Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

For many masters, the job of building gardens in Tsarskoye Selo is something they would love to have. After all, there are a lot of benefits in the project, and if the work is done well, the emperor's reward is inevitable.

But for Solovyov, this job, even if it is just supervision, is a time-consuming job. Before that, he thought about making money, but after arriving at Tsarskoye Selo, he learned something else from Mikhail Dolgorukov.

They both happened to be "Misha". After meeting again, they gave each other a code name. In the end, it was easier to distinguish between their respective arms. Moreover, on the battlefield, hussars and grenadiers should not be too friendly to each other.

"Grenadiers, the Emperor suddenly issued an edict in Gatchina. If anyone can present a new weapon and it is adopted, they will receive a bonus."

"What does this have to do with me, Hussar? You know, I have a lot of work to do for Count Bobulinsky. If I do it well, I can also show my face in front of the Emperor."

"But you wrote last month saying that the current muskets always fail to fire and have many problems. New designs should be adopted."

This is a Russian feature. Many of the weapons they produce come from the Tula Arsenal. Mikhail Dolgorukov's father, Peter Petrovich, was appointed by Tsar Paul as the head of the Tula Arsenal. This job is very convenient for him. The Dolgorukov family already has their own manor in Tula, and they can also "guide" the work nearby.

However, given the capabilities of Russia's military industry, Solovyov was still quite worried. The Pugachev uprising more than 20 years ago caused serious damage to the industries in southern Russia and the Ural region. Izhevsk was the worst hit. After the nationalized large arsenal in 1763 was captured by Pugachev, he subsequently executed the head of the arsenal and 42 technical workers, and released the serf workers in the factory. Since then, the factory has been seriously injured and only has a name. The entire Russian military production can only rely on a few state-owned arsenals, and the production quality has been reported to Paul.

The arsenal established in the era of Catherine II was not very efficient in production. Many of the craftsmen hired came from foreign countries. Domestic factories have long used serf workers. The technicians in the arsenal are somewhat different from "ordinary workers". With skills, they even have a tendency of "petty bourgeoisie" and can even have their own property instead of being completely dependent on the factory.

This is a bit abstract. Many things that happened in Russia are also abstract. For example, whether it is a flintlock or a rifle, the tendency of "international brands" is very obvious in the Russian army. Soloviev had seen a surprising number of domestically made and foreign rifles in the Suzdal Regiment and the Moscow Grenadiers before.

Why did Tsar Paul suddenly issue such an edict? Considering that the place where he issued the edict was Gatchina, there is some explanation.

"Hussar, I have thought of a good idea. After submitting it, the emperor will definitely say it is good. But it is still difficult to make it."

Soloviev thought about Minié bullets, rifled rifles, and even breech-loading rifles. However, with Russia's processing capabilities, I am afraid that none of them can be made. It is also dangerous to catch them now. Even if he has such a friend, whose father is the general in charge of the Tula Arsenal, it is indeed difficult.

But the design of this gun can be produced very quickly, and since Solovyov said so, Mikhail Dolgorukov will not let him go.

"Grenadier, don't be as fussy as an old woman in the countryside. If you have some good ideas, just show them directly."

"Then I will present it directly to the emperor. If the emperor really adopts my design, I guess this edict will be sent to the Tula Arsenal."

In short, the Dolgorukov family can't be avoided, including Vasily Vasilyevich who came to the woods to hunt today. He is taking his family to the woods near the Imperial Village to hunt. This master is a lieutenant general in the army and an active privy council member, but his faith is Catholic, which is not liked by Tsar Paul. Although he was proud for a while some time ago, Tsar Paul awarded him the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, but he was exiled to Moscow for a few months, and then the whole family returned to Petersburg.

"Vassily Vasilyevich, I'm glad to see you here, but are you dressed like this to go hunting?"

"Yes, dear Mishchenka, hunting has been a joy in the past few months in the countryside of Moscow."

"Then when you come back, would you like to bring your whole family to hunt?"

"Yes, so that my wife can relax. It's always better to be in the forest than in the palace."

Speaking of which, the Dolgorukov family, or more precisely the Dolgoruki family, is a large noble family with many branches in Russia. If Mikhail is to follow the age and seniority, he should call this lieutenant general uncle.

When they came back from Moscow, the family was indeed quite impressive, with attendants following behind, some carrying hunting rifles for the master, some leading horses, holding umbrellas, and driving carriages.

After all, he is also a prince, and the estate he inherited is not small, so he can always afford this kind of ostentation. As for Solovyov's family, it is a bit difficult for the court to be certified as a baron, so the ostentation is very He is limited, and he is also a country nobleman - he only has some money, but compared with such a master, it is far behind.

The prince was very kind, and he and his nephew continued to chat.

"Mishenka, you are getting more and more handsome. I don't know what kind of wife you can marry in the future. Do you prefer someone with a good family background? Someone with a high family background? Or do you just want to find a beauty?"

"Dear uncle, Vasily Vasilyevich, it will be a long time. I am talking to my friends here about something related to the emperor's recent edict to collect new infantry weapons."

"Well, that's an important matter. Although our emperor is a little more serious, he also sincerely wants to make Russia stronger."

These words were seven parts appreciation and three parts ridicule. After being demoted, Vasily Dolgorukov quickly returned to Petersburg. He agreed with some of Tsar Paul's reforms, but some things went too far. Going too far, especially as a former general like him, he couldn't help but agree with some of the statements of the "crazy" Marshal Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov.

And then there is such a complex emotion, which Russians always have

"Mishenka, are you discussing this issue with such a child? I think you look familiar, kid."

