"Bavarian gun carriages - 1690s/1700s" Topic

What colours were the wood and metalwork of Bavarian artillery carriages in the period from 1690 until Blenheim?

I have had three suggestions (all with black metal):-

1) a very light grey (white lead, similar to the RA/RHA in Napoleonic times);
2) a yellow ochre, reflecting the long-term alliance with the Austrians; and
3) red oxide, which apparently was a common colour among German states.

Anyone know the answer?

The Ingoldstadt based Bavarian Army Museum has a 1-pdr regimental cannon on display which is from the Blenheim period. It is furnished red with black metal fittings.

Cheers,
Christian
crogges7ywarmies.blogspot.de

I do know red was very common on the continent. I think I have read (though I would have to go through my notes at home) Blue was used. Black metal.

Scroll down on this page for contemporary paintings that show Bavarian cannons.

link

Also, Anton Hoffman in "Das Heer des Bllauenkoenig" at p. 61 indicates red for wooden parts and black for fittings in 1695.

Thank you everyone – I think red it shall be (probably a red oxide rather than a scarlet tone) with black fittings, although the vehicles in the paintings seem to be light grey.

[@ dbf1676 – Thank you especially; I was vaguely familiar with that site, but had forgotten about it – as interesting as the artillery paintings were the pics of the horse boat model, as it shows an officer/NCO in reversed colours, which leads me to suspect they are dragoons. There's also a link to the 1/72 figure collection which may reveal more.]

Actually, I have an image of the piece seen at the Bavarian Army Museum:
See my article at
link
and scroll down a bit.

Cheers,
Christian
crogges7ywarmies.blogspot.com

Cheers.

I always thought Bavarian artillery was grey or blue? – the paintings of the Turkenkreig on the links above do not seem to show red?- at least on my computer.

I wonder if that 1pdr painted red is in its original colour, it does look rather neat and tidy for a 300 year old piece! – or if the light battalion gun was a different colour to main field and seige pieces?

If the Bavarian artillery was red with black metalwork, it would look the same as the French artillery of the period. Not unreasonable I imagine, during the WSS, especially.

I am interested in any other sources for the gun colour anyone can find!

@ herkybird

The two guns on display are certainly authentic. They are shown entirely restored. The barrel is authentic (seen in a very darkened weatherd bronze – its not blackened cast iron) and the iron parts of the carriage are authentic. I'm not sure about the wooden elements. They may have been renewed, but based on the old material (they look newly fabricated). Also the natural leather straps to fasten the rammer etc is new. The red furnish is also new, but based on the former furnish. German conservators take great pains here to restore the original. The work has been the result of professional conservators, rather then that of former generations amateur enthusiasts. I'm inclined to trust their findings. It is true Bavarian gun carriages received a "sky blue" furnish at a later stage during the 18th century (not grey – but the furnish might have faded to grey once weathered – the Munich arsenal records call it sky blue). Confirmed for the 7YW. I don't know when the change took place. Possibly only after the WSS and blue by the WAS 1741-1748.