For me, the major piece in there was a French Army (Reffye) Mitrailleuse Model 1866. Captain Reffye served in the artillery and this affected how the mitrailleuse was used, not as anti-infantry but on counter-battery deployment which reduced considerably its effectiveness. It was mounted on an artillery carriage which made it sturdy but heavy.
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| Captured by Saxon troops in 1870/71 |
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| Not sure about the colour, I think it may have been repainted |
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| 25 barrels, in five tiers of five, firing 130 shots/minute, range 1200metres |
Also of interest was an original officer's coat of the Seven Years War period. The young Saxon was wounded in the left arm, hence the damage to the left sleeve.
Conclusion. A very enjoyable visit. I only had time for the main ground floor exhibition areas, there were more upstairs. Everything was well laid out and lit with good explanations in both German and English. A painting of the Battle of Blenheim raised some eyebrows as this showed proper artillery fortifications around the village was the only fault we could find.
The new appendage to the museum looks rather like the monstrosity they put up at Mann Island, on the Liverpool Pier Head, and I absolutely hate that one. I suspect that, 100 years from now, architects and city planners will laugh at acts of vandalism like this which were considered bold and innovative in the early 21st Century.
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