An Cosantóir

27 9168 AT ITS BEST THE ORDNANCE CORPS' RESTORATION OF 18-POUNDER FIELD GUN are used to overcoming difficult tasks when dealing with antique artillery pieces, though these are usually muzzle loading cannon. The elevation, traverse and breech mecha- nisms are all now functioning and a replica braking system has been fitted. To display the gun as it would have looked in 1922, timber spoked-wheels have replaced the Martin Parry adaptor which was the conversion kit that modified the field gun for mechanical haulage. 9168 was amongst the first four guns to be fit- ted with the adaptor in 1938 and this extended the weapon's service into 'the Emergency' years and beyond. Crucially the modification represents the first stage of the mechanisa- tion of the Artillery Corps. No machining was required to fit the adaptor at the time, which meant the axel of 9168 was ready to take the timber wheels without any alteration, although breaths were held in OBW as the replica wheels, copies of the original Royal Carriage Factory models, were mounted on the field gun's axel. In truth, the ease with which they were fitted must stand as testament to the 18-pounder's original design, but also to the ingenuity of A. P. Buquor, the designer of the Martin Parry kit. Conservation experts advised on the best type of paint to use and 9168 has been hand-paint- ed in the green used by the Royal Artillery in 1922. The Irish 18-pounders remained in this colour during the early days with the Artillery Corps. A patch of the original paintwork has been preserved and has been left uncovered in a panel on the gun's cradle and small sec- tions of the grey colour used by the Defence Forces, later on, have been preserved beneath the modern paint layer. During the project all components and assem- blies were carefully examined, and a wealth of information has been gleaned from the many stamps and markings that were found. It was revealed that this 18-pounder was produced with parts that were manufactured in seven different factories, six in Great Britain and surprisingly one in the United States. It is of course, likely, that some of these parts were fitted by Irish artificers during the weapon's service with the Artillery Corps between 1923 and the early 1950s, but the collection of fac- tories that were involved in the manufacture of 9168's main components, represent the mass mobilisation of industry that occurred during the Great War. The field gun was one of 9,244 18-pounders that were produced between 1914-1918 and it may have rolled off the production line early enough in 1918 to see action before the conflict ended. Its service in the Civil War in Ireland is therefore only part of the story. From 1923 the Irish 18-pounders were the cornerstone upon which the Artillery Corps was established and though obsolete by 1939 they formed part of the nation's de- fences during 'the Emergency'. There are many reasons why field gun serial number 9168 should take its place in the Irish military history collection, its restoration/pres- ervation in OBW has enabled this to happen in a way that allows the artillery piece to be displayed at its best. Original serial number engraving Sgts Kieth White and Paddy Sexton working on the restoration of the field gun Trail before treatment

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