Danish arms at the Battle of Dybbøl

[Ian Hutchison]

Hi,

I'm trying to discover what model rifles were used by the Danish forces at the Battle of Dybbøl in 1864. I know the general models in use at the time but not specifically which were/weren't at the battle. If anyone knows this that would be of great help. Furthermore, if anyone knows what units used what model specifically at the battle, I would be greatly obliged.

Thank you,

Ian Hutchison

[Øyvind F.]

This is probably old news for you, but about 50 % of the army was equipped with one of the 20 000 muskets that were purchased from France in 1847. These were rifled in 1861. As far as I know, six different pillar-breech and minié rifles were used by the Danish infantry in 1864.



Shown in the picture:

• Pillar-breech rifle M/1848, calibre 16.9 mm, weight 5 kg, length 131 cm.
• Pillar-breech rifle (Suhl) M/1854, calibre 16.9 mm, weight 5 kg.
• Minié rifle M/1828, calibre 17.8 mm, weight 5 kg.
• Minié rifle M/1822 (French), calibre 17.8 mm, weight 4.2 kg, length 137 cm.

Not shown in the picture:

• Pillar-breech rifle M/1831, calibre  16.9 mm, weight 5 kg, length 131 cm.
• Pillar-breech rifle M/1840 (French), calibre  17.8 mm, weight 5.1 kg.

Source: http://www.1864.dk/scripts/visobjekt.php3?id=912 and http://www.1864.dk/scripts/visobjekt.php3?id=1278

I don't know exactly what muskets each regiment were equipped with, and probably it was a mix of several models. Perhaps the people behind http://www.1864.dk knows?

[Ian Hutchison]

Thank you very much. I knew what rifles were in service but I had no idea in what quantities. To learn that almost 50% of the army were equipped with the M/1840 is very helpful. I will also inquire with the link you provided.

Thanks again,

Ian

[Fabian23]

So thats why I can't find any pillar breech rifles....they all went to Denmark :rant:

[Øyvind F.]

I don't know which was the most common of the Model 1840 or 1822, but both were minié rifles, and there wasn't 20 000 Model 1840 rifles, but a mix of 1822s and 1840s. Here is a picture dated 1864 of volunteer Jonas Sigismund Collin with a Model 1822:



Source: http://www.1864.dk/scripts/visobjekt.php3?id=3421


> So thats why I can't find any pillar breech rifles....they all went to Denmark :rant:

No pillar-breech rifles went to Denmark from France as far as I know. The French M/1822 and M/1840 were originally flintlock smoothbore muskets that were converted to percussion before being sold to Denmark. The Danes rifled them in 1861 and started using minié balls. The pillar-breech rifles were originally Danish muskets that were converted from smoothbores.

Don't blame the Danes (this time) :-D