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Rare 1861 Dated Civil War U.S. West Point Foundry Model 1861 10-Pounder Parrott Rifle with Carriage -
Serial no. 53, 10-Pounder cal., 60 inch round bbl., black finish. The Parrott Rifle was invented by Captain Robert
Parker Parrott in 1860 and produced at the West Point Foundry where he was the superintendent in multiple
sizes, including these 10-Pounders which were designed for 2.9 inch shells earlier in the war and later 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, and they were slowly replaced by the 3-Inch Ordnance Rifles and retired after the war. This very
solid example has “US” on top between the trunnions, “1861” on the left trunnion, “R.P.P./W.P.F.” (Robert Parker
Parrott and West Point Foundry) on the right trunnion, “CAV” above the cascabel, “No 53” and “10 PDR./2.9” on
the muzzle, and 900 pound weight marking. Includes a carriage and accouterments.
CONDITION: Fine with a full coat of black paint, clearly legible markings, and mild overall wear.
Estimate: 50,000 - 70,000
1861 Dated Civil War U.S. Model
1861 10-Pounder Parrott Rifle