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Sullivan's Island in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

7-Inch Brooke Rifle, Triple Banded

 
 
7-Inch Brooke Rifle, Triple Banded Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
1. 7-Inch Brooke Rifle, Triple Banded Marker
Historians have presented contrary evidence that indicates this gun was produced by Tredegar Foundry in Richmond, instead of the Selma factory. The photo on the marker shows the 7-inch Brooke in service at Battery Marion on Sullivan's Island.
Inscription. This quality product from the Confederate Naval Ordnance Works in Selma, Alabama was popular with Confederate artillerymen. Its long range, combined with heavy, accurate projectiles was particularly effective against Federal ironclads and siege batteries.

Maximum Range: 7920 yards (7242 M)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
 
Location. 32° 45.532′ N, 79° 51.397′ W. Marker is on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is on Poe Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located in the cannon walk, stop eight, on the tour of Fort Moultrie. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sullivans Island SC 29482, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston and in the Lowcountry. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 8-inch Parrott (200 Pounder) (here, next to this marker); 10-Inch Columbiad, Rifled and Banded (here, next to this marker); 10-Inch Parrott (300 pounder) (a few steps from this marker); 10-Inch Columbiad (Rodman) (a few steps from this marker); Buoyant Mine (a few steps from this marker); 10-Inch Confederate Columbiad (a few steps from this marker); This is Sullivan's Island (within shouting distance of this marker); 13-Inch Seacoast Mortar (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sullivan's Island.
 
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7-Inch Brooke Rifle and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
2. 7-Inch Brooke Rifle and Marker
From this perspective, the "jaws" on the breech stand out. A metal strap ran across the breech through the jaws and connected to a hoop. Trunnions on the hoop supported the gun on the carriage, as seen on the photograph from the marker.
7-Inch Brooke Rifle image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
3. 7-Inch Brooke Rifle
Markings on the breech indicate a weight of 21,290 pounds. That weight corresponds to a weapon produced by Tredegar Foundry in 1862.
Three Bands image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 3, 2010
4. Three Bands
Looking at the breech of the rifle at all three layers of banding. These bands reinforced the breech and allowed higher powered shots from the rifled gun. Originally intended for use in ironclad gunboats, the 7-inch Brookes were mounted instead in shore batteries to fend off Federal ironclads.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,591 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
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Jun. 8, 2026