If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then I would have to argue that black powder cannons are definitely a man’s best friend. Especially for the man that has it all. My husband, David Harris, was born on a military base in California but moved to Fayette County when he was just a couple of months old. This Georgia Boy built his first black powder cannon in high school when he was only 18 years old. As a typical competitive man, he had to build one to be bigger and better than the one his Father built 40 years before. The same one he grew up shooting with his brothers every 4th of July!
With every piece of the exotic African Padauk wooden carriage cut with his band saw, the axles and wheels meticulously turned on his lathe and the metal and pins all worked by hand, David’s cannons boast true craftsmanship. Combine this with a 105 lb nickel-plated, sleeved-cast iron barrel, it’s safe to say each cannon is a true work of art. Each design is truly his own, yet inspired by historical naval cannons. With the proper acreage in his very own back yard, David literally blew in the New Year for many years. This of course earned his family the title of “Neighbors from hell”.
In 2015, David helped me with my first Antique Show. We created and showed uniquely up-cycled pieces of furniture including a double sink vanity made from an old metal bar cart, a coffee table made from an antique window decorated with book bind trimmings and corbels for legs, and even a side table from an 1800’s suitcase with cast iron wheels and glass top. After three days with little success, we both were so eager to get the 4th day over with. While leaving the house that morning, I caught the glimmer off David’s beautiful cannon. It sat in the center peek corner of the living room where the sun would hit it through the sliding glass doors making it shine like a bright penny and it sparked an idea in me. “Hey, babe! Why don’t you take the cannon today? See if anyone would be interested in it? Maybe someone will want you to build them one too?” Little did David and I know that that one suggestion would be the start of Legacy Cannon. As he rolled his cannon to the front of the booth, all the men came running to see who did this and how did this beauty come into existence. The big question always being “But does it shoot?”, which David would all too proudly reply, “Oh yes, it shoots, and it’s NOT a toy, now!”
Legacy Cannon’s mission is to create a timeless, one of a kind handcrafted heirloom that celebrates an exciting bonding tradition for families to enjoy together and hand down for many generations. Five years in the making, Legacy Cannon has two main product lines, which is the big 1 5/8th inch bore, golf ball-sized, 105 lb barrel cannon and the .50 caliber desk-sized cannon that comes with its retrofitted U.S. Military Ammo can as a carrying case. David is also currently working on a mid-sized range cannon which will be his first civil war inspired design.
David and Lieze Harris also own Creative Home Store in Brooks, GA. You can see his beauties there in person, or read more about them online at www.legacycannon.com.