Encyclopedia · Cannon and weapon systems

Blakely rifle

The Blakely rifle was a British rifled gun designed by Captain Blakely, imported by the Confederacy in a range of calibers from field pieces to very heavy guns.

Also known as: Blakely gun.

TypeBritish rifled gun
DesignerCaptain Alexander Blakely
CalibersFrom 2.5-inch field guns to a 12.75-inch gun at Charleston
UseConfederate service

The imported Blakely

The Blakely rifle was the rifled gun designed by the British Captain Alexander Blakely and built for him by outside firms, since he had no works of his own. The Confederacy imported Blakelys in a wide range of sizes, from small field pieces of 2.5-inch caliber up to a great 12.75-inch gun mounted at Charleston.

Blakely guns served the Southern armies and coastal defenses, firing the Blakely projectile, and the two 4.5-inch Blakelys used at Fort Pulaski are among the recorded examples.

On this site

Sources & further reading

← Back to the Encyclopedia