MOUNTAIN ARTILLERY TRANSPORT. 
317 
and tlie gun was specially designed for transport in this manner between 
two horses. It was a smooth-bore bronze howitzer, without any date 
or place of manufacture marked on it; the calibre was 5f inches, and 
its length without the cascable was 3 feet 6 inches. Its chief peculiarity 
was that it was cast with four loops, two in front and two in rear of 
the trunnions, in which were placed large iron rings. Poles could be 
passed through these rings one on each side, and the gun could be 
transported by two horses over almost any country. (Pig. 2.) 
Fig. 2. 
The exact weight of this howitzer was not to be found, but by 
comparing it with the 24-pr. carronade of 13 cwt.^ which it somewhat 
resembles in general dimensions, its weight would probably be about 
10 cwt. It was much scored with firing, and had been re-vented with 
an iron vent about two inches square, and possibly the last occasion 
which arose for its use was in an attack on the place in 1842. 
At the present time, when efforts are being made to increase the 
power of the mountain gun in our service, this method of transporting 
a gun over a hilly country would appear to be well worth a trial, and 
there is no doubt that if found suitable a much heavier piece could be 
brought into the field for mountain warfare. The necessity for having 
a jointed gun would be done away with, which in itself would be a 
considerable advantage. The rough clumsy framework in use in a 
“ takhtrewan ” could be lightened and improved. The shafts could be 
made of wood and fastened to a light steel framework, with loops to 
support and secure the gun while travelling. The carriage, with its 
wheels and the ammunition, could be carried on other carriages specially 
constructed to receive them. 
The best method for the gun to travel would be with its muzzle to 
the front and parallel to the line of draught (Fig. 3) ; the length of 
Fig. 3. 
the 400-lb. jointed-gun is 70^ inches, or about 6 feet, which would not 
be an excessive length. The objections to be urged against such a 
