Photograph by the Author
Taken at Gettysburg Nat'l. Military Park
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An early experimental design in rifling, the James Rifle was cast in bronze.
Although the relative softness of bronze makes it easier to work with than iron, bronze is generally unsuited for use in rifled cannon because the rifling quickly wears out.
Nonetheless, this model did see service in small numbers throughout the war.
Designed by Gen. Charles James, the James Rifle had a 3.8 inch bore and was classified as a 14 Pdr.
The James Rifle was manufactured by the Ames Company.
Sources:
Hazlett, James, Edwin Olmstead, & M. Hume Parks. Field Artillery Weapons of the Civil War.
(Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1983).
Thomas, Dean. Cannons: An Introduction to Civil War Artillery.
(Gettysburg: Thomas Publications, 1985).
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