Prince August

Gribeaval Cannon

Complete moulding set

Wheel diameter 47mm Total length of barrel 60mm

painted example

The origins of the French Napoleonic artillery were the Gribeauval reforms which started in 1776, which reduced the bewildering variety of artillery pieces then functioning to 4, 6,8 and 12 pound guns and 4, 6 and 8 inch howitzers. Gribeaval's reforms also improved and standardised the gun carriages, the limbers and the ammunition itself. Further improvements were later introduced in 1803 under Marmont's "System of the year XI", but because all such changes took so long to be completed, all campaigns fought up to the year 1812 were fought under the Gribeauval system.

The Gribeauval reforms also made the guns lighter, more mobile and easier to handle, than had previously been the case, and changed the role of the artillery from mere infantry support to an independent service arm.