12-pdr. Napoleon (USA)

12-Pounder Napoleon-Federal Manufacture

The 12-pounder field gun was developed in France in the 1850s and was named for Emperor Napoleon III. At Gettysburg, it made up 39% (142/360) of the total Federal field pieces. The U.S.A. version of the 12-pdr. is distinguished from the C.S.A. version by the muzzle swell, the Confederate tube being straight. The Napoleon fired solid shot, shell, spherical case, and cannister. In overall effectiveness it had no peer.

Bore Diameter 4.62 in (11.73 cm)

Tube Material Bronze

Tube Length 66 in (168 cm)

Tube Weight 1,227 lb (557 kg)

Powder Charge 2.5 lb (1.13 kg)

Range (5° Elevation) 1,619 yd (1480 m)

At Gettysburg 142

Thomas, Dean S., CANNONS: An Introduction to Civil War Artillery. Thomas Publications, Gettysburg, PA, 1985.
Coco, Gregory A., A Concise Guide to the Artillery at Gettysburg. Thomas Publications, Gettysburg, PA, 1998.

Back to the Gettysburg Artillery Park

Photograph by Peter Schwartz
Created 17 OCT 1999; Modified 22 OCT 1999

http://einstein.human.cornell.edu/ACW/arty/12napusa.html

Bore Diameter	4.62 in (11.73 cm)
Tube Material	Bronze
Tube Length	66 in (168 cm)
Tube Weight	1,227 lb (557 kg)
Powder Charge	2.5 lb (1.13 kg)
Range (5° Elevation)	1,619 yd (1480 m)
At Gettysburg	142