More on Russian artillery

[cannonmn]

Boris M. sent me a page of thumbnail pix of some of the pieces in the St. Petersburg museum-no the picture quality isn't perfect, but still very interesting.  One thing I like about that collection, so many of their pieces are still mounted on original carriages.  I suspect the colder climate doesn't rot wood as quickly as elsewhere.  Also, that museum is one of the oldest in the world, originally dedicated to artillery, so items were put in it on a permanent basis, long ago, and are still there.

Everyone probably knows this, but click on the small photo to get a bigger one.

We've previously posted the link to the large set of the museum's photos.

I still think I wouldn't mind being a janitor or night watchman in that museum.  But then they might need to hire someone to watch the watchman.

 http://megobor.boom.ru/artmus/guneng.htm

[KABAR2]

Cannonmn,

Those are some great photos,

I think photo # 1 may be a good example of what happens
when a cannon is designed by committee 




I wish you could do a shooting video on that one! I have a feeling
it would be interesting to say the least........

[Artilleryman]

Makes you wonder what the sponging and worming procedures were.  I would like to see the ammunition that these guns used.  It would give a whole new meaning to "cannonball".

[cannonmn]

I know the one with the oval bore fired a disc-like projectile. It was to be kept secret.  It was called the Shuvalov System, and "Secret Howitzer Model 1753."  There are extensive inscriptions on the barrel about all the officials who approved it, inspcted it, cast it, etc., more than I have time to write here.  The barrel is bronze and weighs in at 491 kg., the bore is 95x207mm., barrel length 162cm.

The rectangular bore gun has cast iron barrel,  is called an "experimental 3-pounder gun."  It was cast in Olonets in 1722.  From their catalog, pp. 89:  "The cannon was intended for firing with three 3-pounder balls, all together, Because of this balls were wrapped all round with linen, placed in one row on a wooden tray (spiegel) and tied with a rope round."
Cal. 80x230mm.  Weight of barrel 492 Kg., length 156cm,


Interesting.   

[Cat Whisperer]

Amazing that these were kept around at all!

[dominick]

Here's another site that has Some pre-1899 Russian Artillery pics   http://www.thetankmaster.com/artillery.asp

[cannonmn]

Very interesting, many pieces I've never seen before, probably due to a lot more Russians getting on the web.

Here's the link to that site, I don't know why it didn't "take" as an active link in the first post..

http://www.thetankmaster.com/artillery.asp