In November we had an interesting discussion of the performane of 18th-19th century flint lock muskets. But muskets were desinged fo use en mass in major battles, not as individual weapoms
Just how effective were they under these combat conditions.The basic unit in battle was a unit of 500 to 1,000 men called a battallion, a regiment, or a demi-brigade depending on the country.
The best data I have is on the British Army. At the time of the Napoleonic wars a British battalion consisted of ten companies. a headquarters and a band,
Two of the companies were called flank companies and might be detached on special duties. THe eight battalion companies fought together in a line formation which was two men deep. (other countries formed up three or four men deep, thus "the thin red line")
In the battalion companies only privates and corporals carried muskets. A full strength company had 88 muskets. These were the weapons that were actually fired at the enemy. Battalions in the field seldom had the authorized strength. The average during the wars against Napolean was 500 men armed with muskets
Tests conducted in England around 1800 against a long rectangular canvas target representing a hostile battallion showed the following results:
At 100 yards 53% hits
At 200 yards 30 % hits
At 300 yards 23% hits.
The British infantry did not normally fire at ranges greater than 100 yards.
How fast could they fire?
In the British army well trained soldiers were expected to fire three rounds per minute. British soldiers went into action with 60 paper cartridges per man. The high rate of fire ( three rounds per minute) was used only during the critical moments of the battle. The rate of fire fell off as more and more shots were fired and the muskets were fouled by black powder residue.
So if you were a French soldier marching at a British battalion you could fecieve three volleys each sending 500 545 grain .735 inch diameter lead balls into your unit. The effect was that of a giant sawed off shotgun. No wonder casualties were high.
Oh well, those were the good old days!
Just how effective were they under these combat conditions.The basic unit in battle was a unit of 500 to 1,000 men called a battallion, a regiment, or a demi-brigade depending on the country.
The best data I have is on the British Army. At the time of the Napoleonic wars a British battalion consisted of ten companies. a headquarters and a band,
Two of the companies were called flank companies and might be detached on special duties. THe eight battalion companies fought together in a line formation which was two men deep. (other countries formed up three or four men deep, thus "the thin red line")
In the battalion companies only privates and corporals carried muskets. A full strength company had 88 muskets. These were the weapons that were actually fired at the enemy. Battalions in the field seldom had the authorized strength. The average during the wars against Napolean was 500 men armed with muskets
Tests conducted in England around 1800 against a long rectangular canvas target representing a hostile battallion showed the following results:
At 100 yards 53% hits
At 200 yards 30 % hits
At 300 yards 23% hits.
The British infantry did not normally fire at ranges greater than 100 yards.
How fast could they fire?
In the British army well trained soldiers were expected to fire three rounds per minute. British soldiers went into action with 60 paper cartridges per man. The high rate of fire ( three rounds per minute) was used only during the critical moments of the battle. The rate of fire fell off as more and more shots were fired and the muskets were fouled by black powder residue.
So if you were a French soldier marching at a British battalion you could fecieve three volleys each sending 500 545 grain .735 inch diameter lead balls into your unit. The effect was that of a giant sawed off shotgun. No wonder casualties were high.
Oh well, those were the good old days!
