A guide to Manassas National Battlefield Park Field Artillery

Last update
Jul 13, 2005

M1841 12-pdr. Field Howitzer, Bronze.
4.62 inch smoothbore with reduced chamber at breech.
Note its short, stubby profile. C.C. howitzers have a muzzle swell similar to U.S. M1841 6-pdr. guns.

M1841 6-pdr. Gun, Bronze.
3.67 inch smoothbore;
Some guns have been converted to James Rifles but they retain the external appearance of the smoothbore guns. M1836 6-pdr. gun is identical in appearance, but lighter in weight.

Confederate 6-pdr. Gun, Iron.
3.67 inch smoothbore.
Made at Tredegar Foundry, Richmond. Smooth exterior similar in appearance to U.S. 3-inch Ordnance Rifle but breech end is more rounded and bulbous. Slight muzzle swell.

M1861 14-pdr. James Rifle, Bronze.
3.8 inch rifled bore.
Smooth exterior similar in appearance to U.S. 3-inch Ordnance Rifle. Has scalloped front sight. M1861 6-pdr James Gun is identical but has 3.67 inch smoothbore.

10-Pounder Parrott Rifle, Iron.
2.9-3.1 inch rifled bore (Replica Parrotts are unrifled).
Easily distinguished by wrought iron reinforcing band at breech end. C.S. Parrotts identified by beveled forward edge of reinforce band. M1861 and C.C. Parrotts have muzzle swell which M1863 and replicas lack. Replicas also lack vents.

M1857 Light 12-pdr. (Napoleon), Bronze.
4.62 inch smoothbore.
Smooth exterior with slight muzzle swell. Mounted on larger "#2" carriage (All others use #1 carriage). "False Napoleons" are very similar in appearance but somewhat smaller being altered M1841 6-pdr. guns with exterior lathe turned down and 1st 6 inches of bore at muzzle reamed out to 4.62 inches.