The twelve pound "Napoleon" cannon was first used in the U.S. in 1857 and was the most popular smoothbore cannon used during the Civil War and was known to be safe and reliable as well as devastating especially at close range. They were said to be accurate out to a mile when handled by a skilled crew. The Union Ordnance Department simply called it the "light 12-pounder gun" to differentiate it from the longer barreled "heavy 12-pound gun" which was seldom used. The Napoleon was the last bronze gun used by the U.S. Army. This example is modelled after one of the Confederate variations based on its straight muzzle. While most Napoleon cannons used by both sides during the war were bronze, the Confederacy began casting iron Napoleons at the Tredegar Iron Works in January 1864 due to the scarcity of copper which was compounded by the Union Army's capture of the copper mines outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The massive cannon is just over 11 foot long from the muzzle to the end of the carriage tail and is 5 1/2 feet wide from the outside edges of the wheels which stand 4 feet and 10 inches tall. The bore is 4 1/2 inches at the muzzle which has a post sight, and the cannon itself is 6 feet long from muzzle to the cascabel. The wheels on the limber are the same size. The limber chest and cannon carriage are both marked "No. 1", and there is a round brass plaque on the right side of the carriage tail marked "161A/BOC". Multiple cannon ramrods (two with bore mops), wheel stops, a canvas cover, leather muzzle and vent covers, two iron vessels, and other accoutrements are included. The wood has an olive green paint while the iron has a glossy black paint. No maker's marks were found.

Very fine as custom made. 90% of the black and olive paint remain with some minor imperfections. There are some cracks in the wood mostly on the axle body and some minor oxidation on the iron wheel rims where the black paint has flaked. This is a very well built cannon and limber set complete with various accoutrements and would look right at home on a Civil War battlefield surrounded by men in gray.