8-pounder long gun

8-pounder long gun
An 8-pounder long gun made in Sevilla in 1754
Typenaval gun
Service history
Used byFrance, Spain, Great Britain, Holland, Sweden, United States
Specifications
Mass1120 kg
215 kg (mount)
Barrel lengthapprox. 2 metres

Shell weight3.6 kg

The 8-pounder long gun was a light calibre piece of artillery mounted on French warships of the Age of Sail. It fired a projectile of eight livres in weight, equivalent to 8.633 English pounds, or 8 lb 10 oz (the French livre was 7.916% heavier than the English pound weight). They were used as chase guns or main guns on light ships of the early 19th century, and on the quarterdeck and forecastle of ships of the line. They were similar in design to the Canon de 8 Gribeauval.