A.B. Reading & Bro. 3-Inch Rifle at Petersburg
A.B. Reading & Bro. 3-Inch Rifle at Petersburg National Battlefield
A 3-Inch Rifle produced by A.B. Reading & Bro. of Vicksburg in 1862 is displayed at Petersburg National Battlefield. Pre-war, Adam Breech Reading’s foundry turned out steam gauges, circular saw mills, water and gas pipes, and boilers. By late 1861 the foundry converted to produced bronze ordnance and projectiles for artillery for the Confederacy. In 1862, General P.G.T. Beauregard issued an appeal to citizens to turn in their bells to supply bronze to foundries.
A.B. Reading & Bro. produced both 6-Pounder smoothbores and 3-Inch Rifles. The 6-Pounders resemble the US Army Pattern 1841, though they are about 70 pounds heavier than standard - turning out to be around 950 pounds. On the other hand, the 3-Inch Rifles were relatively light at about 775 pounds each. Three of the 3-Inch Rifles survive, with Numbers 3 and 24 being at Petersburg (See Daniel and Gunther, pp. 52-54).
Number 24 which was cast in 1862 was displayed at Battery 5 at the time of my most recent visit. I presume that the COL. on a trunnion refers to the Columbus Arsenal which received some of A.B. Reading’s production.
Trunnion showing “A.B. Reading & Bro. V.Burg Miss. No. 24. 1862” on the 3-Inch Rifle
Bore of the A.B. Reading 3-Inch Rifle showing 6 grooves, left hand.
Trunnion showing “COL.” - which I believe refers to the Columbus Arsenal
A.B. Reading & Bro. 3-Inch Rifle at Petersburg National Battlefield
