US Army 24-Pounder, Pattern 1819, Rifled at Vicksburg
A US Army 24-Pounder, Pattern 1819, at Fort Hill in Vicksburg
A US Army 24-Pounder, Pattern 1819, is displayed at Fort Hill in Vicksburg. It was cast at West Point Foundry in 1837. At some point it was rifled with 18 grooves, likely for service during the American Civil War. As originally manufactured it weighed 5,480 pounds.
Many smoothbores were rifled in the early years of the American Civil War by both North and South. Doing so enabled the guns to fire projectiles of nearly double the weight often with greater range and accuracy. However, the strain placed on the gun (and thus the chance of the gun bursting) was considerably greater.
In period photos, this type of 24-Pounder is seen both on Siege and Garrison carriages as displayed at Vicksburg and also on barbette carriages.
A US Army 24-Pounder, Pattern 1819, at Fort Hill in Vicksburg
