9-INCH R.M.L. ARMSTRONG-FRASER GUN OF 12 TONS MK III INTRODUCED 1808 TYPICAL OF THE FIRST HEAVY RIFLED MUZZLE LOADING GUNS TO GO INTO GENERAL SERVICE THE PATTERN WAS BASED ON A NEW PRINCIPLE OF CONSTRUCTION FROM WROUGHT IRON SECTIONS, DEVISED BY SIR W. ARMSTRONG AND ADAPTED BY MR FRASER OF THE ROYAL GUN FACTORY. GUNS OF THIS TYPE FORMED THE MAJOR PART OF THE HEAVY ARMAMENT OF THE 1860 ROYAL COMMISSION (PALMERSTON) DEFENCES THIS PIECE IS FROM A BATTERY ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT DEFENDING THE NEEDLES PASSAGE INTO THE SOLENT.

68-PDR. SMOOTH-BORE MUZZLE LOADER GUN OF 96 CWT DATED 1853 MOUNTED ON A STANDING GARRISON CARRIAGE. GUNS OF THIS TYPE FIRED SOLID ROUND-SHOT OR SPHERICAL EXPLOSIVE SHELL; THEY WERE SOME OF THE LARGEST IRON GUNS TO BE CAST AND VIRTUALLY THE LAST OF THE SMOOTH-BORES GUNS OF THIS PATTERN WERE USED IN THE CRIMEAN WAR AND THE SHOT DAMAGE ON THE MUZZLE AND THE CHASE OF THIS PIECE SUGGESTS THAT IT WAS ENGAGED IN THE SEIGE OF SEVASTAPOL