father. I am so glad it is being appreciated and back in service! I too was a soldier and played with these two, cannon and gun although they never really worked. I think the gun took ‘caps’, small charges of gunpowder to make a cracking sound. We had children’s cap guns (revolvers) in those days!

Thank you for your kind words about my work.'