A Detailed Study of the Effectiveness and Capabilities of 18Th Century Musketry on the Battlefield

A DETAILED STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS AND CAPABILITIES OF 18TH CENTURY MUSKETRY ON THE BATTLEFIELD

N A ROBERTS, J W BROWN, B HAMMETT & P D F KINGSTON

Abstract

During the mid 18th century, the standard British Army issue weapon was the Brown Bess Musket. There are various accounts of the performance of this early form of firearm and its tactical deployment (e.g. Hanger 1816). Using a technical replica of the Brown Bess, range trials and computer modelling have been used to asses the weapon’s capabilities and likely performance. The research found the Brown Bess musket to be a lethal weapon at the ranges at which enemy was commonly engaged, so long as it was accurate enough to hit the target. A single shot fired at 150 yards could penetrate at least two soldiers, even if bone were hit. The armour of the day (shields of wood, leather and sometimes steel, and the layers of woollen clothing) was easily pierced by the shot. The shot was found to readily deform on impact with metal targets. The maximum range could extend to around 1200m, with 202m reached when fired horizontally.

Introduction

Background The nature of warfare is always dictated by the principle weapon systems available at the time. In the 18th century, the principle weapon system used by the British infantry was a smooth bore musket. The weapon was employed in platoon-sized groupings, which fired volleys of lead shot in the direction of the enemy (shots were not aimed). The musketeers would form a static location in front of an advancing enemy, or fire while advancing until close enough for hand-to-hand combat. It is clear that the performance of the musket would have a direct influence on the tactics and the outcome of the battle. However, historical sources provide many conflicting accounts of the capability, performance and reliability of this weapon system (Hughes 1974). Perhaps the most often quoted reference comes from the hand of Colonel George Hanger who saw service with the British Army during the American Revolution:

‘A soldier’s musket, if not exceedingly ill-bored, as many are, will strike a ﬁgure of a man at 80 yards; it may even at a hundred; but a soldier must be very unfortunate indeed who shall be wounded by a common musket at 150 yards, providing his antagonist aims at him; and, as to ﬁring at a man at 200 yards with a common musket, you may as

well ﬁre at the moon and have the same hope of hitting him. I do maintain and I will prove, whenever called on, that no man was ever killed at 200 yards, by a common musket, by the person who aimed at him (1816: 205).’

Aim The aim of this research project was to conduct a thorough ballistic examination and provide a performance assessment of an 18th century musket. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the examination of the performance and capabilities of historic firearms, including artillery, through experimentation and replication (e.g. MacPherson 1994; Pollard & Oliver 2003; for a detailed study of cannon-fired case shot, see: Allsop & Foard 2007). This interest has also been reflected through the activities of hobbyist black powder shooters, most particularly in the USA (e.g. James n.d.). The project focused on the investigation of the Brown Bess Musket as used by the British Infantry at the Battle of Culloden on 5 April 1746. This battle is of particular interest as archaeological investigations have resulted in the recov- ery of numerous lead projectiles including musket balls and the present project received support and encouragement from Dr Tony Pollard, the archaeologist leading that work. This weapon was widely popular, and remained in use without major modifications until the 1800s, when rifles eventually made smooth bore muskets obsolete.

Approaching the problem Due to the value, scarcity and deterioration of original Brown Bess Muskets, the firing of a technical replica Brown Bess was the most appropriate method of analysing the ballistic properties. Using a technical replica, with similar bore and barrel dimensions to the original, would ensure more consistent experiments could be carried out. Range trials were conducted with the aim of replicating the known performance (particularly muzzle velocity) of the Brown Bess. Computer modelling was used concurrently to maximise the information obtained from each trial. The conditions derived from these trials enabled the setting up of accurate and realistic tests examining the wound effects the weapon could inflict in different tactical situations (such as closer ranges and differing amours). The effect of impact on the lead shot was also examined by using a soft capture box.

The Brown Bess The historical context for this research project was the Battle of Culloden, where the British Infantry used the Brown Bess Musket. Existing documen-