Discussion Artillery Service

I am surprised that so many 6 pound cannon survived the war. Melting down three of them salvaged enough very valuable metal to cast 2 Napoleons. Mr. Newton's laws being what they are, a 12 pounder is exponentially more powerful than a 6. That is quite a trade, same number of horses, same number of men, huge increase in hitting power. If that isn't a win/win scenario, I don't know what is.

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One of the four original 1841 model six pound smoothbore cannon on the square in Franklin TN. There were six pounders at Ft. Negley, Fortress Rosecrans, Ft Defiance & other backwater installations. I assume that explains their survival.

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In this image taken of Battery Mitchell in Fortress Rosecrans Murfreesboro TN, a Model 1841 show glancing blow to the wheel & a corresponding dink in the gun barrel. In the background is one of the homegrown experiments that has been pointed out. It appears to be a 70 pound field howitzer. Either that or it is a prop from Buster Keaton's The General.
It would be interesting to know how many survivors were re-bored rifles. I suspect not many because bronze was not conducive to durable rifling but who knows. That first photo is an excellent image of a 6 lber - well done.
 
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