SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Gun Carriage colour French

633 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Canada
Gun Carriage colour French
Posted by sharkbait on Sunday, December 27, 2015 5:38 PM

Question asked on a FB site.

Anyone got a clue?

ion..Anyone happen to know what color the gun carriages on French warships were in the early 1600's? Were they painting them red yet or were they just natural wood color?

Thanks for any help.

Cheers

Sharkbait

You have never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3!

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Greenville, NC
Posted by jtilley on Sunday, December 27, 2015 9:04 PM

I know next to nothing about pre-eighteenth-century French naval history, but my guess is that there was no consistency in such things in the early seventeenth century. I have the general impression that European navies in general had adopted red for inboard works by the end of the century. But I'm not knowledgeable enough to be more certain.

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, December 28, 2015 8:51 AM

Red is a pretty good guess.  BTW, red was used more for its cheapness and toughness rather than to cover blood.  There were several good reds, including red oxide, in use for centuries.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
Posted by scottrc on Monday, December 28, 2015 2:04 PM

 As far as what color a French gun carriage would be in a 17th century ship?  It is hard to say, based on how much expense the captain would want to put into paint, the carriages would most likely be natural wood, red, or whatever color he chose to paint his deck furnishings.  Ships before the revolution were usually commanded by members of nobility, so the rails, wales, and fixtures could be whatever color the captain, or admiral if it was a flagship, chose to identify his line of nobility as well as to show his allegiance to the king. 

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.