Double - barreled cannon The double - barreled cannon is an American Civil War - era experimental weapon and is now a modern landmark located in Athens , Georgia . While originally built for warfare , the cannon never saw battle . History . Concept . In 1862 John Gilleland , dentist , builder and mechanic , designed the double - barreled cannon . It was cast in Athens , Georgia , for a cost of $ 350 . The two barrels have a divergence of 3 degrees , and the cannon was designed to shoot simultaneously two cannonballs connected with a chain to " mow down the enemy somewhat as a scythe cuts wheat " . Execution . Gilleland ' s invention was a failure . First tested on 22 April 1862 , and aimed at a target of two upright poles , uneven combustion of the powder and casting imperfections in the barrels gave the connected balls a spinning movement in an off - center direction , with witnesses reporting that on its first firing it " plowed up about an acre of ground , tore up a cornfield , mowed down saplings , and then the chain broke , the two balls going in different directions . " On its second firing the chain shot across the horizon and into a thicket of pine . " [ The ] thicket of young pines at which it was aimed looked as if a narrow cyclone or a giant mowing machine had passed through " , reported another witness . On its third firing the chain snapped immediately and one ball tore into a nearby cabin , knocking down its chimney , the other spun off erratically and struck a nearby cow , killing it instantly . Gilleland considered the test - firings a success . Civil War use . Gilleland tried to promote his invention to the Confederate States Army ' s arsenal in Augusta , Georgia , where it was found unfit for its purpose . He continued to try to promote his invention to other military leaders around Augusta , but failed to interest anyone . Finally his contraption was used as a signal gun in Athens to warn against advancing Yankees . On 27 July 1864 , the cannon was fired after a report was heard of several thousand Union soldiers approaching Monroe , Georgia . However , this report turned out to be false . The cannon disappeared in 1891 and was found again ten years later under a rock pile by a boy looking for lizards . The cannon was most likely intentionally buried , although this cannot be substantiated , it is certain that a natural earth formation did not aid in its concealment . Modern use . Currently , the cannon is on display on the front lawn of the City Hall of Athens , Georgia . A local landmark and public curiosity , the cannon is one of the most popular and well - known attractions in the city . It is still pointing northward in a symbolic gesture of defiance against the North it was built to fight . Other multi - barreled cannons . While the cannon preserved at Athens is the most famous double - barreled cannon , it is not the only one . Another notable example was called Elizabeth - Henry , named after Charles I ' s youngest children . It was used by the Cavaliers during the English Civil War , and fired 2oz charges . It could also fire grapeshot . The barrels were wrapped in leather to prevent rusting . Multi - barreled cannons have also been built in India , and an example with 6 barrels , similar to the ribauldequin s of the Middle Ages , has been preserved in the Nehru Scientific Center . In Poland , cannons with as many as seven barrels were in use in the 16th century . These were similar to the volley gun s and organ battery of the 19th century , but in a larger caliber . In 2012 a slightly modernized version was built , at customer request , by the Gunsmoke gun shop on the reality television series American Guns ( Season 2 , Ep 8 ) . By using a more modern ignition system than Civil War - era the Gunsmoke crew were able to achieve some success in firing the barrels properly .