30-Pounder Parrot Rifle - Fort Macon State Park, NC - Static Artillery Displays on Waymarking.com

The Parrott rifled cannon was invented by Captain Robert Parker Parrott, a West Point graduate in 1860 and patented in 1861. He resigned from the service in 1836 and became the superintendent of the West Point Foundry in Cold Spring, New York.

Parrotts were manufactured with a combination of cast and wrought iron. The cast iron made for an accurate gun, but was brittle enough to suffer fractures. Hence, a large wrought iron reinforcing band was overlaid on the breech to give it additional strength. The wrought iron band gives the gun tube its distinctive shape. Parrott's method of securing this band was the innovation that allowed the Parrott rifle to overcome the deficiencies of similar earlier models. It was applied to the gun red-hot and then the gun was turned while pouring water down the muzzle, allowing the band to attach uniformly.

Parrott rifles were manufactured in different sizes, from 10-pounders up to the rare 300-pounder. In the field, the 10- and 20-pounders were used by both armies. A Union battery of three 30-pounder Parrott rifles was used during the siege of Fort Macon in April 1862. Naval versions of the 20-, 30-, 60-, and 100-pound Parrotts were also used by the Union navy.

The Parrott on display is a replica. The reinforcing band on this tube was cast with the barrel. This can be seen in the mold marks, "parting line" to an old foundryman.

Where is this artillery located?: Monument grounds What military of the world used this device?: US, CSA Artillery is no longer operational: no Still may work: no Are there any geocaches at this location?: a virtual What type of artillery is this?: Not listed Date artillery was in use: Not listed Date artillery was placed on display: Not listed Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed Cost?: Not Listed

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