Issue 3: March 2011

Welcome to the third pre-print issue of the Smoothbore Ordnance Journal published by Ken Trotman Ltd in association with the Napoleon-Series.

The importance of the technical subjects of ordnance, science and engineering has been shown over the years by discussion on the Napoleon Series Forum and elsewhere. It is hoped that the journal will make such discussion more informed and productive. Contributions of translations and academic papers are welcomed on subjects connected to artillery or military engineering from the Thirty Years War to the Franco-Prussian War

Dr. Stephen Summerfield, editor (Aug 2010) Smoothbore Ordnance Journal, Issue 1, Ken Trotman Publishing. [ISBN 978-1-907417-13-9] 120 pages and 6 colour plates. www.kentrotman.com
Dr. Stephen Summerfield, editor (Dec 2010) Smoothbore Ordnance Journal, Issue 2, Ken Trotman Publishing. [ISBN 978-1-907417-14-6] 104 pages and 6 colour plates. www.kentrotman.com
Dr. Stephen Summerfield, editor (Mar 2011) Smoothbore Ordnance Journal, Issue 3, Ken Trotman Publishing. [ISBN -----] 113 pages and 6 colour plates www.kentrotman.com

This issue has two main themes.

Theme One: Austrian Artillery

·        Digby Smith explains in his introduction to his translation of Dolleczek (1887) the innovations since the 15th century to the mid 19th century when the Liechtenstein System was finally abandoned after a century. The translation is split into 6 parts.

·        The Liechtenstein system kept up with the innovations including reducing windage, the reduction in decorations and the introduction of shell guns [long barrelled howitzers]. These are illustrated by photographs of extent gun barrels and carriages by Dr Stephen Summerfield.

Theme Two: Saxon Artillery

·        Dr Martin Klöffler explores Saxon fortress ordnance in the context of the Prussian siege of Torgau in 1813. [Translated by Digby Smith]

·        Gerard Cronin and Dr Stephen Summerfield discusses the Saxon M1810 ordnance, uniforms and at Gross Beeren (23 August 1813).

Theme Three: British Artillery in the Peninsular

·       Anthony Dawson explores the use and equipment of British Mountain Artillery in the Peninsular War.

·       Sir Alexander Dickson RA wrote in 1823 “Answer to Questions on the Royal Artillery in 1823” that is reprinted in full with additional notes by Dr Stephen Summerfield.

·       Seven reports and memorandums from Volume 1 of the Minutes of Proceedings of the Royal Artillery Institute on the organisation and equipment of the Royal Artillery.

Dr Stephen Summerfield
Editor
2 February 2011

Section 1: Dolleczek - Austrian 15th to 19th Century Artillery
Translated by Digby Smith (Mar 2011)

Issue 3 (01): “Period I: Dolleczek – 15th to Early 16th Century Artillery Material”

Issue 3 (02): “Period II: Artillery of Emperor Maximilian I to the 30 Years War”

Issue 3 (03) “Period III: Dolleczek – 30 Years War to Liechtenstein”

Issue 3 (04) “The Influence of the French School on Siege Warfare in Austria”

Issue 3 (05) “Dolleczek (1887) on Fürst Liechtenstein’s New Artillery System”

Issue 3 (06) “Dolleczek (1887) on the Reorganization of the Austrian Artillery in 1772”

Anton Dolleczek, (1887)
Geschichte der Österreichischen Artillerie von den frühesten Zeiten bis zur Gegenwart,

Section 2: Austrian Artillery
Dr. Stephen Summerfield (Mar 2011)

Issue 3 (07) “Evolution of Austrian Field Ordnance (1753-1853)”

Issue 3 (08) “Austrian Garrison and Siege Guns (1753-1853)”

Issue 3 (09) “Austrian Mortars (1753-1853)”

Section 3: Saxon Fortress and Foot Artillery
Dr. Martin Klöffler [translated by Digby Smith]

Issue 3(10) “Saxon Siege and Defensive Artillery 1810-1814”
Dr. Stephen Summerfield (Mar 2011)

Issue 3(11) “Saxon Foot Field Ordnance 1810-15”

Issue 3(12) “Saxon Foot Artillery Uniforms (1810-15)”

Issue 3(13) “Saxon Artillery at Gross Beeren (23 August 1813)”

Section 4: British Artillery in the Peninsular

Anthony L. Dawson (Mar 2011)
Issue 3(14) “British Mountain Artillery (1809-14)”

Dr. Stephen Summerfield (Mar 2011)
Issue 3(15) “Sir Alexander Dickson’s Answer to Questions on the Royal Artillery in 1823”

Issue 3(16) “British Naval Gun Locks”

ADDITIONAL CONTEMPORARY PAPERS

J.H. Lefroy (1819)
“NOTES on the Establishments of the British Field Artillery since 1815, with the Report of the Committee of Revisions of 1819,”
Minutes of Proceedings of the Royal Artillery Institution, Volume 1, pp164-175

William Millar (1820)
“Equipments of the Royal Artillery,”
Minutes of Proceedings of the Royal Artillery Institution, Volume 1, pp176-190

Anon (Feb 1807)
“Establishment of Royal Artillery,”
Minutes of Proceedings of the Royal Artillery Institution, Volume 1, pp252-156

William Millar (1821)  
“Equipments of the Royal Artillery,”
Minutes of Proceedings of the Royal Artillery Institution, Volume 1, pp191-225

William Millar (1820)
“Royal Artillery Siege Train,”
Minutes of Proceedings of the Royal Artillery Institution, Volume 1, pp191-225

Anon (1825)
“Memorandum for Artillerymen for the Siege of a Fortress,”
Minutes of Proceedings of the Royal Artillery Institution, Volume 1, pp191-225

Sir Augustus Frazer (Dec 1826)
“Memorandum on the Embarkation of Ordnance Equipment, prepared in reference to the expedition to Portugal,”
Minutes of Proceedings of the Royal Artillery Institution, Volume 1, pp257-260

Section 5: Reviews

No reviews submitted for this issue.

Section 6: Dispatches

This is a readers’ section offering correspondence, inquiries and discussion on Ordnance. The editors of the Smoothbore Ordnance Journal invite queries but please note that we cannot answer questions relating to genealogy. Those interested in such matters are directed to the many websites that specialise in this type of research. Please send your inquiries to the Editor. There are no “Dispatches” for this Issue.

Acknowledgements

The editor wishes to thank Richard Brown of Ken Trotman Ltd, Norman Swales, and NGA Archive for permission to reproduce many of the illustrations. The comments and advice from John Cook, Gerard Cronin of GJM Figurines, Donald Graves, David Hollins, David McCracken, Christian Rogge and Digby Smith have made this a pleasure to put journal together. The support of Robert Burnham of the Napoleon-Series, Patrick Ehresmann, Philip Magrath of the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson, Steven H. Smith, Matthew Switlik and Hans Karl Weiss for the Smoothbore Ordnance Journal from early beginnings has been greatly appreciated.