6-Pounder Field Gun (Bronze), Model 1841

This smoothbore weapon was one of the models of 6-pounder field guns that were used by both Union and Confederate forces.
Due to advances made in the 1850's, this popular workhorse of the Mexican War era was regarded as superseded by the Union artillery, but was still heavily employed by a Confederate army that could not afford to pass up any opportunities.
Battlefield experience further demonstrated their inadequacy and the growing numbers of Napoleons and 3-inch rifles led to the 6-pounders demise. In Confederate service, bronze 6-pounders were ordered to be melted down for other weapons, and in the North, many were rifled.
At the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, only one 6-pounder was on the field, and that was in Latham's north Carolina Battery, a part of Longstreet's Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.

This barrel shows the last vestiges of the highly decorated artillery profiles that had prevailed until the beginning of the century: breech band, cascable fillet, fillet and roundel at the throat. All were dispensed with on the M1857 Napoleon that displaced both these weapons as the smoothbore of choice for both armies.

RE-ENACTMENT NOTE
The four guns used by the Confederate Artillery, A.C.W.S., are of this type.