Civil War Artillery: the Six Pounder

Six Pounders in storage

We will begin our look at the common types of artillery used in the American Civil War beginning with the Six Pounder, model of 1841. Close ups of this particular gun will serve as type examples for other types of guns where possible.

To explain the nomenclature a little, most smoothbore field artillery was named by the approximate weight of the solid shot fired.

Six Pounder owned by Robinson's Battery

The weapon photographed here is an original six pounder, named "Goldie" by the battery she serves. She is made of bronze, hence the name.

Six Pounder Muzzle

Most artillery pieces were stamped with multiple types of information. While not all founders followed the same procedures, "Goldie" has all of them so she can represent. Stamped on the muzzle of the barrel are the weapon's serial number and the initials of the original government inspector.

Left Trunnion

On the left hand trunnion is the date of manufacture.  Yes, this gun was cast in 1861 so as of this writing she is 157 years old.

Right Trunnion

On the right trunnion is the manufacturer. In some cases it might simply be initials or a number but in this case it is full name and where they were located.

Breech

On the breech is stamped the actual weight at time of manufacture. In this case, the barrel weights in at 890 pounds.

Something I lack a close up of is the government acceptance stamp of "US" on top of the barrel.


This type of gun was employed primarily in the first year of the war. By the middle of 1863 they had largely been phased out by the larger and more effective Napoleon.  Indeed, General Robert E. Lee faced a shortage of the Napoleon and recommended those six pounders still in Confederate service towards the end of 1863 be turned in to depots to provide raw material for Napoleon manufacture.


You may wonder if this weapon is still able to be used...

READY!

 

FIRE!

 

These photos show the live fire artillery competition at Camp Grayling, Michigan in 2017. The white specks in the distance were the targets at 600 yards. Yes, that's me standing there holding the worm. As a little side note, I am pleased to report that Robinson's Battery (Jade's home unit and my second home) took first place in the smoothbore competition.

 

 

Some general specifications for the Six Pounder, Model 1841 according to one book I have in my possession:

 

Bore Diameter: 3.67 inches

Length of tube: 60 inches (5 feet)

Weight of tube: 884 pounds (meaning Goldie is a little overweight.)

Powder Charge: 1.25 pounds

Range at 5 degrees Elevation: 1,523 yards

That's it on the general overview of the Six Pounder. Next time in artillery we will take a short look at the 3 inch Ordnance Rifle, the weapon of my home unit.

-Corporal



Unknown Location. 6-Pdr. Field Gun, Model. United States, None. [Between 1860 and 1865] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/cwp2003001035/PP/. (Accessed March 10, 2018.)

Goldie was photographed during a living history event at Western Michigan University on 3/3/18. That is why she is surrounded by modern construction.