Hughes Gun

By Crusader1307

As The Confederacy (during The American Civil War), slowly began to rely on captured weapons to continue it's fight for independence (due to The Union Naval blockade of it's coasts), many innovative designers began to experiment with effective weapons The South could make and rely on. Such was The Hughes Gun. Unusual in that The Hughes was capable of firing a 10-pound shell without the need of a lanyard or firing pin chambered device. The weapon was further much lighter than a standard artillery piece (requiring only two men to move). The gun was a breech loading type. The shell was placed in the breech with the rear being screwed and locked in place (an plus for speed). By pulling back on a spring loaded plunging lever (and releasing), the powder would ignite via an internal spark. The Hughes was a very fast loading and firing weapon. They had effective ranges up to 1,100 yards. Several captured Hughes saw limited service in The Union Army as well. Favored by some Confederate cavalry (who could travel fast with the light weapons), they never really caught on (due to the shell size and limited damage they could cause). Several surviving barrels have been mounted on reproduction carriages and can be viewed throughout the US.