A Superb Original Waterloo Recovered Souvenir '6 Pounder' Royal Artillery Cannon Ball La Haye Sainte, Recovered Around 200 Yards From The Farm

At the Battle of Waterloo, the British Royal Artillery deployed 6-pounder cannons, a relatively light artillery piece that fired a 6-pound (approximately 2.7 kg) solid iron ball. These cannons, introduced in 1793, were crucial for supporting cavalry charges and were easier to maneuver than heavier guns.


Here's a more detailed look:
Purpose:
The 6-pounder was designed to provide lighter, yet still effective, artillery support to the cavalry and infantry.
Ammunition:
They fired various types of ammunition, including round shot (solid iron balls), canister shot (a type of scatter shot), and spherical case shot (a type of shell).
Range:
The effective range of the 6-pounder with round shot was around 800-900 yards (732-823 metres), though it could reach up to 1700 yards (1554 metres).
Impact:
The cannonballs were devastating, capable of inflicting serious injury and damage to both men and horses.
British Deployment:
At Waterloo, the 6-pounders were primarily used by the Royal Horse Artillery and some field artillery units, with variations in the types of 6-pounders used.
Captured at Waterloo:
Some French 6-pounder cannons were also captured by the British as trophies of war.
La Haye Sainte:
The strategic farmhouse of La Haye Sainte was a focal point of fighting, where the 6-pounder was used extensively

NAM Accession Number
NAM. 1999-05-8-1

Code: 25836