What is this? Can we ID this cannon?

major bill

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
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Joined
Aug 25, 2012
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Even with the blurry photo its a Macon Arsenal 12lb Napoleon. They were one of the major producers of 12lber in 1863 - 1864.
 
What I found interesting was the original Watertown Arsenal carriage. You do not see many original carriages. I hung around a while today in hopes that the owner would return, but left before they came back.
 
It looks like that tube has a bell on the end or is it a straight tube?
 
That looks correct, according to the muzzle at least. A nice Confederate cannon, copying an early Parrot gun (the muzzle swell is the big giveaway). Watervillet Arsenal carriage is interesting, makes you wonder if the carriage it's Confederate vintage or a period carriage paired with the gun. Original carriages are indeed rare, many have rotted in outdoor displays, although you would be amazed at what certain pieces of wood will weather the ages.

With Civil War era guns, since all the carriages are of a standard pattern, widely produced, there are more survivors. Earlier cannons, not so much.
 
I guess that I need to get my glasses changed, now I see the three indents for the rifling. Also, did the Confederate Parrotts maintain the 2.9" bores even after the Union went with 3" in 1863?
 
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(Napoleons are brass smooth-bores)
After the 6# Brass guns were recast into 12#ers and the Ducktown Copper mines fell into Union hands, the Confederates began casting iron 12# Napoleons at foundries such as Macon and Selma. The South made no less than six variants of the Model 1857 Light 12 Pounder Gun aka the Napoleon.
 
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