Russian horse artillery was created to provide fast-moving fire support for cavalry and other mobile formations. Unlike ordinary foot artillery, the gunners were mounted, allowing an entire battery to keep pace with cavalry, move rapidly between positions and bring guns into action wherever they were most urgently needed.
Box art.
By the beginning of the nineteenth century, Russia had developed one of the largest and most professional artillery arms in Europe. Major reforms under Emperor Alexander I reorganized the field artillery into heavy, light and horse artillery formations. In 1803 the horse artillery was organized into two battalions of five companies each, with every company equipped with twelve guns.
Test shot.
A Russian horse artillery company of this period normally combined six 6-pounder cannon with six quarter-pud unicorns. The 6-pounder was the lighter conventional field gun and was particularly suitable for horse artillery because it could be moved quickly and brought into action with relatively little delay. The unicorn was a distinctive Russian gun-howitzer capable of firing both solid shot and explosive shells, giving the battery a useful combination of direct and high-angle fire.
Figures and cannon are not to scale with each other in this screenshot.
The 6-pounder represented in this set was part of the artillery system used by the Russian Army during the campaigns of 1805. Its relatively light barrel and carriage made it well suited to rapid movement, while still providing enough power to engage infantry, cavalry and enemy artillery at useful battlefield ranges.
Some painted figures (painted by CPN)
Horse artillery could advance with cavalry, occupy a forward position, fire rapidly and withdraw before an enemy could close. It was especially valuable for supporting cavalry attacks, defending exposed flanks and exploiting sudden opportunities during a battle. Because the crews were mounted, horse artillery could redeploy far more quickly than ordinary foot batteries.
Sizing figures.
Russian horse artillery saw important service during the campaign of 1805 against Napoleon. At Austerlitz, Russian horse batteries accompanied the large Allied cavalry formations and formed part of the artillery reserve available to support rapidly moving troops. The campaign demonstrated both the importance of mobile artillery and the difficulty of coordinating large multinational armies under battlefield conditions.
Sprue makeup (not to scale or size with each other)
The figures in this set wear the long grey greatcoat commonly seen on Russian artillerymen during cold weather and active campaigning. Worn over the regular uniform, the greatcoat provided protection against rain, wind and winter conditions and gave Russian troops a very distinctive appearance in the field. For a horse artillery crew, it was practical clothing for long periods spent moving with the guns and horses in exposed conditions. Under their greatcoats they wore the distinctive Russian artillery uniform of the early Napoleonic period, with dark green coats and black leather equipment. Horse artillerymen were armed and equipped in a manner that reflected their mounted role, combining the duties of artillerymen with the mobility normally associated with cavalry.
This set represents Russian horse artillery of the 1805 period operating a 6-pounder field gun. The figures are designed to portray the crew at work around the piece, handling ammunition, servicing the gun and preparing it for fire. The poses can be arranged to create an active battery position rather than simply a static display.
The 6-pounder can be used together with our other new Russian artillery sets to build a more complete artillery arm, including the different gun types and crew styles used during the Napoleonic Wars. Combined with our Russian infantry and cavalry, this set is especially suitable for the campaigns of 1805, including Austerlitz, as well as other early Napoleonic battles in which Russian horse artillery provided mobile support to the army.
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