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West Point Foundry U.S. Model 1861 10-Pounder Parrott Rifle
LOT 1218
Scarce 1862 Dated Civil War West Point Foundry U.S. Model 1861 10-Pounder Parrott Rifle with Carriage - Serial no. 211, 3 inch. The Parrott Rifle was invented by
Captain Robert Parker Parrott in 1860 and manufactured at the West Point Foundry where he was the superintendent. Parrott rifles were made in multiple sizes; with most designed for use with 2.9-inch shells earlier in the war like this example, almost half of those later converted for use with 3-inch shells, and others originally manufactured for use with 3-inch shells. Some Parrott Rifles were ordered by the State of Virginia just before the war, and they were also copied by the Confederacy. They are cast iron and have large reinforcing bands in the breech section. The Parrott Rifles earned a dubious reputation for sometimes bursting without warning, leading them to be feared by artillerymen. This very solid example features three-groove rifling, a blade sight mounted on top of the right trunnion, and is marked “No 211” and “10 PDR./2.9” on the muzzle, “US” on top between the trunnions, “1862” on the left trunnion, “R.P.P./W.P.F.” (Robert Parker Parrott and West Point Foundry) on the right trunnion, “PATENTED 1861” at the top of the back of the breech and “911” pound weight marking below the knob. Includes reproduction carriage by Historical Ordnance Works and accouterments.