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Collector’s Fact
One of only 350 3-Inch Ordnance Rifles produced, with most maintained by national historic sites and military parks.
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LOT 232
1862 Dated Civil War Phoenix Iron Company U.S. 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle with Carriage - Serial no. 368, 3 inch. This model, invented by John Griffen, was reported to be very accurate under a mile. Many of the roughly 350 3-Inch Ordnance Rifles extant
lie within national historic sites/military parks. 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 and inspected in 1861 by Union inspector Theodore Thaddeus Sobieski Laidley. The company produced most (around 1,000) of the 3-Inch Ordnance Rifles. 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. “T.T.S.L. No. 368 P.I. Co. 1862/816 lbs” marked on the muzzle, and “US” on top between the trunnions. Features seven-groove rifling and a pinched blade front sight. Includes a reproduction carriage by Historical Ordnance Works and accouterments.