M1841 24 pound Siege & Garrison Mortar "Coehorn" - Field Artillery Museum - Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Posted by: gparkes
N 34° 39.943 W 098° 23.111
14S E 556330 N 3836145
The Field Artiallery Museum located at Fort Sill in Oklahoma has a lot of very interesting items just waiting to be discovered by you.
Waymark Code: WM9DXB
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 08/07/2010
Views: 7
An information card near this cannon reads:
M1841 24-lb. Siege & Garrison Mortar "Coehorn"
1864
These small mortars were used for shelling enemy fortifications and entrenchments at clse range. Weighing less than 300 lbs. with its base, the Coehorn mortar could be moved short distances by two men. It fired a 24-lb. explosive shell 1,200 yards. With a fixed elevation of 45 degrees, the range could be adjusted by varying the powder charge. Coehorns saw most of their use during the Siege of Petersburg during the winter of 1864-1865. This mortar was made by Ames Manufacturing Co. in 1864.
This mortar is Serial Number 155 and 158 pounds. It was manufactured by the Ames Manufacutring Company as identified by the A.M.Co. The inspector is identified by the initials R.M.H.
Admission is free, and access to Fort Sill can be done through the visitor's gate. Be sure to have your license, registration and proof of insurance available, because you are almost certain to be asked for. From the gate, you can ask for direction. At you first stop, you can get a map of important sites on the base. Be sure to go to plan additional time to go to the Indian Cemeteries. There you will find the graves of different Indian Tribes, including Geranimo. There are many sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, from the old fort, cemeteries, and aviation related locations. Fort Sill can easily be a place to visit for a couple hours, or for the entire day.