Finely constructed to scale and accurately detailed
throughout, the gun with brass barrel cast after the Blomefield model of 1788,
in multi-stages with a series of raised astragal mouldings, trunnions and
button cascable, the latter formed with loops engaging the transverse bolt of
the elevating mechanism. On its block-trail mahogany carriage fitted with
ammunition boxes over the axeltrees, functional elevating mechanism, folding
trail-lever, iron-shod spoked wheels, and small iron mounts and fittings throughout.
Together with its original limber, of matching construction, and with an
off-set pair of shafts designed alternatively for the rearmost horse in single
line, or for harnessing the rearmost pair. Together with its original two-part
ammunition wagon, of matching construction also, the ammunition boxes with
hinged lids and fitted compartments. The entire model preserved in fine
untouched condition.

6-pounder guns of
this type, mounted on this easily manoeuvrable style of carriage, were used by
the Royal Artillery very little changed throughout the Napoleonic Wars up to
the Crimean War; the last known barrel in fact being cast in 1862, while the
first batch was cast at Woolwich in 1793. Three examples of 6-pounders of this
period are preserved in the Royal Armouries Collection, variously dated 1850,
1854 and 1855: see Blackmore 1976, pp.86-88, pl.48. The barrel of the present
model gun includes small constructional characteristics which indicate a
post-1810 date. To judge from the early examples of bronze 6-and 9-pounder
barrels subsequently mounted on Victorian block-trail carriages it is clear
that the carriages were obviously replaced due to service wear and tear. An
example is a 6-pounder dated 1796, cast by Francis Kinman in his foundry in
Shoe Lane London, is in the collection of the Royal Artillery Historical Trust,
Woolwich: see Dawson, Dawson and Summerfield 2007, p.119.



The light 6-pounder was chiefly used by the Royal
Horse Artillery, its battlefield mobility and rapid deployment enabling its
primary role in giving supporting firepower to the cavalry. The block-trail
system of gun-carriage, with its complementary limber and ammunition wagon (as
it was officially referred to), all with wheels of a common large size, was
introduced by General Thomas Desaguliers. The system was tested in 1776 and
published in 1788, two years prior to his death. His concept was based on an
existing French gun-carriage and gave significant advantages over the then
current British bracket carriage system, both in terms of ease of movement and
deployment, across a broad range of the British field ordnance. The Desagulier
gun carriage was subsequently strengthened by William Congreve, Superintendant
of Military Machines at Woolwich, and its great length of service was testament
to its success. A further consequential improvement was the reduction in the
number of men required to serve the guns: for a 6-pounder, this was reduced
from 15 to 5 and an NCO. The Desagulier system could also transport upwards of
60 rounds of ammunition. For a comprehensive account of the development and use
of ordnance of this configuration see Dawson, Dawson and Summerfield 2007.



The present model is made the rarer, however, by the
retention of its original two-part ammunition wagon, an item now almost never
found. This means of transporting both greater amounts of ammunition and the
entire gun crew was planned by Desagulier as a four-wheeled unit formed of a
caisson and a limber simply joined together. The large wheels common to the gun
carriage, together with this articulation, gave the unit greater mobility and
efficiencies in maintenance. For period technical line drawings giving both the
plans and elevations of the gun –carriage, the caisson and the limber,
reproduced from the originals published in 1846, see R.J.Nelson 1972.



Professionally made and beautifully detailed scaled
models of British ordnance, this gun and its correct complement of accompanying
elements being a perfect example, were constructed for the instruction of
troops. Classroom instruction in the rigid drills concerning fire and movement
being essential to the understanding and effective use of the full-size
ordnance. The majority of these models were produced by the workshops involved
in the construction of the full-size ordnance, the principal site being the
Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. A very closely comparable model of a 9-pounder gun
and its limber is preserved in the Rotunda Museum of the Royal Artillery
Institution in Woolwich, others are preserved at R.M.A. Sandhurst: see R.J.
Wilkinson-Latham 1972, pl. 21.