The weapon had a design similar to that of a revolver pistol, scaled up to the size of a cannon.

After its capture, the cannon was sent to the Ordnance Laboratory, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.

The design was similar to that of a revolving pistol of the time, consisting of a cylinder which contained the rounds to be fired, with the rotation of the cylinder being used to bring a round into position at the breech of a single barrel.

The cannon employed a screw mechanism which pushed the cylinder forward when it was in position.

A spring-loaded cog would slip into recesses in the cylinder, holding it in the correct position for firing.