This Phoenix Iron Co. 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle was manufactured in 1864 per the date marking on the muzzle, and its registry number "702" is listed as inspected by Union inspector Theodore Thadeus Sobieski Laidley (TTSL) on February 5, 1864, according to Appendix 5A page 241 of "Field Artillery Weapons of the Civil War" by Hazlett, Olmstead and Parks. The company produced most (around 1,000) of the 3-Inch Ordnance Rifles. Many of the roughly 350 surviving 3-Inch Ordnance Rifles lie within national historic sites/military parks, per page 123 of the aforementioned book. This model, invented by John Griffen, was reported to be very accurate under a mile. These were the second most common rifled field artillery pieces during the Civil War, and only one burst in action. This cannon was manufactured by the Phoenix Iron Company of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, just northwest of Philadelphia. These early rifles were made using John Griffen’s method; which used wrought iron rods bundled and then heat-welded together before drilling out the bore. It has a 3 inch diameter bore with seven-groove rifling, a post front sight, Pendulum Hausse rear sight seat (sight absent), "T.T.S.L. No. 702 P.I. Co. 1864/816 lbs" marked on the muzzle, and "US" on top between the trunnions. Includes a professionally built Model 1861 No. 1 field artillery wooden carriage with "J. C. BIDWELL/PITTSBURGH" markings on the irons for hardware manufacturer J. C. Bidwell who supplied artillery carriages to the Allegheny Arsenal in Pittsburgh. These irons are a great example of 19th century craftsmanship typical of that time and place. The tube measures approximately 74 inches from muzzle to cascabel, with a 65 inch inside bore length, with overall measurements, including the carriage, approximately 129 inches long by 81 inches wide by 57 inches tall.

Per the consignor, the gun tube and carriage were professionally restored to field ready condition by Historical Ordnance Works with the rifling and iron carriage fittings original, and it has been stored indoors for at least the past 50 years. The tube is fine and retains nearly all of the applied black painted finish over light pitting on the tube with some light handling marks, distinct markings, and some machining marks. The carriage is also fine, with most of the applied green and black painted finishes, partially worn markings, and some light handling marks.