Central Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Model 1861 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle

The Red River Journey

Photographed By Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021

1. Model 1861 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle Marker

Inscription. An important Civil War innovation, the 3-inch ordnance rifle was produced from a complex build-up of wrought iron, roll welded and bored to create, at 816 pounds, a relatively light artillery piece, deadly accelerate to 1,850 yards or one mile and ninety yards. The Phoenix Iron Company in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania manufactured this particular one in 1863. It is one of three such guns with "N.J." stamped on top of the barrel rather than "U.S." The Phoenix Iron Company produced and sold these guns to the state of New Jersey.

The cannon eventually resided in the backyard of Frank Stuart, Pawnee Bill's longtime friend and publicist. Upon his death in 1930 Stuart willed the Ordnance Rifle to the Oklahoma Historical Society. It was last fired in 1973 as a demonstration.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 35° 29.639′ N, 97° 29.833′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Central Oklahoma City. Marker can be reached from Nazih Zuhdi Drive west of North Laird Avenue, on the left when traveling west. On the grounds of the Oklahoma History Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City OK 73105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker.

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Huey Helicopter (a few steps from this marker); Huey Helicopters: Workhorses of the War in Vietnam (a few steps from this marker); Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); "Any Army aviator or crew member..." (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Raft (within shouting distance of this marker); Jones Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); Choctaw Nation (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Towson (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

Also see . . .
1. Pawnee Bill on Wikipedia. Pawnee Bill (real name: Gordon Lillie; 1860-1942), who is mentioned on the marker was a popular entertainer in Wild West shows. He would later team up with William "Buffalo Bill" Cody. His ranch in Pawnee, Oklahoma still exists and is usually available for tours. (Submitted on May 5, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

2. Oklahoma History Center. Oklahoma Historical Society. (Submitted on May 6, 2021.)

Additional keywords. weapon

Photographed By Jason Voigt, April 9, 2021

2. Model 1861 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 5, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.