US Navy 100-Pounder Parrott Rifles of Buffalo, New York

Aug 15

US Navy 100-Pounder Parrott Number 352 displayed in Buffalo, New York

Two US Navy 100-Pounder Parrott Rifles, Numbers 346 and 352, are displayed in Front Park in Buffalo, New York. Both are marked "Water Core" on the muzzle signifying that they were cast according to Rodman's technique. The Parrotts are mounted on a ornamental iron pedestal which is in the shape of a stylized carriage. Many thanks to my friend, Elias, for these photos!

The two Parrott Rifles are:

Number 346 manufactured by West Point Foundry in 1864. It weighs 9,747 pounds.
Number 352 manufactured by West Point Foundry in 1865. It weighs 9,797 pounds.

These two 100-Pounders are the last two of the type present in Buffalo. According to an article written by Jim Mendota between twenty and twenty-five navy 100-Pounders were brought to Buffalo from the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1880. The Parrotts were placed on display around the city including eight at Front Park. The four at “Soldiers Circle” which feature in early 20th Century postcards were removed as traffic hazards in the 1930s. All of the others were taken for scrap after President Roosevelt’s appeal in 1942. The only two to survive were at Delaware Park in Buffalo. Removed from display and put in storage in the 1970s, they were refurbished and placed in their current location at Front Park in 2014.

The 100-Pounder Parrott Rifle has a 6.4-Inch bore (and is often called a “6.4-Inch Parrott” for that reason). The US Navy used the 100-Pounder on many ships during the American Civil War, often in conjunction with the 9-Inch Dahlgren which was of similar weight. Depending on the ship, the 100-Pounder could be mounted either on a broadside carriage or on a pivot mounting. The US Army used 100-Pounder Pounder Parrotts in both fortresses and in siege works.