A total of just 63 Model 1841 "Heavy" 12-Pounder Field Guns were purchased by the government prior to and during the Civil War, and only 28 are known today per Civil War Talk's profile of this model. Of these, Ames produced 48 in 1841-1855 for the U.S. government along with others for state contracts. Artilleryman Magazine indicates that the Union only had 165 pieces of field artillery, so these guns made up a significant portion of the Union's initial field artillery. Given the limited number produced, that some were undoubtedly destroyed during the Civil War and after, and the fact that many pieces of 19th century artillery remain government property, very few of these are in private hands, and they are difficult to acquire. They are historically significant pieces for any American artillery collectors. 12-pounder field guns were among the most widely used artillery in the antebellum era and at the beginning of the Civil War. Though technically made obsolete by advances in artillery, they were used by both the Union and Confederacy long into the war. They were used to support infantry and cavalry on the battlefield and offered more fire power than the smaller 6-pounders. This example's muzzle is marked "45" and "BH" above and below the smooth bore respectively, and the trunnions are marked "AMES CO./FOUNDERS/CHICOPEE/MASS." and "1854." The top of the tube has "US" ahead of handles. It is marked as weighing 1767 pounds. The bore measures approximately 4.62 inches in diameter and 74 inches in length. The carriage is from Paulson Bros. Ordnance Corp.

Fine overall, with an attractive deep aged patina on the tube, front sight absent, nearly all of the paint remaining on the professionally built carriage, some oxidation on the rims, and general mild overall wear.