Very little........

[razorbackjac]

I know very little on the 7 years war. So I have two questions guys.


1. What was the basic rifle? Were they like the weapons in 1775?


2. Recommend a book to read(on this period) that is still easly found.

[Sol Invictus]

Your basic smoothbore musket was the predominate weapon. Some specialized units such as Jagers and Grenzers used rifled muskets.

By Force of Arms by Christopher Duffy is an excellent book on the SYW.

[razorbackjac]

Your basic smoothbore musket was the predominate weapon. Some specialized units such as Jagers and Grenzers used rifled muskets.

By Force of Arms by Christopher Duffy is an excellent book on the SYW.

One last question. Was there a big difference in the smooth bores used during this time frame as compared to the smooth bores used in 1775?

[squarian]

One last question. Was there a big difference in the smooth bores used during this time frame as compared to the smooth bores used in 1775?

Virtually none - for example, the French Charleville musket was first produced in 1717. The second model, 1728, differed in nothing more significant than the number of metal fastenings holding the barrel to the stock. The Charleville remained in production as the standard infantry arm throughout the Napoleonic Wars and into the reign of Louis Napoleon, when it was finally replaced by various Minie rifles and eventually the Chassepot bolt-action breechloader.

Details apart, virtually every military musket in use in Europe was the same - essentially no significant technological innovations from the early 18th to the mid-19th centuries. The only exception is the replacement of wooden ramrods, which tended to snap in combat conditions, with steel.

With the exception of specialist rifle units, the infantry fought with the same basic weapons for three or four generations. True of the cavalry as well, of course. Only the artillery saw significant technological innovations in this era.

[razorbackjac]

Virtually none - for example, the French Charleville musket was first produced in 1717. The second model, 1728, differed in nothing more significant than the number of metal fastenings holding the barrel to the stock. The Charleville remained in production as the standard infantry arm throughout the Napoleonic Wars and into the reign of Louis Napoleon, when it was finally replaced by various Minie rifles and eventually the Chassepot bolt-action breechloader.

Details apart, virtually every military musket in use in Europe was the same - essentially no significant technological innovations from the early 18th to the mid-19th centuries. The only exception is the replacement of wooden ramrods, which tended to snap in combat conditions, with steel.

With the exception of specialist rifle units, the infantry fought with the same basic weapons for three or four generations. True of the cavalry as well, of course. Only the artillery saw significant technological innovations in this era.

That answered my question.

[Longhairedlout]

Hi there, I found a book on the seven years war on Scribed, like you I never really knew much about the war, so I have been reading through this


http://www.scribd.com/doc/6872128/Osprey-ESS006-Seven-Years-War

[mjw]

I whole-heartedly recommend "The Army of Frederick the Great" by Christopher Duffy.

It is not about the 7 years war per se; but about the prussian army itself. Duffy tells you all you want to know about the Prussian army from 1740 to about 1780. The second half of teh book detailes the more famous battles of the Austrian Succession and the 7yrs war. The first half is about training, doctrine and organization. Perfect aid to this game I think.

I hear "The seven years war" by Marston is good but havent read it.

Stay away from Szabo's "7yrs war in Europe" unless you hate Frederick, think he was highly over rated and need those opinions reinforced with vitriol. YMMV of course.

[Hohenlohe]

For a good overview about the Prussian Army at that time and their uniforms I suggest Haythornthwaite " Frederick the Great and his army" sofar I remember, but the book from Duffy is slightly better in case of good basic information about the details of doctrine, training and organization.

I own both but must still look for the Haythornethwaite one. It seems lost in my big collection(1800 books sofar). I still ordered "Maria Theresia and her Army" by a german edition but do not remember the author just now.
I even own "Napoleon and his Army" from the same edition.

The Osprey - book about the SYW is relatively good and easy to read. I would suggest it as a must-have.

greetings

Hohenlohe