After removing the skewers securing the trunnion patterns the model was removed from the mould, first by pulling out the tapered spindle, then unwinding the straw rope, after which the trunnion patterns were removed. Lastly the mould was stood on its breech end and a fire started at the bottom to melt the wax on the model thus making the clay part of it easier to remove without damaging the mould. After removal of the trunnion patterns the ends of the trunnion holes in the mould were squared off and covered by tiles suitably secured. Note that the mould had first to be made open at both ends to enable the model to be removed, hence a separate model and mould had to be made for the breech and cascable. The breech mould was then attached to the main mould. After the complete mould had been made ready to take the molten metal it was placed breech end down in a pit adjacent to the furnace and surrounded by tightly rammed earth for its entire length. The molten metal was then run into the mould to the top of the dead head. Twenty four hours after the pour mould and casting had cooled sufficiently to permit their being dug out and removed from the pit. Further cooling enabled the staves and hoops to be removed. The mould material was then broken away from the casting, the latter being cleared of rough burrs and crust with hammer and cold chisel, after which the dead head was sawn off. Thus each mould could be used once only.