The cannon's bore is just under 3.5 (86mm) and is rifled on the La Hitte system with 6 broad groves. Originally it would have fired a 4kg studded iron shell up to 2000m. The plaque is incorrect in its reference to Armstrong rifling, (Armstrong rifling is similar to the La Hitte system) and being cast in Austria, (The cannon was cast in Strasbourg). Interestingly for a service field piece, the cannon seems to be completely devoid of any stamps or markings. It is a well established fact, that many of the weapons supplied to the Confederacy during the Civil War were similarly unmarked in an effort to disguise their origins.
The Civil War Guru has a very informative review of a mle 1859 on You Tube. A pair of these guns recaptured at Omdurman, guard the entrance to the Rifles museum in Winchester. The cannon is in very fine collectors condition and would make an excellent centre piece for a collection or an impressive decorative display item. Genuine period ordnance field pieces such as this, are rarely offered for sale and usually only reside in advanced private collections or museums. First persons buyers only please, no agents or third parties.
Can be arranged at reasonable charges, please contact me to discuss options. The item "Confederate antique Civil War bronze cannon" is in sale since Tuesday, May 16, 2017. This item is in the category "Antiques\Antiquities\British".The seller is "flyerbx" and is located in Milton Keynes. This item can be shipped worldwide.