Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

Model 1853 12-Pounder Napoleon

Model 1853 12 Pound Napoleonic History

The French Army was successful throughout the life cycle of the revolutionary 12-pounder Model 1853 "Napoleon" field gun (previously known as "Canon Obusier de 12"). The gun has a caliber of approximately 117 mm (4.62 in) (usually rounded to 120 mm) and fires a 4.1 kg projectile (ball, cannonball or can/grape) at a muzzle velocity of 1,440 feet per second.

The 1,440-yard gun system proved versatile enough to fight concentrated enemy forces and fortifications at long distances, and its ability to accommodate different types of ammunition immediately made it the best gun in the world. The weapon was also locally produced by the U.S.

Army as the "1857 Napoleon 12-pounder" (described in detail elsewhere on this page), just in time for its widespread use in the American Civil War (used by thousands on both sides of the conflict). Both guns are named in honor of the French President/Emperor Napoleon III, the nephew of a famous French army general/Emperor Napoleon I

The design of the Model 1853 is traditional, with the bronze barrel mounted on a sturdy stand that rides on two multi-spoke wheels. The weapon can be transported using a "limb" attached to the rear support arm, making the system a four-wheeled cart. In this way, the gun could be quickly moved by the horse to another front. In addition, the weapon can be precisely positioned or moved short distances by the operator in a conventional manner. Ammunition is limited by the supply of ammunition carts.

A crew of seven is required to handle the successful and efficient firing of the weapon, which includes aiming for range and elevation, preparing each charge and projectile, preparing to fire, and impact/barrel wiping. As a "smoothbore" weapon (as opposed to a rifle), the cannon was loaded from the muzzle end. The physical characteristic of the Model 1853 gun is that the muzzle is "expanded".

A well-trained and experienced crew can fire three to four rounds per minute. With no built-in recoil mechanism, the cannon was thrown backwards after firing, forcing the rifle group to reposition and re-target the gun before the next shot.

Overall, the weapon system weighs 2,350 pounds and has a barrel length of 1.9 meters.

The 1853 model replaced all available French models after service and was used in fury during the Crimean War (1853-1856). As a collective battery, salvos can destroy enemy formations and even smaller fortifications, allowing them to be used as makeshift siege weapons. A solid shot has the terrifying ability to decapitate a person or split limbs with sheer speed. Additionally, the shells bounced multiple times after hitting the ground, causing more carnage - especially against advancing infantry groups. However, the era of the smoothbore as the main gun was coming to an end, as "rifled" barrels became the standard for decades to come.

The rifle offered a slower rate of fire but greatly improved accuracy and range.

The "12" in the official name "Canon Obusier de 12" stands for caliber 12 cm (12 cm = 120 mm).