4.62-Inch Gorgas Rifle at Stony Creek, Virginia
Santee1821 . Santee1821 .

4.62-Inch Gorgas Rifle at Stony Creek, Virginia

A 4.62-Inch Siege Rifle cast by Bellona Foundry (near Richmond) in 1862 may be found in Stony Creek, Virginia. Weight of 5,360 pounds is stamped on the breech. The right trunnion reads "BF / JLA" (Bellona Foundry / Junius L. Archer).

Olmstead et al. identifies this cannon as a "Gorgas Rifle", a type manufactured by both Tredegar and Bellona. This example is the only known survivor of the type. As noted in "The Big Guns", this rifle is nearly identical to the 4.62-Inch "Gibbon and Andrews" rifle found at Fort Branch except for the latter rifle being banded and therefore eight hundred pounds heavier.

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The 4.62-Inch Gibbon and Andrews Rifle of Fort Branch
Santee1821 . Santee1821 .

The 4.62-Inch Gibbon and Andrews Rifle of Fort Branch

The only (known) surviving 4.62-Inch Gibbon and Andrews Rifle is part of the remarkable collection of original artillery at Fort Branch near Hamilton, North Carolina. This Confederate siege rifle was recovered from the Roanoke River at Fort Branch in 1977 having been submerged since the fort was destroyed and abandoned in April of 1865. It was recovered still mounted on the remains of its siege and garrison carriage which is also on display in the Fort’s museum.

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Early 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad at Fort Pulaski
Santee1821 . Santee1821 .

Early 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad at Fort Pulaski

An early 8-Inch Confederate Columbiad is displayed on the parapet of Fort Pulaski near Savannah, Georgia. While it resembles the US Army “New Columbiad” of 1857/1858, it is the only known example of its specific type to survive.

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