9-Pounder MLR Field Gun and Limber
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Museum
Regina, Saskatchewan

The 9-Pounder Muzzle Loaded Rifled Field Gun was the first gun used by the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery in action. "A" Battery employed this type of gun at at the battles of Fish Creek and Batoche during the Riel Rebellion. The 9-Pounder arrived in 1873 and within the decade, it was being used extensively throughout the Regiment.

In February 1874, North West Mounted Police Commissioner George French travelled from Lower Fort Garry to Ontario to meet with the Governor General, Lord Dufferin. Responding immediately to French's concerns about the possible outbreak of armed conflict at Fort Whoop-Up, Lord Dufferin cabled England for two 16 pound mortars and two nine-pounder field guns. These guns would be manned by members of the North West Mounted Police.

General Characteristics

Weight of projectile: 9 pounds
Type of projectile: Solid, Case shot and Shrapnel
Gun weight: 700 pounds
Detachment size : eight

The Gun Limber was used to store the basic load for the Nine Pounder. It consisted of
24 x shrapnel shells
36 x filled cartridges in canvas cartouche
12 x common shells
40 x five-second wood time fuzes
100 x friction tubes
2 x couples, and
1 x lanyard

Please note: The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery is seeking additional enhancements to this article. If you have higher quality photographs or additional historic facts, please do not hesitate to contact us through the Heritage board on our discussion forum.

Text from RCA National Museum and RCMP Museum. Photos by LCol L. Jensen