Shiny or Dull

[Perryville]

There was a discussion in my circles today about the appearance of bronze cannon in camp and battle. Were the artillerymen more likely to keep their guns polished (circumstances permitting) or did they tend to try to make them less shiny as to not be easy targets for the enemy? I’m not really interested in opinions, I was wondering if any of you-all had seen any primary sources indicating one way or the other. Thanks!

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Shiny or Dull

I think there was a discussion here on this previously, but of course, what do the manuals say? Well, neither Gibbon nor HBF talk about the surface of bronze tubes that I could find today, but there is an extensive discussion about using light to examine for cracks or fractures. Gibbon devotes some 60 pages to the discussion of iron and bronze tubes, the manufacture and maintenance. The HBF has sections on maintaining and painting wagons/limbers/caissons, and the importance of harness maintenance. The point being, at least in the Regular Artillery, maintenance of artillery and equipment was a critical topic of instruction. Keep in mind, patina is in fact a form or corrosion. Also, "hidden" or "masked" battery was a relative term until you fired your first rounds and your position was marked with billows of smoke. In the end, here are 2 images that appear to have reflective barrels for what it is worth.

[Perryville]

Re: Shiny or Dull

Thanks, That is helpful. It is my opinion that artillerymen treated their guns like firemen treat their trucks, but I have no solid evidence on which to base that opinion.

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Shiny or Dull

I personally think you are right. As a career artilleryman in the modern age, that was certainly our mentality, and when you read Gibbons, HBF, et.al., the attention to detail, the precision that goes along with being an artilleryman, the discussion of maintenance of equipment, I have to conclude for myself that was predominantly the attitude as well. Again, these are only 2 photos, and both are bronze tubes that appear to be reflective and glinting sunlight, so at least in these cases it seems they polished their tubes. Gibbons goes in to great detail about oiling iron tubes and absorbtion of oil into the pores of the metal, so you wonder why the same isn't discussed on bronze tubes. I'm sure there were exceptions, but I also like to humor myself and think I understand the mentality, especially of those regular Army artillery officers.

[faabala]

Re: Shiny or Dull

I have not found any period writings about keeping bronze guns highly polished. I'd love to hear of any.