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Model 1861 6-Pounder Wiard Rifle

History of the Model 1861 6 Pound Wiard Rifle

The name "Wiard Rifle" was a universal identifier for any field artillery developed by American inventor Norman Ward during the American Civil War (1861-1864). The inventor detailed at least two well-known gun types during the war, the 6-pound and 12-poundboth calibers popular at the time.

The former, the focus of this article, was known for its excellent range (up to 7,000 yards when lifted due to its unique carriage design), while construction using steel was a rarity at the time.

With a barrel length of 53 inches, it was probably a smoothbore gun from the start and was rifled in post-production, which is common with other smoothbore gun types during conflicts. The building consists of "puddles" of wrought iron. At the specified range, the gun fired a 6-pound Hotchkiss shell powered by a 0.75-pound powder charge.

The frame components are largely conventional in appearance, with spoked wheels that allow the gun to be fully rotated in the intended firing direction, with elevation angles of up to 35 degrees - allowing for a degree of indirect line-of-sight (LoS) firepower. It is effective at shorter ranges if the weapon system fails.

No more than 60 guns served during the Civil War and were ordered in 1861. At least three joint batteries commanded by Major General Daniel Sickles were associated with the gun. The force is believed to have adopted 6-pdr and 12-pdr.

Notably, Sickles and Wiard developed a friendship during this time, which may have been the reason for the purchase.

In any case, Wiard rifles were not widely used during the war, and appear to have been scrapped shortly after the end of hostilities.