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On May Bank Holiday weekend 2001, the Royal Artillery museum on the Thames in Woolwich, opened it's doors to the public again. By invitation of the sealed knot we took part in a 'FIRE POWER' display of artillery through the ages. and a fabulous display it was too. The earliest gun displayed and fired being a Mary Rose gun, with a barrel of cast iron with iron hoops for strength this gun is a copy of a gun recovered from the Mary Rose (which sank in 1545 off Portsmouth) now housed in the Tower of London. This is a breech loading gun on a simple bed of oak (set on a temporary carriage for the day).
The next gun on display was a multi barrelled gun reminiscent of designs made by Leonardo da Vinci for an organ gun (though not an organ gun). Perhaps an idea for next year's show. The two guns shown above and below are part of the collection of Colonel John Dalbier's Bye-Trayne of Artillery, which is a Regiment of the Sealed Knot
It is always surprising to see how little guns changed over hundreds of years. The difference between the next gun, dated 1642, and our own is very minor. It looks quite comfortable as a chin rest too though would have to be given up as such during battle.
The cannon below left looked not dissimilar to a Chinese silk gun where the barrel was wrapped in..... silk ( I sometimes feel quite inadequate as a writer). Except this one was in leather (wasn't it) with a rope pattern.
I can promise you this gun has seen very little wear sir, and I could let you have it at a very reasonable price. Yes we've heard it all before! this time from one of Marlborough's men
And in the picture on the left it would seem some have reached the point of disinterest. Lovely carriage though.
Some exhibits were very busy indeed .... (Oooooh that's us isn't it !)
And we see here as John the builder explains how easy it is to get your hand caught under the barrel. The representatives of the Royal Regiment of Artillery (based in Malmesbury in Wiltshire) will always gladly demonstrate their adaptation of a percussion lock that fits over the vent. These were used most commonly at sea rather than land.
What a lovely colour (that's color for our trans ocean viewers) Yes I think Napoleon would have spotted this one a mile off too. But the build is magnificent. So we have another picture of us! Hah!!!
Most of Shrapnel's Battery posing for a picture whilst Andy was having an argument with the French soldier behind. The Royal Artillery of course were present and provided a spectacle none could match with their splendid horses.
These blokes below didn't seem to have a decent gun between them, but what a tailor.
Yes this was a great day out. We failed to break a window (which can be rather satisfying if you do) but the weather was great and the attendants were exceptional with the high quality of the exhibitions and their attention to detail. The visitors were equally entertaining with tales of their years working at the Royal Arsenal before 1967 when it closed.
We were sorry we didn't have the time to go around the museum. Perhaps some kindly soul will send us some complimentary tickets sometime. Thank you all for the day Please don't be offended if I have included a picture of you and haven't given you a credit. Instead, send me an e-mail with some details of who you are and I will gladly add the details for all to see. |
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