Wiard 6-pound Rifle - Field Artillery Museum - Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Posted by: gparkes
N 34° 39.943 W 098° 23.111
14S E 556330 N 3836145
The Field Artillery Museum located at Fort Sill in Oklahoma has a lot of very interesting items just waiting to be discovered by you.
Waymark Code: WM9E52
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 08/08/2010
Views: 5
An information card near this cannon reads:
Wiard 6-lb. Rifle
ca. 1863
Canadian-born Norman Wiard who served as US Army Superintendent of Ordnance Stores invented this unique gun and its revolutionary carriage. The Wiard was strong, very accurate and used far less powder. Wiard carriages were stronger, better over rough terrain, more compact in shipping and were quickly and easily repaired when damaged. In spite of their outstanding features and combat history, only eleven batteries were purchased for the Union Army.
About sixty of these were produced between 1861 and 1862 at the O'Donnel Foundry, in New York City. The tube was about 750 pounds and 53 inches long. It had an effective range of 7000 feet when fired at 35 degrees of elevation.
Admission is free, and access to Fort Sill can be done through the visitor's gate. Be sure to have your license, registration and proof of insurance available, because you are almost certain to be asked for. From the gate, you can ask for direction. At you first stop, you can get a map of important sites on the base. Be sure to go to plan additional time to go to the Indian Cemeteries. There you will find the graves of different Indian Tribes, including Geranimo. There are many sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, from the old fort, cemeteries, and aviation related locations. Fort Sill can easily be a place to visit for a couple hours, or for the entire day.