"Russian barrel colour." Topic

Hi.

What colour were Russian artillery barrels? Were they painted?

Bronze, and "polished like candlesticks" was the description I saw. Where polishing the barrels fell on the priority list in a long campaign is not specified, but I try to make them brighter than the French, who don't seem to have cared, and if I recall correctly, were the ones who observed how brightly polished the Russian barrels were.

I think the general rule is that only iron barrels were painted in this period, which for field armies means mostly US and Sweden. Possible exception would be Austria, where black and gold were the dynastic colors.

Thanks. Got to find a paint for "bronze" now!

For bronze barrels I basecoat with dark brown then highlight with metallic bronze/brass.

A coat of gloss varnish for 'shiny' ones.

These will be toothpicks cut to size!

I am painting MDF semi flats. The barrels are cut as part of the carriage. I cut the barrel off, and glue on a toothpick

brass

Bronze

Russian Artillery Museum website (https://artillery-museum.ru/en/main-exposition/the-history-of-russian-artillery-up-to-the-mid19th-century.html), page 51 of "the history of Russian artillery up to the mid 19th century" says:

"…..General of Artillery Petr Melissino (1726-1796). He distinguished himself as a brave officer, talented scientist, inventor and pedagogue. He made a significant contribution to improving the technology of powder production. In 1793, the Russian artillery adopted a new alloy of artillery bronze worked out by Melissino that was used until the mid 19th century. From 1783, P. I. Melissino was the Director of the Artillery and Engineers Noblr Military School (Cadet Corps). He headed the school upto 1796 and this was considered to be a wonderful period in the history of the corps. In 1795, P. I. Melissino was charged with forming the first regular horse-artillery companies."

You can always look at my book on Russian Napoleonic Artillery published in 2022.

155pp., 4to, 105 scale plans, 636 colour illus. incl.435 drawings, 120 photos., 64 of models, 17 paintings, 10 orders of battle, 69 tables. 2022. The evolution of Russian Artillery is explored in great depth using the wonderful scale plans of Norman Swales. The artillery of Tsarina Catherine II was a mainly a collection of pieces left over from the Seven Years War. Tsar Paul I introduced much needed reform with a new artillery system that under his son, Tsar Alexander I became the excellent M1805 Arakcheev system. This invaluable reference for the historian, model maker and restorer of ordnance of this period.

Fron Ken Trotman
link

Berlin Zinnfigurinen
link

On Military Matters in US.

No the barrel of Bronze guns were not painted. Contemporary sources often refer to them as brass. This is simply the modern definition of the alloy.
Stephen