Model 1840, N.P. Ames Foundry, Springfield, Massachusetts.
This type of bronze, smoothbore gun and the more numerous Model 1841 were the standard light field piece of the US Army until the adoption of the iron rifled artillery just prior to the Civil War. Many of these “Napoleon” guns were used by the Confederates and Northern home-guard units.
This gun was assigned to the former Revolutionary War fort today known as the Old Stone Fort Museum during the Civil War. Through the Civil War and until 1873 the structure was used as a militia/National Guard armory.
The cannon is one of only three known surviving Model 1840s of only 27 ever made. It is currently on display on the first floor of the Old Stone Fort Museum.