Civil War Armory

Artillery

Large-caliber guns used in warfare on land are referred to as artillery.  There are many different types of cannons included in this branch of weaponry.  They are usually used at a distance to take out forts and multiple soldiers at once. 

Gunpowder and a cannonball would be put in the barrel of the gun.  When the gunpowder was ignited, it would propel the cannonball out of the cannon with devastating speed and strength.  Then the weight of these metal cannonballs would crush their targets.

10-Pounder Parrott

The 10-pounder Parrott was used the most during the Civil War.  It was 78 inches long.  It shot 10 pound cannon balls, but the cannon itself was actually 890 pounds.  It was made of cast iron and had a 2000 yard range.  The Parrott was invented by Captain Robert Parker Parrott.

3-Inch Ordinance Rifle

A favorite in the civil war in both armies, the 3-Inch Ordinance Rifle was used the second most.  It was popular because of its reliability and accuracy.  It was 73 inch long, 816 pound, wrought iron cannon.  It was manufactured in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania in 1861.  Its name comes from the diameter of its barrel (3 inches).  It could shoot cannonballs 1850 yards.

6-Pounder Smoothbore

The 6-Pounder Smoothbore was used greatly by the confederate army.  It shot 6 pound cannon balls through a 3.67 inch barrel.  The Smoothbore was made of bronze and shot 1520 yards.  It was created by Emperor Napolean the III.