History Browser

This section illustrates a selection of firearms and bladed weapons used by British and Canadian military units during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The peoples of the Pacific coast were formidable fighters during the 18th and 19th centuries. Their warriors used bows and javelins, carried clubs and bone-bladed daggers, and could wear wooden armour. They preferred a mass assault, but treachery during 'friendly' meetings were not rare.

Archers and crossbowmen were commonly found on ships and in the early overseas settlements of the first half of the 16th century. Such soldiers were most likely part of the early Portuguese forays to Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island. (Museu de Arte Antiguo, Lisbon)

This man belongs to the garrison of one of France's maritime colonies in North America. The Compagnies franches de la Marine of Acadia and Plaisance wore this uniform between 1701 and 1713. Reconstruction by Michel Pétard. (Parks Canada)

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, it was not common for British officers to be given medals to mark outstanding service. The custom of presenting an officer with a sword filled much the same role. It was common for popular or famous men to be given an elaborately decorated sword to mark the end of a term of service, or as recognition for an act of particular skill or bravery. This presentation sword, with the hilt in silver with additional decoration in gold, was given to General Sir Gordon Drummond (1772-1854) by the Legislative Council of Upper Canada in 1814. Drummond was born in Quebec, the son of a Scottish merchant. After distinguished service in Europe, he was named president of the government and commander of the troops in Upper Canada in late 1813. Drummond commanded the British forces at the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, and the siege of Fort Erie. (Parks Canada)

This reconstruction shows an officer and men of the régiment de Carignan-Salières during their service in New France. The common soldiers at left and right carry muskets. Hanging from their shoulder belts are the powder flasks known as 'the Twelve Apostles'. The officer (centre) carries a half-pike and wears the white sash of a French officer around his waist. Reconstruction by Francis Back. (Parks Canada)

This photograph shows three different British infantry swords. In the 17th and 18th centuries, soldiers normally had a sword as well as a pike or musket. Gradually, the swords became more for show than use, and were abandoned. Grenadiers were still officially carrying swords during the American Revolution, although they were rarely seen in the field. The short sword here is of this type. By the end of the 18th century, only officers in the infantry still had swords. The 1796 pattern officer's sword was the most common type carried during the War of 1812. Notice the bluing and gold engraving on the blade. This decoration depended on the taste and wallet of each officer. The 1822 pattern lasted a very long time. The hilt is what is sometimes known as the 'gothic' pattern, after the architectural style then in fashion. Canadian militia officers carried this type of sword until swords were no longer taken into the field. (Parks Canada)

Three types of costumes common to all Amerindian tribes are shown. Reconstruction by David Rickman. (Canadian Department of National Defence)

This employee of the Hundred Associates carries a flintlock musket (or 'fusil'), a type of weapon that first appeared in the colony during the late 1640s. The fusil was lighter than the older matchlock musket and its firing system was more trustworthy. This made it an ideal weapon for Canada. The Iroquois' acquisition of firearms changed the military tactics in New France. Helmets and breastplates became useless, and French soldiers simply wore their usual clothing. This man's clothing follows contemporary civilian fashions in France. Hanging from a belt around his chest, our soldier carries individual charges of gunpowder in flasks jokingly known as 'the Twelve Apostles'. Reconstruction by Michel Pétard. (Canadian Department of National Defence)

The Brunswick rifle was introduced as a replacement for the famous Baker rifle of the Napoleonic Wars. It fired a 'belted' ball - a spherical bullet with a raised band around the equator. A similar system was used by troops in the German duchy of Brunswick, hence the name given to the British weapon. The Brunswick rifle was more accurate at long range than the Baker, but was more difficult to load. Introduced in 1838, it was the first percussion lock weapon used by the British army. Percussion locks use a small copper cap holding fulminate of mercury to produce a spark that fires the weapon. This makes it possible to fire even when it is raining - something difficult with flintlock rifles. The photo shows the rifle with its sword bayonet fixed to the muzzle. With its long blade, this type of bayonet gave a rifleman the same reach as a man using a musket and standard bayonet. (Parks Canada)