Brunswick rifle

• Is Ranged — yes • Is Uk — yes • Name — Brunswick Rifle • Type — Muzzle-loading rifle • Origin — United Kingdom • Design Date — 1836 • Production Date — 1836–1885 • Service — 1836−1851 • Used By — British Empire, United States, Belgium, Nepal • Wars — British colonial conflicts Crimean War American Civil War • Caliber — 0.704 in • Part Length — 30 in • Cartridge — Lead ball • Feed — Muzzle-loaded • Action — Percussion lock • Rate — User dependent; usually 3–4 rounds a minute • Range — 300 yards • Weight — 10 lb

In the early 19th century there had been some criticism about the performance of the Baker rifle. In 1808, Colonel Henry Beaufoy had argued in his book Scloppetaria or Considerations on the Nature and Use of Rifled Barrel Guns that the Baker rifle, was only accurate at short ranges. He went on to criticize the fact that gunmakers were forced to strike a balance between accuracy and durability on the battlefield of the Baker rifle. Baker gave several reasons for his choice of rifling. With only a quarter turn in thirty inches, the barrel was less prone to fouling from frequent firing than barrels with whole, three-quarter or half turns. Historical records show that the Baker rifle rarely caused such problems during its thirty-five years of service. Though, to some extent, accuracy was reduced, particularly in some of the Birmingham-made rifles during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1828, these issues were brought to the Ordnance, prompting a review of the suitability of the existing rifle. Until 1836, George Lovell (Inspector of Small Arms) examined several rifles on behalf of the Board of Ordnance, but none of them proved satisfactory in the tests. In February 1836 Lovell had produced a model of his own. The twist of this rifling had a three- quarter turn in the thirty inches of the barrel giving the bullet more rotation but less friction. To improve accuracy, the stock was not as straight as the Baker's, and the iron furniture was blued or case-hardened to avoid the glare of brass. It also featured a back-action percussion lock, a fixed backsight for 200 yards and a folding leaf for 300 yards, as well as a sword bayonet. In the meantime, the Duke of Brunswick had had manufactured a rifle which was also had submitted to Lovell. It had a barrel 39 in. long with two wide round grooves making a complete turn. During tests, this rifle demonstrated excellent performance. Despite this, Maj. Dundas and the Woolwich Committee were less impressed, acknowledging its precision at long ranges but criticizing its heavy weight and complicated loading process. They considered it unmanageable for troops. Lovell persisted, suggesting that the two-groove barrel, was superior to the eleven-grooved variant. With the design agreed upon and materials ordered, urgent tests on six of his two-groove rifles were conducted by a Committee of Officers led by Maj.-Gen Millar in November and December. The rifle resembled the original eleven-grooved model, but with the Brunswick rifling, which was made to a calibre of.654 in The twist had also been increased to a complete turn. Where the rifling left the muzzle, two semi-circular notches into which the ball's belt was fitted, making loading much easier. The rifle weighed around 9 pounds and the bayonet had a more substantial handle and a 22-inch blade. In place of the round lug on the barrel was a flat bar with a notch facing the muzzle. Lovell moved the bayonet bar farther away from the muzzle, thereby removing the bayonet handle as an obstacle to clear vision when the bayonet was attached. In January 1837 the first 2,000 Brunswick rifles were ordered.

• Illustration — Girdled bullet and twin rifle groove of the Brunswick rifle. The Brunswick had a two groove barrel designed to accept a "belted" round ball. Like all rifles of the period, the Brunswick rifle suffered from the problem of being difficult to load. Rounds for rifles were required to fit tightly into the barrel so that the round would grip the rifling as it traveled down the barrel, imparting a spin to the round and improving its stability. Even though the rib and groove design of the Brunswick allowed it to use rounds that did not fit quite as tightly, the black powder utilized during this period would quickly foul the barrel, making even the Brunswick's design more and more difficult to load as the rifle was used. The lock was originally a back action design, with the mainspring located behind the hammer. This design proved to be unpopular because it weakened the wrist of the stock. Later Brunswick rifles featured a more conventional side action lock. The stock was made of walnut, and featured a straight wrist and a low comb butt. A patch box with a hinged brass lid was located on the right side of the butt. Originally, the Brunswick rifle used a single compartment patch box. Later rifles used a slightly larger patch box with two compartments. The ramrod pipes, trigger guard, and butt plate were all made of polished brass. The rifle was designed to accept a sword type bayonet which mounted by use of a bayonet bar, similar to the design of that used on the Baker rifle. The bayonet bar was relocated further back due to problems that had been experienced with the Baker rifle. The Brunswick rifle used a block front sight and a two position folding leaf rear sight which could be set for either 200 or.The rifle weighed approximately (depending on the pattern) without the bayonet attached.

The Pattern 1836 featured the original back action lock and the single compartment patch box. The first of these were 0.654 in caliber. This was changed fairly early in the rifle's life, and most were 0.704 in caliber. All subsequent patterns were 0.704 in caliber. The Pattern 1840 featured a dual compartment patch box, and had several minor improvements to the Pattern 1836. The Pattern 1841 replaced the back action lock with a side lock. However, this lock change was not put into manufacturing until 1845. This version also used a wrought iron barrel instead of twisted steel, and a simple plug that replaced the break-off breech plug used in earlier patterns. The Pattern 1848 featured other minor improvements, and used an improved bayonet latch with the locking notch located halfway along the bayonet bar on its upper side. Only a few batches of rifles produced for the British Army were fitted with this improvement.