The Markings of English Cannons Captured at Yorktown

[Cannoneer]

PDF: The Journal of the American Military Institute, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Spring, 1939), pp. 58-61 Identifying Marks British Artillery Yorktown

[GGaskill]

I was under the impression that ultima ratio regnum meant "last argument of kings."

[Cannoneer]

I was under the impression that ultima ratio regnum meant "last argument of kings."

George - That's also my understanding of the latin phrase; I mean I've seen some differences in translation like "The Final Resort/Reason of Kings", but they convey the same meaning: War had become the only option. I think the French (Louis XIV) were the first to put this on cannon, and it's the short version of "The Last Resort of Kings and Common Men", used in declarations of war.

GG, I'm missing something here; I've now reread the text of this document four or five times over, and I can't find any reference to the marking "Ultima Ratio Regum" being present on any of these British barrels.

[GGaskill]

It is in the article referenced by the post Miniature French cannon from the 18th century.  Don't know how it got attached to this thread other than lack of attention by the poster.

[Cannoneer]

Thanks George; I kept going over the article, and couldn't figure out why I couldn't find the reference to the latin motto.
Don't feel bad though, I did the same exact thing on another GBO board last week; there were two similar threads and when I opened the thread I wanted to leave a post on, I picked the wrong one.