A small raised sloping concrete base carries a plate 1 foot 3 inches wide by with brass inset 2½ inches high x 11 inches long which bears the legend in white paint.

There was bitter opposition to the gun by the influential Quakers in the town. It was not set up until 4 years after its arrival in the town.

In 1941 it was nearly sent for scrap for the war effort.

On March 21st 1861 a performance was given in the new Theatre Royal to raise funds to mount the gun in South Park.

A summary of an article in an unnamed and undated newspaper written by R. Scarr tells the story of the wrangle.

In 1857 a Local Government Board meeting voted - with a majority of one - to ask for two Russian guns to be set up as a war memorial following the end of the Crimean war. One was received. There was debate over where it should be placed and it lay undisturbed for three years in South Park. A letter purporting to be from the gun appeared in the press, in which it complained of its neglect!

A suggestion that a memorial naming the men who fell in the Crimean war came to nothing.

It is thought the gun was finally erected on the terrace overlooking the River Skerne, but was later moved to its present position.

Darlington Telegraph 06/04/1861 page 3
Darlington & Stockton Times 14/01/1860.
Northern Echo 20/01/1991