I know about trying to find an M-1841 12 pounder. I think I have seen two or three in my life and they have all been in monuments, and the reproduction ones would break our budget and probably the floor. We have two sixes we use for living history programs and that is why I was thinking of getting 12 pounder just to show the difference. True there is a Napoleon just outside the front door and everybody walks by it to come inside, but it is not shinny, rest on an aluminum carriage and there is no text on it. This new gun’s carriage will look like it has been on the road a while. It will be muddy, have all its implements in used condition and will hopefully give visitors a better understanding of what it was like to travel the roads here in 1862. The muzzle will be facing the front door and you’ll see it as soon as you walk in and it won’t be hands off, either. True there will be a barrier to keep you from getting on it but the muzzle will be in reach and we expect to be polishing it on a daily basis to keep the fingerprints off.

Since the 12-pounder howitzer and six pounder use the same carriage, we might get a 12 howitzer and swap that barrel and text out every now and then to keep things interesting. Who knows at this point and we are still a ways out from deciding.

I will keep you informed.

Steve