US Army 3-Inch Ordnance Rifles of Plaistow, New Hampshire
Two US Army 3-Inch Ordnance Rifles are displayed in Plaistow, New Hampshire
Two US Army Ordnance Rifles are displayed in Plaistow, New Hampshire. Many thanks to friend-of-the-page Nick Patrick for sending these photos! The two rifles are:
US Army 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle Number 69 manufactured by Phoenix Iron Company in 1861. The weight as manufactured was 819 pounds.
US Army 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle Number 683 manufactured by Phoenix Iron Company in 1864. The weight as manufactured was 816 pounds.
The two Ordnance Rifles are displayed in a small park adjacent to the Plaistow Town Hall. They are nicely displayed on reproduction carriages.
The 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle was manufactured in wrought iron at the Phoenix Iron Company in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Over 950 3-Inch Ordnance Rifles were produced for the US Army during the American Civil War. Over 500 survive to the present day. During the war they were highly regarded by artillerymen on both sides as accurate, reliable guns. They were capable of firing shot, shell, case, and canister, though shot was rarely used and the rifled barrel produced irregular patterns with canister. After the war, they were kept in service in the US Army alongside the 12-Pounder Napoleon when most other types were retired.
Muzzle of US Army 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle Number 683
US Army 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle Number 69 in Plaistow, New Hampshire
Muzzle of US Army 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle Number 69 in Plaistow, New Hampshire
Breech of 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle in Plaistow, New Hampshire
US Army 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle in Plaistow, New Hampshire - showing the “US” on the top of the tube.
