colour French artillery 1690

[janbruinen]

What coolour did they french equipment/canons have in the 1690-1698 period.
I thought it was red but can't find the source again.
Also: did limbers, wagons etc have the same colours as guns?

[yar68]

Don't know if it helps but, in the referance book "From Pike to Shot 1685 to 1720" by Charles Stewart Grant. It states in 1701, one source sayes blue while another sayes red. I doubt there would be much differance between 1690 and 1701, so my advice is take your pick!! My mate is painting up a NYW French army, he's painted the artillary a dark red. Hope this helps!!

[Ronan the Librarian]

I don't have a source, but I think a darkish red was the norm for French equipment in the WSS; I think some of their allies, such as Savoy, had blue.

IIRC, the blue thing came about later in the 18th Century, with the Gribeauval system, when there was an argument between the supporters of the old Valliere system (red) and Gribeauval system (blue). This was also why different French artillery regiments had red or blue small clothes.

[janbruinen]

Thansk,I have found also a TMP discussion in which was stated that red was the color for artillery in this period.
So i'll take that
greetings
jan

[footslogger]

Thansk,I have found also a TMP discussion in which was stated that red was the color for artillery in this period.
So i'll take that
greetings
jan

Be careful what you derive from TMP.

In the WSS, the French used red. I'm not sure about earlier.

[flick40]

I don't think anyone is going to lynch you for either color. I like royal blue personally with fluer-de- lis on the carriage.

[janbruinen]

footslogger,
thanks. I know. But somehow all info seems to indicate red/rusty red etc. Even Barry shows in his pictures red as colour for the french guns.

[El Cid]

I think some of their allies, such as Savoy, had blue.

"I think" is not very historically based. Do you have any sources for your thinking ?
Would help me very much .....

[barr7430]

I have recently taken to painting gun carriages in general a very indistinct colour in the appearance of faded paint.

Sometimes I am doing them natural wood with a wettish kind of dull appearance. I think any bright or vivid colours are unlikely (or more likley they would not stay bright or vivid for very long!) If they couldn't cloth the men very well what chance did a wooden frame stand????

[El Cid]

Great Idea, indeed.
Faded blue hues on a wooden carriage.
Made my day, thank you.

[Arthur]

French ordnance began to be regulated by Louvois during the 1660's, with standard calibres being introduced in 1666. From then on, field pieces were almost always cast in brass and the carriages were painted red to protect the wood against humidity and rot, while the ironwork received a coat of black paint to keep the rust away.

All serious authors from Chartrand to Terana agree on red and I don't think there is a single reference to blue carriages in late C17th primary sources.

[EvilGinger]

Thank you I will do mine red with brass barrels & blackened iron work but the red I will use will be terracotta as it looks suitably faded & I might green wash the brass bits to suggest slight corrosion.


Ginger