What kind of Civil War Trivia is this?

[civilwartalk]

You really need to see this book:

Civil War Trivia Book, by Peter Darman, Published by Barnes & Noble 2007.

Check out page 222, check out the question and answer at the bottom of the page...

Q: Why was the field artillery piece the "Parrot Gun" so called?

A: In the late 1840's, an exotic bird craze swept the United States. Parrots and parakeets were imported by the thousands. The birds became major problems in cities. In response the authorities ordered the development of artillery pieces to solve the problem. Two models were speedily developed: a ten-pound parrot gun for medium and small birds, and a twenty-pounder for larger parrots. The guns proved a failure and were put into storage, only to be brought out again for use in the Civil War.

Lots of laughs! Should this book be in the History or Humor section?



See the origin of this goofy answer: The Parrot Gun

[william42]

Wow, that's kind of scary that someone could publish that as fact in a book of Civil War trivia, and even scarier that people might believe it. I don't know much at all about the Parrot gun, except that is was invented by a Robert Parrot, and the barrels were rifled. I don't ever remember reading that they were invented specifically to kill or drive off parrots. That's the extent of my knowledge I'm afraid.

Yes, the info in that book probably would bring laughs and/or smiles to folks on this board, so the humor section would definitely be the appropriate place for it.

("Captain, we've got to do something about these danged parrots, cockatoos, and macaws. Maybe it's time for a new cannon, just for them! Get right on that will you?)


Terry

[civilwartalk]

Just for the general knowledge of the readers of this thread: The cannon in reference is actually a Parrott cannon (with two T's) for Robert Parker Parrott.

That was the tip off to me as I thumbed through the book that something was wrong with the question....

You can lean more about the Parrott Rifled Cannon here:
Civil War Talk.com - Artillery Profile: 10 pdr. Parrott Rifle
Civil War Talk.com - Artillery Profile: 20 pdr. Parrott Rifle
Civil War Talk.com - Famous Weapons: The Swamp Angel
Civil War Talk.com - Robert Parker Parrott - Soldier and Inventor of Military Ordnance

[blue_zouave]

I've run across a lot of disinformation and misinformation in my research, but this has got to be one of the best!!

Polly wanna grapeshot!



Zou

[ole]

Originally Posted by blue_zouave

Polly wanna grapeshot!



Zou

Now THAT is funny!

ole

[gary]

Please, Polly wanted a hardtack-worms and all.