Napoleonic French Guard Horse Artillery with howitzer

During the Napoleonic period, artillery rained death upon the battlefield with an unprecedented ferocity. Whilst the 12 pdrs were the ‘Queens’ of the battlefield, the horse artillery was the most elite of all Napoleon’s Guard Artillery, renowned across all militaries across Europe.

Horse artillery entered French service in time for the Revolutionary War’s beginning. Both 4- and 6-pounders were used again, and six guns in a battery were usually supported by two 5.5 inch howitzers. Horse artillery batteries disposed of approximately eighty men, all being mounted.

The best gunners and horses in the Empire were assigned to the Guard horse artillery. They accepted only strong and black horses – to the point that late in the campaign, when a shortage of black horses occurred, Napoleon commanded that the steeds be taken from the horse Grenadiers (the senior and most prestigious heavy cavalry regiment).

Equally effective at the forefront of battle and in a reservist role, the horse artillery could reliably be called upon to rapidly prepare the way to exploit a weak spot in an opponent’s battle line, during the heat of battle.

The Howitzer was the go to gun ideally used break open formations and fortified locations prior to and in support of an attack.

Contains 1 metal howitzer and 4 crew

Models supplied unassembled and unpainted