Monogram cast into cannons/carronade

[bruce d]

Hello all, I hope someone can help.

Were there rules dictating the size and placement of the regal monogram cast into English cannons/carronades?  The George III era is of particular interest but now that the subject is raised I wonder if there is a standard reference source?

 

Thanks,

Bruce

 

 

[wefalck]

I am not a specialist on this, but a publications comes to my mind that could shed light on this question:

 

MCCONNELL (1988): British Smooth-Bore Artillery: A Technological Study to Support Identification, Acquisition, Restoration, Reproduction, and Interpretation of Artillery at National Historic Parks in Canada.- National Historic Parks and Sites, Environment Canada – Parks, Publ. R64-178/1988E: 595 p., Ottawa (Minister of Supply and Services Canada).

 

This is available on-line, if I remember correctly.

[bruce d]

Thanks, Wefalck. Yes, I found it in PDF quickly and it comes close but does not state the rules. What a great piece of reference material! I am glad to have this one.

 

My observations tell me that the width of most regal monograms (if that is the correct name?) is roughly just less than half the diameter of the part of the barrel where it is cast: so if you looked down on it from above the emblem should appear to occupy nearly half of the section you are seeing. Not very exact but that is what I see.

If there is a source of course I will be glad to chase it down. Best bet at the moment is 'Boxer, E.M. Treatise on Artillery' which is quoted greatly in the 'MCCONNELL (1988): British Smooth-Bore Artillery' from Wefalck.

Regards,

Bruce

[wefalck]

I gather the monograms, coat-of-arms and year of manufacture had the function to not only identify the pieces as royal property, but at the same time made sure that they were not confused with similar pieces, so that the right cannon balls and charges would be used. This is on land probably more important, than at sea. So the monograms must be readable without going around the piece, typically looking down. Hence, their maximum breadth would be probably somewhat under half of the circumference of the barrel, perhaps a third or so, considering the geoemtric distortion when looking down. This is just a practical guess and not founded on any further information.

[allanyed]

Encyclopedia of Markings and Decorations on Artillery by Mendel Peterson may have what you need.  It covers multiple nations.

Allan

 

[bruce d]

Allan, what a great source! I found vol 1 in scribd but have not (yet) found the remaining pieces. It is a study of the work of one of the world's best authorities on identifying cannon found on the ocean floor and I am sure I will spend a lot of time studying the mass of information contained. So far it looks like it discusses the processes but not the rules but I will enjoy reading it in more detail.

I will continue looking for the other pieces that complete the work.

Many thanks.