Source: The Illustrated London News, Jan. 12, 1861, p.35
On Monday a fine piece of ordnance, constructed on a new breech-loading principle by Messrs. Wheatley, Kirk, and Co., engineers, Manchester, was tested on the shore at Crosby. The gun is manufactured of patent puddled iron. It weighs about 9 cwt., and is 7 feet long, with 3-inch bore and 12lb. calibre. The breech combines a variety of important improvements, by which all blowing out of the vent or breech-piece is said to be rendered impossible, and a great rapidty of loading obtained. Several practical persons on the ground spoke highly of the new weapon.