This is an odd ad!

[rob love]

Saturday night I repacked wheel bearings on the trailer and redid the front left of the truck, leaving the front right alone since the front left was in great shape. I think I repacked them last Easter. Turns out I have a little seepage on the right front so now my truck is pulling right on every stop. It is survivable though.

I left Saturday night and with a few catnaps, woke up near the Ontario border. I got a good days driving on Sunday and slept in the truck in Kapuskasing. Next morning back on the road and was at the town in Quebec by 4:30 PM Monday, however due to a poorly marked detour did not actually get to the house until 6:30. Cash and pleasantries exchanged, I got to work and replaced the two tires on the gun with the collapsed recoil mech. I then tried to come-a-long the barrel back up but to no avail. Had to call it quits around 10 as the mosquitoes were going to fly away with me.

The owners put me up for the night, and I was back outside by 05:45 Tuesday working on the wheels of the second gun. Headed to town around 0800 to buy 8 sheets of 3/4 plywood to minimize the damage to the lawn.

Big bonus was the firing platforms were buried in the ground underneath the guns. One was chained and locked to the gun, so I managed to break the chain with a hammer, and dug the ring loose.

About that time the cavalry showed up. Bob, Rob and Ross all came out to help, driving many hours from their respective locations to join the recovery. Bob also brought along a set of tires on rims to replace the cement filled tires that were on the other gun. Good news was that all the hubs were turning.

We got the platform dragged out and up the hill. Then laid out the winch cable and snatch block, and with Ross maintaining a safety chain, Rob and myself moving the sheets of plywood ever forward, and Bob at the winch switch, we soon had the first gun up it's hill and on the flat of the lawn.

Second gun was a little tough due to the collapsed recoil, but soon enough we had it on my trailer, and then positioned Bob's trailer to pick up the first gun.

Ross was busy on the broom cleaning up debris from the driveway, and in no time we had both guns along with their platforms chained and strapped ready to go. The Gods smiled on us and held off the torrential rain until we were ready to leave.

I followed Bob back to the barn so I could meet lucifer and see the sights. By 9:30 PM I was back on the road so I could miss the Ottawa traffic, and made it to the Irving station in Pembroke, where I knew I was going to have a great breakfast. I was the first one in the restaurant when they opened at 6AM, and after a hearty clubhouse sandwhich and potatoes, made my way to Long Lake, where I have finally booked my first hotel room of the trip.

Rob and Ross took lots of photos so hopefully they will not be shy and share some here for us. I think I took one photo only at the very beginning, and got so busy I never took another.

I may start another thread covering the recovery more completely, along with the guns present condition and their restorations. As can be expected, they are not without issues, but end of the day they are two Canadian 25pdrs that you rarely find on the market here in Canada.

I want to thank Bob, Rob and Ross for coming out. Without them I am pretty sure I would have still been hand winching through the storm and into this morning. Best case is I could have called a tow truck to come and winch....worst case is I could have had my chain hoist let go and the one gun would have headed for the lake.

I owe these guys a lot, and hopefully can make repayment over the years.

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by rob love

...Rob and Ross took lots of photos so hopefully they will not be shy and share some here for us. I think I took one photo only at the very beginning, and got so busy I never took another.

I want to thank Bob, Rob and Ross for coming out. ...I owe these guys a lot, and hopefully can make repayment over the years.

Rob, I will post some photos and clips later on. From my point of view, I was glad to help someone who was of immeasurable assistance in last years Honest John border raid. BZ on the acquisition.

[derk derin]

Rob,
I am glad you had help with those recoveries. You are always first around here to help everyone else with projects and glad it came your way when you needed it! A big thanks to the Ontario guys for their efforts in helping Rob out!
Have a good trip back Rob and don't stop at any surplus stores!
Regards,Derk

[rnixartillery]

It sounds like a job well done ..........................well done !
Looking forward to some pictures.

Rob..................rnixartillery

[rob love]

Originally Posted by rnixartillery

It sounds like a job well done
Rob..................rnixartillery

No job is successful if someone gets injured. At one point an unnamed team mate was going to move a very large and awkward wooden plywood block. I told him we never lift that block, but rather to toss it on the hand dolly, which I positioned near the block. He tossed the block onto the lip of the dolly, which then swung forward and clocked him in the head. I felt very very bad about that one.

I also got in trouble with the wife over this whole event. Not because I bought two more artillery pieces, not because I left for almost a week during house renovations, but because we went to St. Huberts restaurant after the job. I thought the restaurant was excellent because I was exhausted and cold, and it was the first hot meal I had in 3 days, but apparently it is a real treat for the Quebecois, and she resented my having it.

[Peter Duggan]

Rob,

What a heartwarming story. This is what the collector community is all about. Someone with foresight, aided by others willing to invest sweat equity, and more.

I look forward to the pictures and tales that this rescue effort will generate.

Well done, Peter

[chris vickery]

Rob, the St Hubert story is always the same for me too, having a Quebecoise at home and not taking her is always a big no no.
I usually tease her anyways knowing I will catch hell in the end by taking a quick pic and texting to her...

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by rob love

....

I also got in trouble with the wife over this whole event. Not because I bought two more artillery pieces, not because I left for almost a week during house renovations, but because we went to St. Huberts restaurant after the job. I thought the restaurant was excellent because I was exhausted and cold, and it was the first hot meal I had in 3 days, but apparently it is a real treat for the Quebecois, and she resented my having it.

There is something to be said for knowing how much discomfort a man can withstand before needing a break. If this whole tale tells, it is the perseverance that military service teaches.

With the worst part of the job behind you, I am extremely glad I found the Kijiji ad in the first place, and that things worked out so well for all concerned. What started with a couple of snooty neighbours trying to boss the seller around backfired when he got cash for his so-called yard junk, Rob gets two Sorel 25-pdrs and the MLU community came together in an important effort. Well done us!

[rob love]

Originally Posted by RHClarke

Rob, I will post some photos and clips later on. From my point of view, I was glad to help someone who was of immeasurable assistance in last years Honest John border raid. BZ on the acquisition.

I have to say that the scrapyard has not looked the same since that launcher left. There is now a big open space where there were once treasure. But nobody here was ever going to use it. Derk Derin though about it 20 years ago, but chickened out.

Have a good trip back Rob and don't stop at any surplus stores!
Regards,Derk

I almost stopped at an antique store along the highway, and immediately regretted it after I passed. Went right by Ontario gun in Kenogmi as well. Am I losing it?

Looking forward to some pictures.

Me too. However be warned that when working I cannot suck the gut in full time and still manage to breathe, so some of the photos will be a testament to why you do not drink 8 cokes a day. However since it is about the guns, it will be OK.

Rob videotaped as well. Not really the kind of you tube that goes viral, but it should be enjoyable to those who like this kind of stuff.

Just getting ready to leave the hotel now, have a 12.5 hour drive ahead of me yet. Most of that is through the Cambrian shield, which is rocky and hilly. Then I will hit the flattest land on earth (Manitoba) and can breathe a little again. In Manitoba, you can set the cruise control, tie the seatbelt to the steering wheel in the straight ahead position, and have a 4 hour nap while traveling at 110 kmh.

The load feels good on the truck and trailer. The truck is a lot smother riding on the way home than it was to the guns.