With that, Model 1861 Parrott Rifles entered a period of extensive operational service and their numbers meant that they would be used by both sides of the conflict. The 10-pounder forms were comparable to the 1857 Napoleons in the field, which proved excellent field guns during the entire conflict in their own right, though Parrott Rifles were rifled for range and lighter in overall weight making them more tactically valuable and relatively easier to manage under fire. Accuracy was strong until about 2,000 or so yards though some effectiveness could still be achieved under 3,000 yards, giving the gunnery crew great length against their enemy. Gun barrels weighed 1,750lbs alone and the 10lb projectile relied on a 2lb charge. Couple these values with the base weight of the carriage and one begins to understand the overall weights involved in maneuvering an artillery piece if this period (even those of comparable design appearing Europe at the time). A full battery of these guns could number multiple Parrott Rifles along with applicable limbers and caissons as well as supporting personnel totaling near 100 or more with cavalry units - a massive commitment of guns, man, beast and supplies.
Still, however, the issue of brittle iron persisted. Guns still shattered under stress though now the shattering occurred at the center of the barrel's length ahead of the breech bands. While not entirely reliable in service, Parrott Rifles were still available in the required numbers and their use persisted nonetheless. Gunnery crews simply dealt with the possibility of exploding barrels with each firing action and lived and died by their temperamental artillery pieces. Parrott Rifles proved multi-faceted in that they could be used along mobile battlefronts or as static fixtures in defense of key facilities. Parrott Rifles were manufactured out of the West Point Arsenal of Cold Spring, New York. Confederate factories managed to copy the type through facilities based in Georgia and appeared under the brand labels of Noble Brothers Foundry and the Macon Arsenal. Confederate versions are differentiated through their use of "Brooke" style rifling (developed by John Mercer Brooke).
10-pounder Parrott Rifles were present at the famous Battle of Gettysburg under issue to the 5th New York Battery. Targets as far out as 2,100 yards were reportedly reached with these guns and this through generally good accuracy. In 1863, Union forces adopted a 3" bore size 10-pounder Parrott Rifle and these versions soon replaced the 2.9" form. These also lost their identifiable muzzle swell form.
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