Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
10-Pounder Parrott Rifle
This cast iron rifle with its band of wrought iron reinforcing the breech was a modern weapon of the day. It was effective at moderately long range. The 20-pounder, similar except for size, was the heaviest rifled cannon used at Antietam.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 39° 28.492′ N, 77° 44.734′ W. Marker is in Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Dunker Church Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located on the Antietam Battlefield, near the Dunker Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sharpsburg MD 21782, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 3-Inch Ordnance Rifle (here, next to this marker); Lee’s Artillery Battalion (here, next to this marker); Model 1857 12-Pounder Gun-Howitzer (here, next to this marker); Model 1841 6-Pounder Gun (a few steps from this marker); A Converging Storm of Iron (a few steps from this marker); “Load” “Commence Firing” (a few steps from this marker); “I Hate Cannons” (a few steps from this marker); A Savage Continual Thunder (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sharpsburg.
Also see . . .
1. Parrott rifle. The gun was invented by Captain Robert Parker Parrott, a West Point graduate. He resigned from the service in 1836 and became the superintendent of the West Point Foundry in Cold Spring, New York. He created the first Parrott Rifle (and corresponding projectile) in 1860 and patented it in 1861. (Submitted on October 15, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Antietam National Battlefield. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on October 16, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 573 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 18, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on October 15, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 4, 5. submitted on August 18, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on October 15, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.