Rusty Barrels

Judging by the date I might be too late to help, since you mentioned a 40th birthday, Jimmy Buffets song (A Pirate looks at forty) might be perfect. Yes I'm a Pirate, two hundred years too late The cannons don't thunder, theres nothing to plunder now I'm an over forty victim of fate. Arriving too late, arriving too late

I've often wondered what good are they , they don't seem to offer much protection against the elements

I like the Buckareer , I guess I'm one since I do both.

I'm still workin on my 2/3 scale 1841 6 pounder from Hern so I have not fired it yet, after a thorough inspection of the barrel I'm pretty sure I won't blow myself up. Harbormaster is right about the disclaimers, If you look deeper you'll find they all have them. The only drawback to my gun is it's projected weight in naval truck form, is over 300 hundred pounds! I sometimes wish I got a swivel gun instead.