"Your Highness, I am Lieutenant Mikhail Solovyov, aide-de-camp to His Highness Prince Dmitry Volkonsky."

"I have an impression. When you were in Moscow, you were very nimble with your hands and feet. Your father married a French girl for a second time, which is more impressive than the impression he had on you. Son, you must do your best too."

"Yes, work hard. We are talking about the things in the emperor's edict. Maybe the hunting soldiers need a new gun, just like you went out to hunt today."

To put it this way, the French spelling of Chasseur is Chasseur, which means hunter. It is not wrong to change it to Jager in German. They are both the official names of Chasseurs. They are also a group of marksmen selected from among the rangers and hunters. Better shooter.

What Solovyov took into consideration was this unit. In the Russian-Turkish War, the Russian army always suffered a loss in skirmishing battles at first. The skirmishers themselves also paid more attention to the accuracy of fighting, rather than fighting in a line. Until they fought the Turks a few more times and gained enough experience, they returned to their old ways and the Russian army gained the upper hand in the battle.

It is now the midsummer of 1797. I have not fought against the Turks for several years, and my military service has always been honorable retirement after 25 years of service. I can go home and think about it, many people have begun to lose their martial arts skills, and they will have to fight in a few years. battle.

"So, what kind of rifle are you going to make?"

Vasily Vasilyevich was asking this question, and Solovyov was very happy. He just expressed his thoughts, and there was nothing shocking about it.

"It's like the Spanish shotgun of the past. It is loaded with gunpowder and bullets from the back and then fired. Vasily Vasilyevich, this is very simple. Many people can think of it, but there are some problems in it that need to be overcome. "

Although General Dolgorukov understood the meaning, he was unwilling to delve deeper. Instead, he rode away, followed by a carriage carrying his family.

"I don't think the Privy Councilor is concerned about this issue."

"My uncle is a good-looking person. He has always been like this. If you visit his home, he will be very enthusiastic."

"He's a nice guy. I'll go back and find a way to get this gun, and maybe I'll have to settle with Count Bobulinski."

"Besides, you won't be needed to build the manor here. You have been here these days. The emperor issued an edict. Officers have regular vacation time every year. An adjutant like you may not be included in this."

Mikhail Dolgorukov said this, and Solovyov was also helpless. After all, the young adjutant was either a well-connected person who came to be gilded, or he was a diligent errand boy, but this was better than coming to serve. The peasants who served in the military were strong. Sometimes they had to continue working for the masters, and they had little freedom.

He also has more free time, but when he returns to Prince Dmitry Volkonsky, there is actually nothing to do, but if he presents a new gun, he still needs the recommendation of his superior.

Returning to his home in Washi Lane, Solovyov now also knew that his family members had returned to the countryside of Ryazan. Compared with the nearby mansions, his house was obviously much more cramped and small. There are not many people in his family, so there is always plenty of space.

Now that he had some free time, before Tsar Paul's edict to rectify military discipline came into effect, he invited both Count Bobulinsky and his commander, Prince Volkonsky. Fake, and the reason is very good, it is to research and develop new guns.

As for this structure, he actually had some ideas. If he really wanted to do breech loading, the Ferguson rifle, which was more mature in the 18th century, was far less reliable. The current solution, in terms of pistols, is a revolver with black powder pre-loaded at the rear. There is no problem with the current technology, but the loading speed is epically slow. He tried to make a three-eye loading teaching aid, but he was already in a mess trying to speed up, let alone a six-shot revolver.

However, he also asked Dolgorukov of the Hussars about this structure. After the meeting in Tsarskoye Selo, the other party replied that they, the Hussars, were not picky with the current pistols. If you make a five-shot or six-shot revolver, at most each cavalryman can carry a few more guns, so that the firepower can be maintained.

Thinking of this, Solovyov was more determined to equip officers and cavalry with this revolver, and first drew it strictly according to the drawings.

As for the rifle, if it is just the current muzzle-loading flintlock, the time of using the rifle rod to clean the barrel has occupied most of the shooting preparation process. The breech-loading rifle is still very suitable for skirmishes, but the line infantry will obviously be opposed with the current tactical direction, and he, a grenadier lieutenant, can't say anything.

Therefore, in the design of the breech-loading rifle, he only transformed something more advanced in concept based on some existing rifled guns. Although the airtightness of breech-loading rifles and cannons was not good at the end of the 18th century, the obvious tactical advantages were there.

Although it couldn't handle cannons, breech-loading rifles appeared very early. In terms of concept, it was a way to stand out in Russia to give Tsar Paul a very eye-catching feeling.

Under this design idea, he considered a model of the Springfield rifle that was modified on a large scale after the Civil War. It can be loaded from the breech, and it also uses copper shells to load black powder. Although it is 70 years ahead in concept, it is not completely impossible to make it.

If you want to ask: which one is the best at reloading bullets, the base of the old Eighth Route Army on the North China Plain and the magical workshops in Peshawar, the technical conditions of these places are actually worse than the regular military industry of the same era, but the things they reload are really useful.

Soloviev took this into consideration. Copper jacket bullets and copper shells, skilled craftsmen may be able to achieve a small deviation, so that they can be installed in a rifle and fired a few shots to open the emperor's eyes, and the purpose has been achieved.

However, mass production is difficult. After all, the artillery is the main user of copper, so Soloviev thought about returning this design to paper shell rear loading, which is enough in the era of the Napoleonic Wars.

Several related technologies, except that copper shells are a little more difficult, rear loading guns have existed for a long time. The patent for paper shell bullets was first applied for by the French in 1808. In addition, the projectiles must be made into ordinary lead bullets or Minié bullets, and the technical requirements are not high, so there is still room for development.