"Saxon Artillery 1733-1827 Book" Topic

Dear All
This book will be published in December 2009. It covers the ordnance used during the Seven Years War, War of Bavarian Succession, Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars.

Stephen Summerfield (2009) Saxon Artillery 1737-1833, Partizan Press, Nottingham
ISBN: 978-1-85818-598-9
Cost £29.50 GBP from Caliver Books
link

The strong links of Saxony with the Polish crown caused her to become the battleground for the competing powers of Austria, Prussia and Russia for centuries. Efficient artillery was essential but in the 1740s was neglected due to the prohibitive costs of ordnance and maintaining a standing army. This contributed by the annexation of Saxony by Frederick the Great in 1756 and the adsorption of her soldiers into the Prussian Army. The remnants of the Saxon Army fought with distinction with their Austrian and French Allies.

This unhappy experience of the Seven Years War (1756-63) led to the M1766 Hoyer system that was first used in the War of Bavarian Succession (1777-78). The gun carriage and elevating system of the M1766 4-pdr Schnellfeuergeschütz regimental gun probably influenced the design of the Austrian M1780 Wurst guns. The M1766 Granadstück based upon the Russian Unicorn was a long barrelled howitzer that could fire an early form of spherical case [Shrapnel].

The 1809 campaign showed the Saxon Army and its ordnance had to be transformed from that suited for 18th Century to Napoleonic warfare. The main influence on the M1810 gun tubes was the French AnXI with the carriages derived from those of the Saxon M1766 Hoyer System. These excellent guns performed well in 1812 and especially at Gross Beeren (23 August 1813) where they dismounted 9 Prussian guns.

The century of Saxon ordnance development is illustrated with 66x 1:24 scale plans, 64x 1:30 scale plans and 64 details drawn from contemporary sources. These are enhanced by 34 photographs, 38 contemporary plates and 32 uniform plates with 78 separate uniforms shown in colour. In addition there are 3 maps, 34 OOBs and 22 Tables.

Stephen

Having been able to read a preview of the book I would recommend it highly, the illustrations and information are excellent. I do not know the cost of the book but whatever it is it will be money well spent. Stephen has once again surpassed himself.

Wagram

Some additional information such as author publisher, cost and ISBN might be of interest to any tempted by the description of the books contents. And tt does sound very tempting :-)

Thomas,

Unfortunately I do not have this information the book is worth what ever it costs just for the illustrations.

Wagram ?

Dear Thomas
Thank you for pointing out what was missing from the post like the title. My apologees.

In addition for NGA Archive I have produced colour scale plans laser printed upon A4 170g card.

SAXON M1810 1:60 PLANS
Two 1:60 plates of the M1810 Saxon Artillery with the two page information sheet. Price of £10.00 GBP These are exactly reproduced by Calpe Miniatures and were commissioned to accompany the new series of guns produced by them.

Summerfield S. (Oct 2009) "Saxon Ordnance and Vehicles of 1810-15," NGA Ordnance, Volume 1, No. 01.

SAXON M1810 1:24 PLANS
Four 1:24 scale drawings, one uniform plate and a 4-6 page with retail price of £20.00 GBP

Cronin G. and Summerfield S. (Nov 2009) "Saxon Foot Artillery 1810-15," NGA Ordnance, Volume 1, No. 02
Cronin G. and Summerfield S. (Dec 2009) "Saxon Horse Artillery 1810-15," NGA Ordnance, Volume 1, No. 03

As many are aware that I have drawn plans of most European Ordnance. We are going to see how well received these will be before bringing out 1:60 and 1:24 plans for French Gribeauval, French AnXI, Wurtemberg, Bavarian, British, Hessen Kassel/Westphalia etc…

For more details please contect my esteemed collegue Gerard Cronin of GJM Figurines.
gjm.figurines@btinternet.com

Stephen

I'm looking forward to this Stephen.

I'd like to learn more about artillery in the Wars of the League of Augsburg and the War of Spanish Succession. This is before the date range on your book, but I'm wondering whether you include any summary info for the earlier period, or references to other works that would cover this?

Dear Sir
It does cover some of the ordnance and artillery of 1686. Alas I could find very little technical data upon them. I have photographs of the M1680 24-pdr in the book with some information upon them. The form of the guns had not changed but the cascable. These were almost like a handle and reminiscent of the Austrian guns of the period.

