Armstrong Gun

One of the most influential person on the development of modern gunnery was William George Armstrong. He invented the first modern field gun and would would eventually go on to found the Elswick Ordnance works.

William George Armstrong

Born 26th November 1810 in Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, he was educated in the north east and became articled as a solicitor, a profession he worked in for 11 years, but his main interest in life was engineering.

Whilst fishing he saw a water wheel in operation, and wondered, how could all the power generated by water could be utilised. On his return he designed a rotary engine powered by water, and later a piston engine which were built by Henry Watson in the High Bridge works. However little interest was taken in the engines.

In 1854 Armstrong became involved a scheme by Newcastle Corporation to pipe water from distant resevoirs to Newcastle. As part of the scheme Armstrong pursuaded the Corporation that excess water pressure could be used to power hydraulic cranes, and an experiment was consudted on the quayside in Newcastle.

The cranes were a success, and this pursused Armstrong to set up an engineering business, and in 1847, WG Armstrong & Company purchsed land on the banks of the River Tyne at Elswick, and production of hydraulic cranes commenced.

By 1850, 300 men were employed at the works, producing 45 cranes per year. The company expanded further, and also began the construction of bridges.

During the Crimrea War in 1854 Armstrong read about the difficulties the British Army experienced with their heavy field guns.

Royal Artillery in the Crimea

He therefore decided to design a gun which was not only more manoeuvurable, it would be have a longer range be more accurate and have a greater rate of fire. To achieve these objectives, he designed a breech loader with a rifled barrel made from wrought iron wrapped around a steel inner lining and was designed to fire a shell rather than a canvon ball.

The initial test firing was conducted on the moors at Allenheads, and proved to be succesful.

Test firing the Armstrong Gun on the moors at Allenheads

 

The modern breach loading rifled artillery firing a shell origated on the banks of the Tyne.



Armstrong Gun Discovery Museum Newcastle upon Tyne

Armstong Gun Cartridge and Projectile

 

Armstrong Gun Works Elswick 1859