French Napoleonic Artillery Systems- Gribeauval to AN XI (1798-1815)

The Evolution of Napoleon's Artillery Train

By Tony Barton

The French artillery system went through significant changes during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. 

The Gribeauval System (1765-1806)

The Gribeauval system used the 4, 8, and 12-pounder guns plus the 6-inch howitzer. These were well established at the time of the Revolution and remained standard pieces up until around 1805. 

But Boney had captured large numbers of Austrian, Piedmontese, and Prussian 6-pounders between 1800 and 1806, and realised they were better as field pieces than the Gribeauval 4 and 8-pounders. In fact, many batteries were entirely equipped with captured pieces.

Why the change? The Gribeauval 4-pounder was too light and short-ranged. The 8-pounder was too heavy, especially to maneuver, and it took great effort to move the barrel trunnions from the traveling to the combat position, which delayed getting into action. The 6-inch howitzer was also too flimsy, tending to break its carriage, and used too much powder, reducing the number of charges that could be carried in its caisson.

AB-F44: Six horse team, walking. Gribeauval limber.

The An XI System (1803-1815)

By 1805 it had been decided to re-equip the artillery with three An XI (1803) designs:
- 6-pounder gun
- 12-pounder gun (slightly redesigned trail)
- 24-pounder howitzer

They also brought in a limber fitted with an ammunition chest to increase the amount of ammunition available on the firing line.

These innovations took some time to take effect. It wasn't until the start of 1812 and the Russian campaign that the entire artillery was equipped with 6-pounders, with 12-pounders in the Guard. 

This vast train was largely lost in Russia. For the reconstruction of the Army in 1813, desperate times meant everything had to be used - some reuse of mothballed Gribeauval pieces, captured 6-pounders, and anything that could be made mobile.

So things were always in a state of change and flux, as was usual in Boney's Army.

AB-IF73c: Four horse team, walking. An XI limber

Spain Was Different

In Spain it seems the French continued to use the Gribeauval guns right up until their expulsion in 1813: 4 and 8-pounders and 6-inch howitzers. Many of them were probably captured from the Spanish, who had adopted the Gribeauval system earlier.

The 6-inch Long Porte Howitzer

The 6-inch Long Porte Howitzer was designed and cast from 1795 as a copy of the Prussian 10-pounder howitzer, to replace the Gribeauval 6-inch howitzer. It had a longer effective range. With the new An XI system it was kept as the howitzer serving alongside the 12-pounder guns of the Guard, right through to Waterloo.

Which Limber When?

As far as limbers are concerned:

An XI limber with ammunition chest: Use for 6-pounders and 24-pounder howitzers from about 1806-1810 onward.

Gribeauval limber: Use for all 4 and 8-pounder guns and 6-inch howitzers throughout the period.

12-pounder gun: Could go on either depending on date.

AB-IF75: Six horse team, galloping. Gribeauval limber   

For more, please see the work of Stephen Summerfield and Rene Chartrand.