Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

4.2-in. (30-lb.) Parrott Rifle

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 9, 2012

1. 4.2-in. (30-lb.) Parrott Rifle Marker

Inscription.
Robert Parker Parrott, a West Point graduate, invented the first Parrott Rifle at the West Point Foundry in 1860. Parrott Rifles were manufactured with a new method for strengthening the cast iron gun with a band of wrought iron at the breech. The design of reinforcing bands was not a new idea, but the method of welding this band was the innovation that allowed the Parrott to overcome the deficiencies of earlier models. Parrott's method was to form a band of iron around a mandrel, hammering it until it was welded into one piece, then forcing it onto the breach while it was still hot and the tube was being water cooled on the inside. This method allowed the band to be more uniform and reduce the possibility of stress factures at the breech. Parrott rifles were made in 10- and 20-pounder field pieces, 30-pounder siege guns and 100-, 200- and 300-pounder seacoast and Navy guns. Several hundred Parrott gun tubes remain in existence today. Tubes made by Parrott's foundry are identifiable by the letters WPF (West Point Foundry), along with the initials RPP for Robert P. Parrott.

MODEL 4.2-in (30-lb) Army Parrott • LENGTH 126

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in • WEIGHT 4,200 lb
MUNITION 29 lb shell • MAX RANGE AT ELEV. 6,700 yd at 25 degrees • CREW 9

Erected by Fort Leavenworth Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 39° 20.963′ N, 94° 54.907′ W. Marker is in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in Leavenworth County. It is on Gibbon Avenue north of Reynolds Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker and rifle are on the Frontier Army Museum grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Reynolds Avenue, Fort Leavenworth KS 66027, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Greater Kansas City.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At

4.2-in. (30-lb.) Parrott Rifle and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 9, 2012

2. 4.2-in. (30-lb.) Parrott Rifle and Marker

At the Frontier Army Museum

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Sully (a few steps from this marker); Fort Leavenworth (within shouting distance of this marker); D-Day Commemorative Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Leavenworth: "Queen of the Frontier Posts" (within shouting distance of this marker); "Horsemanship Training" (within shouting distance of this marker); Major General James Franklin Bell (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sherman Hall (about 800 feet away); French Aid During American Revolution (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Leavenworth.

More about this marker. This is an active US Army post. Proper identification is required for entry.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 122 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.