Thursday, February 12, 2009

1800-1899


Cannon: 1800s Howitzer

Design: Howitzers were short barreled and had spherical case shot and canisters.

Materials: The Howitzers were made with metal. You would also need gunpowder to give the ammunition thrust to fire. Generally lumber would also be needed to make the carriage the Howitzer rides on, but the smaller 6 pounders could go without.

Ammunition: Howitzers could be made different ways to suit different ammunition. Some were made to take solid shots, which were large spherical cannonballs. Some were made to make shells, a hollow iron ball filled with gunpowder than would explode upon impact. Some were made to take case shots, which would explode and send shrapnel flying everywhere. Some were made to take canisters, which were filled with smaller balls and had the effect of a shotgun. Some were made to take grape shots, which were similar to canisters except they had fewer and larger balls.

Trajectories and Accuracy: Howitzers were specifically made to have a shorter range, but a trajectory with more of an arc. This could help get over walls or anything else in your way. If you needed a high shot that didn't necessarily go far, then this was the cannon for you.

Economic Role: Howitzers were fairly expensive, but were much more effective than less costly cannons. The countries that became successful with this cannon probably has a better political standpoint in the world. Having a whole bunch of little things like Howitzers back then was like having a huge lot of nuclear weapons today.

1 comment:

  1. I liked the format and how you included the Ammunition, trajectory, economic role, materials and design. It gives a set of good, concise information.

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