ARTILLERY REGISTER

         
SBML 6 Pounder
Type of Gun: SBML 6 Pounder (Brass)
Location: Army Museum of NSW, Victoria Barracks, Paddington, NSW
GPS Location: 33° 53' 10.32" S - 151° 13' 17.73" E
Serial Number: 4
Date of Manufacture: 1779
Manufacturer: I & P Verbruggen
Calibre: 3.6 inch
Weight of Projectile: 6 lb
Range:  
         
Historical Specifics: In July 1788 Lieutenant William Dawes was directed by Governor Phillip to construct a redoubt near present day Macquarie Place. This was completed in November and a flagstaff and two 6 pounder brass cannons from HMS Sirius emplaced. A flag was hoisted here on new years day 1789 and on 4 June the cannons were fired in honour of the Kings Birthday.

The gun stood in front of the entrance way to the Officers mess at Victoria Barracks and has suffered from over frequent polishing and the markings had become faint. This practice ceased years ago and the gun placed indoors at the Army Museum Sydney. It is highly likely that the 6 pounder brass gun at Victoria Barracks is one of the guns emplaced at the redoubt in 1788 and hence is of very high significance to the history of European settlement of Australia.

The first recording of brass SBML 6 pounder guns appears in 1788 when two were emplaced in a redoubt near present day Macquarie Place, Sydney. By 1801 there are four 6 pounder brass field piece guns recorded. Two at Barrack Parade and one each at Sydney Guard House and Parramatta.

Several guns of various weight and length were produced. A ‘brass’ 6 pounder gun, designed by William Belford, was introduced in the 1770’s was a light piece of 5 ft, weighing about 5½cwt.

         
General Information on Gun Type:  
         
Additional Photos:
Markings

SBML 6 Pounder
Right Trunnion
No 4 J

SBML 6 Pounder
Breech
Weight 5 - 0 - 21

SBML 6 Pounder
Breech
I&P Verbruggen Fecerunt
Ao 1779

     

SBML 6 Pounder
Chase
Cypher of Marquis Townsend
Master General of Ordnance

SBML 6 Pounder
First Re-inforce
Cypher King George III

         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
 

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