12-pounder long gun

12-pounder long gun
Reproduction of a 12-pounder long gun aboard Hermione (only partially rigged).
Type	naval gun
Service history
Used by	France, Spain, Great Britain, Holland, Sweden, United States
Specifications
Mass	1,470 kg 275 kg (mount)
Barrel length	2.430 metres
Shell weight	5.8 kg
Calibre	120.7 mm[1]

The 12-pounder long gun was an intermediary calibre piece of artillery mounted on warships of the Age of Sail. They were used as main guns on the most typical frigates of the early 18th century, on the second deck of fourth-rate ships of the line, and on the upper decks or castles of 80-gun and 120-gun ships of the line. Naval 12-pounders were similar to 12-pound Army guns in the Gribeauval system: the canon lourd de 12 Gribeauval, used as a siege weapon, and the canon de 12 Gribeauval, which was considered a heavy field artillery piece.