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The Model
1841 cannon was a lightweight gun used extensively during the Mexican
War. Though fairly mobile at 900 pounds, its softball-sized shot was too
small to do much damage. It was easily outranged, especially once rifled
guns came into use.
An
extensive number of these 6-pounders existed at the outbreak of the
Civil War, and were pressed into service by both sides. When the
advantages of rifled guns that fired elongated projectiles across
greater distances became apparent, the government began to convert older
smoothbores into rifled weapons.
A common
artillery piece that was converted was the Model 1841. Accuracy and
range were greatly improved by re-boring its 3.67” caliber to 3.8” and
rifling it in the "James" fashion to accept the patent projectiles
designed by General Charles T. James. Hence, it became a James rifle.
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