The M1686 ordnance was still in use to the 7YW in garrisons. It was replaced in the field by the M1730 system which changed to a conventional cascable. I was unable to find plans of the M1686 guns alas.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Saxon Ordnance 10
- Parts of a gun 12
- Elevating System 16
- Parts of a Carriage 20
- Colour of Ordnance 24
- Firing and Manning the Gun 24
- Moving the Guns without Limbers 29

Chapter 2: Saxon Artillery (1680-1755) 30
- M1686 Saxon Ordnance 33
- M1730 Saxon Ordnance 35
- Saxon Artillery Battalion (1698-1750) 39

Chapter 3: Seven Years War (1756-63) 41
- Saxon Artillery Battalion (1751-56) 43
- In French Service (1757-63) 45

Chapter 4: Reformed Artillery (1766-1806) 48
- Revolutionary Wars (1792-96) 49
- The 1806 Campaign 52
- Saxon Artillery (1766-1806) 65

Chapter 5: French Allies (1806-09) 69
- War of 1807 69
- War of 1809 72
- Saxon Artillery (1806-09) 84

Chapter 6: M1766 Hoyer System 88
- M1766 Heavy Guns 89
- M1766 Light Guns 93
- M1766 4-pdr Schnellfeuergeschütz 99
- M1766 Hoyer Howitzer 109
- M1766 Vehicles 111

Chapter 7: Saxon Artillery (1810-15) 119
- Invasion of Russia (1812) 121
- 1813 Campaign 126
- Joins the Allies (November 1813-1815) 137
- Saxon Artillery (1810-15) 138
- Artillery Train (1810-15) 152

Chapter 8: The New M1810 Ordnance 154
- M1810 12-pdr 158
- M1810 6-pdr 163
- M1810 8-pdr Howitzer 166
- M1810 Rolling Stock 168

Chapter 9: Mortars 175

Chapter 10: Garrison Guns 184

Chapter 11: Engineer Corps 196

Chapter 12: Repairing the Gun 203
- Knots 204

Glossary 207

Weights and Measures 209

References 211

Stephen

Stephen,

I hope you don't mind a rather specific question. A while back I was painting up a unit of 1806 Saxon Artillery. The only contemporary illustration I could find showed the metal work of the barrel and fittings to be bright gold. The same pigment was used to depict other brass elements in the illustration. Did Saxon guns really have brass fittings, or was this meant to represent yellow paint, or quite possibly none of the above? Any ideas?

Thanks for your time,

David

Congratulations Stephen, you are producing a lot of important material at reasonable prices, don't know how you find the time, I'm sure the Saxon artillery will do well, they seem to be a favourite army with a lot of people.

£29.50 GBP seems very reasonable considering the content.

regards

Mark

Dear David
The M1810 ordnance had it seems bronze fittings from inspecting the extent example in Copenhagen. Alas I was not permitted to take a sample and get close enough. The reproduction carriages have steel banding and painted as it is cheaper. The use of bronze was clever as it would act a wood preservative. The woodwork was creosote black.

The M1766 and earlier probably had painted wrought iron fittings. The difficulty as ever finding original carriages. None of the manuals consulted were very helpful upon thus matter.

Stephen

Dear Mark
Thank you for that. I have drawn most a considerable number of the artillery systems in Europe. It would be good to get these seen. Alas writing books take such a long time let alone the language problems dealing with 18th century German.

So for NGA Archive I have produced three papers that are illustrated with 3x 1:60 plates, 5 1:24 plates, 2 1:12 plates and 2 uniform plates. I do not know how well these will sell as to whether I pursue this.

Certainly I am wanting to publish plans of the AnXI system, Gribeauval, British Ordnance, Bavarian etc… These are already drawn to 1:24 scale. It needs time to write a suitable paper to go with them and whether there is a market.

I prefer 1:24 scale as the gun is large enough to see the details. Although 1:60 is excellent for the Large 28mm figure scale.

Stephen

will On Military Matters being carrying it over in the USA? or other retailers/e-tailers?

and when?

Dear Sir
It will be published in December 2009 and as with my other books by Partizan Press will be available from On Military Matters and Zinnfigirinen in Germany. This is likely not to be until after Christmas. Alas the UK has been hit by postal strikes etc…

An extract can be seen at my academic website
link

I hope that answers you question.

Stephen

Stephen,

Thanks for the info on the bronze fittings. It's reassuring to know that I have not been living in a Napoleonic fantasy land.

David

This certainly goes on my 'buy' list. Too bad it doesn't go another 28 years forward though. I've never been able to pin down exactly what pieces the Saxons used in 1866.

Stephen

Thanks for the extra information, based on that I will buy a copy!

TM

Thank-you, yes question answered.

so it seems Saxon gun carriages were "creosote black" in the period post 1810 to 1815 with bright brass fittings? Must have been a lot of brass polishing while in the field.

I'll be buying a copy when Dennis' gets them in at OMM.

Too bad not in time to qualify as a Christmas present!

Dear Rmaker
The M1810 Ordnance were used in the 1859 war as one of these pieces is in the Copenhagen Museum. I might be able to find something upon Saxon later ordnance somewhere. It may still have been a bit early for rifled ordnance for Saxony. It is that annoying transition period.

I am not sure whether it will be with OMM for Christmas. I need to talk to the publisher to know where it is on the list for printers. You could always purchase some of the plates from me at NGA Archive as detailed above if you cannot wait. I am pleased with the colour laser printer and being able to print on 170g card.

Stephen

Stephen

Dear all
An Extract of the book has been posted on the Napoleon Series.

PDF link

Stephen