Model 1841 6-pounder Gun

One of the series of artillery designed in 1841, and was very effective in the Mexican War (1847-8). Originally a bronze-tubed weapon, often produced of iron in Confederate manufacture, it was falling out of favor by 1862 because of its reduced power as compared to the Napoleon, for instance.

At least 56 of these pieces saw service in Confederate batteries on the Campaign, but none were known to be used by the Federals.

Find units equipped with these.

Solid shot (6.1 lb), spherical case, common shell, and cannister.

3.67 inches

1523 yards

1450 feet per second

60 inches

1784 pounds

Total weight = bronze tube (884 lb) + carriage (900 lb). Maximum range for 1-lb powder charge behind a 6.1 pound solid shot at 5 degrees elevation.

See more about this and other Civil War artillery at the comprehensive Civil War Artillery Page, by Chuck Ten Brink or the very nice Basic Facts page from Jack W. Melton, Jr. The NPS has a fine general introduction to Civil War artillery in a 3-page presentation.

Johnson, Curt & Anderson, Richard C., Artillery Hell: Employment of Artillery at Antietam, College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 1995.