The Model 1861 3-Inch Ordnance Rifles were among the best and most widely used field artillery pieces of the Civil War and continued to be used into the late 19th century Indian Wars. Many of the roughly 350 3-Inch Ordnance Rifles extant lie within national historic sites/military parks. They were designed by John Griffen, the superintendent of the Phoenix Iron Co. of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, who created a new technique that produced stronger and lighter artillery by using multiple layers of wrought iron strips welded together and using a rolling press. Only one reportedly failed in use, and it had been double charged. A one-pound charge can fire a 9.5 lbs. solid projectile 1,830 yards (over one mile!). They were very accurate and lighter than some of the comparable rifled artillery of the period such as the Parrott rifles. This example has a pinched front sight post and is marked "J.H.V.F. No 693 PICo. 1864/816 lbs" on the muzzle (initials of the proving officer, no. 693, manufactured by Phoenix Iron Co. in 1864, and 816 pound weight). "US" marked on top between the trunnions. The original rear sight base for the Pendulum Hausse sight (not included) is present. It is mounted on a green painted carriage.

Very fine overall, retains nearly all of the professionally applied black painted finish on the tube with some pitting showing underneath as well as the original lathe turning/machining marks. The carriage retains nearly all of the applied green and black painted finish with some oxidation visible on the contact surface of the wheels, and a few cracks visible in the wheel hubs and on the right of the carriage, both remain otherwise sound.