Rifled 32-pounder

This replica cannon stands for a rifled Model 1841 Navy 32-pounder that was here during the War Between the States. Originally a smoothbore 32-pounder that fired a round 32-pound cannonball, it was converted into a rifle by Confederate soldiers in October 1861 by cutting spiral grooves into its bore with a rifling machine. Rifling increased its range and accuracy and allowed the use of heavier projectiles. The cannon barrel weighed 6832 pounds, the barbette gun carriage weighed 4200 pounds, the rifled projectile weighed 64 pounds, and the gunpowder charge was 8 pounds. Its extreme range was 3 to 5 miles, and its normal gun crew was 5 men. It is associated with the Confederate soldiers who fought and defended Fort Macon on April 25, 1862.

North Carolina · United States