"Late 17th C artillery colours." Topic
5 Posts
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| The Jim Jones Cocktail Hour | 28 Apr 2009 9:40 p.m. PST |
Does anyone know what colours artillery pieces were painted in the British, Dutch and Spanish armies in the 1670s and 1680s? I know the French guns were meant to be read (or blue depending on who you believe) |
| Ilodic | 30 Apr 2009 1:59 p.m. PST |
During the ECW and TYW there was no standardization of artillery, and colour was no exception. During that time it was common to see pieces painted with common oxide pigments, i.e. red and yellow mostly. In addition, for ultimate protection, tar would have been applied to repell water (I know, tar is highly flamable, but it was used.) During the mid 18th. century colours became more standardized. With regards to the 1670's-80's, those trasitional years in arms and tactics, it would be my guess red was used for the Spanish for two reasons…red oxide paint was most common, and being predominately a Catholic state, bright colours, such as red, were used. I will do some research to see if I can find anything definative, and I certain someone will correct me if I am wrong, but this is probably a good guess. ilodic. |
| IR1Lothringen | 30 Apr 2009 2:05 p.m. PST |
Cannot add anything myself but here is a previous link that may be useful TMP link IR1 |
| Major William Martin RM | 01 May 2009 8:45 a.m. PST |
That I know of (and I can always be proven wrong), the first "official" Royal Order for painting French gun carriages a particular color came about in 1732 as a result of the reforms of Florent-Jean de Vallière, who became Director-General of the Battalions and Schools of Artillery in 1726. His system, in addition to standardizing the manufacture and caliber of barrel tubes, called for French carriages to be painted red. His work was carried on by his Son, who succeeded him, and then was superceded by the Gribeauval system in the 18th century (Gribeauval was actually Vallières assistant and Inspector General of the Artillery from 1763). Prior to Vallières, most carriages, in every Western army, were painted with oxided finishes to make them weather-proof, and often smeared with tar as a preservative. You could start with darker reds, yellows, browns, greens, etc., then wash or shade heavily. Bill |
| Perkunos | 02 May 2009 10:25 a.m. PST |
Best source for the British Army of this period is Col Walton's History of the British Standing Army – long out of print but still available -excellent |
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