19th century cannon used in Syrian Civil War - video of it firing

[Jon]

Not exactly sure what we have here, but this is looking like a modified 100-150 year old cannon, mounted to a truck and used by the Free Syrian Army. It's possible that the cannon was homemade, partially homemade, or is an Ottoman relic stolen from Syria's National Museum of Aleppo. If true, this highlights an unusual source of weaponry in times of national chaos: museums. If the excrement ever hits the air conditioning in America, I guess I'd be tempted to pay a visit to the National Air and Space Museum.

Wikipedia has a decent page on improvised Syrian artillery, specifically the famous Hell Cannon: Improvised artillery in the Syrian war

Previously:
Homemade ISIS fighting vehicles
Homemade Syrian weapons

[Jon]

Not sure if he's modified the rifle to brace it with his feet, or if that's a bipod?




I think this is a holdover from a slower and lower era of aviation, when, even then, this was a long shot.

[VinnieL]

All those frigging bullets have to come down somewhere... I can only imagine a village being shot-up by this.

[Toolmaker51]

Not sure if he's modified the rifle to brace it with his feet, or if that's a bipod?

That's a bipod alright, but he's rolling around so much the cone of fire can't be very effective. And skyward video/ audio implies he's shooting at a drone. Good luck!

Speaking unorthodox shooting positions
https://www.google.com/search?client...dmore+position

[NortonDommi]

Actually 'section fire' as it is known can be extremely effective,(second photograph),usually used against ground targets and 'lobbing' shots but was used during WWI against aircraft and has been used since with limited effect due to increased speed and armor. If you heard a drone coming in and couldn't run why not give it a shot? In this case it could just be staged propaganda or if firing at an airborne target the shooter just doesn't understand ballistics and the physics of energy which is more likely.

[Toolmaker51]

Agreed NortonDommi, the miltary version [2nd photo] has far higher potential of scoring hits aerially or ballistically toward ground targets. Though Julian Hatcher, Major of US Army experimented with vertical shooting and recorded poor results.