Discussion Iron howitzers

[tony_gunter]

Due to availability limitations of bronze, the Confederacy produced 1/3 of their howitzers from iron. Did these guns have any issues with bursting?

 

[Ole Miss]

@redbob is one of this board's top artillery expert and hopefully he will jump in and answer your question
Regards
David

 

[redbob]

After Ducktown, Tennessee (the South's main copper source as bronze is 90% copper and 10% tin) fell to the Union in 1862, the South had two choices melt down 6# guns to cast the 12# Model 1857 Napoleon Gun/Howitzers or turn to iron. The Confederate Type VI gun/ howitzers were made of cast iron and the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond produced approximately 125 in 1864-65. These guns are distinctive as they don't have a muzzle swell and have a reinforcing ring around the breech area. While cast iron is more problematic and harder to work than bronze, I haven't really found any mentions of them having a higher failure rate than bronze guns. Iron 12# Field Guns were also manufactured by several different Southern foundries and approximately 66 of these were manufactured in the Confederacy during the War.

 

[Ole Miss]

Appreciate the response @redbob as I was wondering if cast iron cannons would have been less reliable.
Regards
David