Weapon’s of the Revolutionary War

By MaKenzie Dixon

Copyright

• All images and information in my slide show follow all U.S Copyright Laws

The British

• British Soldiers used the Brown Bess Musket

• It was standard issue to all soldiers.

• Using the Brown Bess Musket required lining up in rows to cast large volley to get hits, for that reason, this is why drilling and discipline was important to keep men in line and shooting quickly.

• British Officers carried Flintlock Pistols, and Sabers (swords) as a Token of office

The Americans

• The Americans were loaned the French Charleville Musket, this became common, but was not standard issue.

• For range, the Pennsylvania Long Rifle became popular. It had rifle bore (meaning grooves in the barrel that allow the projectile to spin, allowing it to fly faster and straighter)

• The first snipers used the Pennsylvania Long Rifle to assassinate British Officers.

Pictures of the Weapons Used in the Revolution

The Guns

• The Brown Bess Musket- Traditionally called the Land Pattern Musket, it was introduced by the British Army in 1722. It was a flint lock, smoothbore musket, it was produced in large quantities for over a century. In addition, it was fitted with a bayonet socket over the muzzle, so it could be used as a pike in close fighting or defeating Calvary charges. Within 50 years of its introduction, it had earned the nickname Brown Bess, while the term was never used officially. The origins of the name are unclear, some suggest it is derived from the German term for Strong Gun (Braun Buss).

• The Pennsylvania Long Rifle- The Pennsylvania Long Rifle was an American of a German Hunting Rifle. It had rifle bore. Meaning grooves cut in the barrel allowing the projectile to spin and shoot more accurately.

• The Charleville- It was a French Infantry Musket loaned to the Americans by the French.

The Big Guns

Mortars

• Mortars- Came in a variety of types and sizes depending on use. There were Land and Sea service Mortars, all ordinance of the day. Land service mortars were lighter than sea service. Sea service mortars were installed in "Bomb Ketches" and needed no man handling. Both ranged from 4.4-13 inches in caliber. Mortar barrels were never more than 3 times the caliber of the gun, and as short as one caliber in large guns. The smallest was the Coehorn a four and two fifths bore size. Named for Baron de Coehorn.

Howitzers

• Howitzers- Was originally developed to fire bombs (powder filled explosive shells) These required large bore. Since the small charge burned quickly, there was no need for a long barrel. It evolved into a large caliber gun with a short barrel.

• Picture- The Howitzer is in the Red Circle in the Background

Cannons

• Cannon used in the Revolutionary War was a standard smooth-bore muzzle-loaded gun. It hadn't changed in over two hundred years. Served as the principal artillery weapon. (picture- British Model 1775, right hand side is a cut away view)

Then Compared to Today

• Today’s military do not use Bayonets and are not fighting off Calvary Charges.

• Today, instead of Brown Bess Muskets and Pennsylvania Long Rifles, we have M16’s, deadly accurate Sniper Rifles, and Nuclear Weapons.

• Due to the dangers of Nuclear Weapons, countries are now trying to get rid of them.

• Countries today, instead of fighting off other countries, they are fighting against Terrorism.

• Today’s government fears are of Nuclear Weapons falling into the hands of Terrorists.

Weapons Then Compared to Today• Compared to 1775-1784 Weapons, today's weapons don’t use Bayonets. Today, we

have more advanced technology, thus, more advanced weapons. Also, today's military soldiers don't have to mostly hand to hand. Today, there are many different kinds of weapons, the list below shows just a few of the main ones we recognize today.

• In Infantry military weapons are referred to as “small arms”. These small arms include:· M16· M4· M40A1 Sniper Rifle· M-249 Saw· M-240 Machine Gun· M-9 Handgun· M-1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun· MP-5 Sub-Machine Gun· Hand Grenades· FIM-9 Stinger Missile· M-252 Mortar· M-224 Lightweight Mortar· AT4 Anti-Armor Weapon· Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon· Dragon Weapon System· TOW Missile System· AN/PVS-14 Night Vision Device· SINCGARS RT-1523E Radio· Mollie Vest· Flak Vest· Land Warrior

Where I got Everything

• Pictures- Bing.com Palongrifles.com About.com.Military History, American Revolution.org

• InformationRevolution- American Revolution.org, Palongrifles.com,

revolutionarywarantiques.com, About.com.Military HistoryNow- About.com. Us Military, Ecolonel.com, Article- The Washington Post, 09 Aug 2006, “A Fight Against

Terrorism” by DeYoung

THE END