The 12-pounder Napoleon smoothbore was the most popular cannon of the American Civil War and used by both the North and South. Named after Napoleon III of France, it was favored for its safety, reliability, and killing power, especially at close range and has the distinction of being the last cast bronze gun used by an American army.
Union Napoleon
The Federal version of the Napoleon can be recognized by the flared front end of the barrel, called the muzzle swell.
Confederate Napoleon
Southern Napoleons were produced in at least six variations with most featuring straight muzzles, but at least eight of the 133 surviving guns have muzzle swells.
In addition, 125 Confederate Napoleons were cast in iron by Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond.