Background

The project Technology of external artillery firing mechanisms: gun locks (RENEX) is an investigation with the objective of RENovation and EXposition (RENEX) and the objective of understanding the technological development of external artillery firing mechanisms (gun lock), used between the 18th and 19th centuries. This was a short-lived technology that was put out of use around 1880, the date from which military innovations began the era of breech- loading artillery pieces (B.L. “Breech Loading”) and from the which the triggering mechanisms became integrated within it.

The end of the use of gun locks accompanied the end of the use of parts loaded through the tube's mouth. The evolution of the needs of war led to an increase in the caliber of the pieces, but also to the use of new types of gunpowder, essentially the use of slow-burning gunpowder which progressively involved the enlargement of the combustion chamber, which made it difficult to effectively load it by the mouth of the tube (M.L. “Muzzle Loading”) and contributed to the abandonment of the system. Understanding the evolution and cause-effect interconnection between physics and chemistry associated with these systems reinforces the opportunity of the RENEX project.

The end of the use of gun locks accompanied the end of using muzzle-loaded artillery pieces. The evolution of wartime needs led to an increase in caliber, as well as the adoption of new types of gunpowder, primarily slow-burning powders. This shift progressively resulted in the enlargement of the combustion chamber, making effective muzzle loading (M.L. "Muzzle Loading") difficult and contributing to the abandonment of the system. Understanding the evolution and the cause-and-effect relationship between physics and chemistry associated with these systems reinforces the relevance of the RENEX project.

The research results have an impact at a didactic level and are a contribution to the Military History II curriculum, Military Academy, due to the opportunity to reinforce knowledge for the characterization of military activity in the transition from the modern age to the contemporary age and to the period between 1815 and the start of the industrial wars. This same impact will be reflected in the curricula of the History courses at the School of Arts and Humanities of the University of Lisbon.

The objective of the RENEX project is to contribute to strengthening the didactic offer of the Military Museum of Lisbon, through the communication of research results, which will allow the existing mechanisms in the Museum's collection reserves to be brought to a public exhibition, accompanied by synthesis information and multimedia contents.

Last, but not least, the development of the work proposed by the project team will opt for two lines of investigation. A first technical-operational route for the physical study of the mechanisms in the collection, in accordance with the adapted archaeological methodology, with non-invasive purposes, gathering oral information, identifying indirect references, corrosion analysis and documentary photography. A second line of documentary study, based on a qualitative analysis to consolidate knowledge relating to the military use of gun locks and their technological evolution in Portugal.

An integrated field-laboratory-archive process for data processing, for work centered on the academic purpose of development and dissemination of knowledge.