Licorne facts for kids
The Licorne (pronounced "lee-KORN") was a special type of cannon used in the Russian Empire during the 1700s and 1800s. Its name means 'unicorn' in French. It was designed in 1757 by M.W. Danilov and S.A. Martynov, and approved by a general named Peter Ivanovich Shuvalov.
What Made the Licorne Special?
The Licorne was a mix between two types of cannons: a howitzer and a regular gun. It had a longer barrel than a howitzer, which meant it could shoot projectiles further and flatter.
Unlike other cannons, the Licorne had a unique powder chamber. This chamber was shaped like a cone. This made it easier to load the cannon. It also helped the cannonball sit perfectly in the middle of the barrel.
Licornes could fire different kinds of ammunition. They could shoot solid cannonballs. They could also fire shells (like howitzers). Plus, they could use grapeshot and canister shot. These were like giant shotgun blasts.
History and Use
The barrel of a Licorne was about 9 or 10 times its width in length. The amount of gunpowder used was about one-fifth the weight of the cannonball. This was a good balance between the heavy charges of cannons and lighter charges of mortars.
Licornes were first used by the Russian army in 1758. They came in different sizes. The smallest needed two horses to move it. The largest ones needed up to twelve horses!
In 1758, a special army unit called Shuvalov's Secret Howitzer Corps got 38 Licornes. This unit was then renamed the Bombardier Corps. The next year, 105 more Licornes were added to other army units. This included the cavalry (soldiers on horseback).
Some Licornes were shown to the Austrians in 1759. But they thought the cannons didn't shoot far enough. They also found the carriages too heavy. Official tests in Russia in 1760 didn't show much advantage for the Licorne. However, General Shuvalov convinced the government to say the Licorne was an improvement.
By 1760, there were 280 Licornes in service. Most of these (224) were used in the field army. Major-General Aleksandr Glebov, who led the artillery, told his troops to use the new guns. They would shoot over their own attacking soldiers. This was meant to disrupt enemy forces.
After 1805, the Russian army used 2-, 10-, and 18-pounder Licornes. These cannons were usually placed on the sides of artillery groups. This setup was part of the "System of 1805." This system was largely created by Aleksey Arakcheyev. It was based on lessons learned from the Battle of Austerlitz.
The 2-pounder Licorne was no longer used by the time of the War of 1812. But the other two models were used until the Crimean War. Many of them were captured by the British during that war. Licornes were known for being more accurate than similar French howitzers.
Licornes were also used by artillery units in other places. These included forces led by Karađorđe and in Congress Poland.
Why the Name "Licorne"?
The name "Licorne" comes from the handles on the cannon's barrel. These handles were shaped like a unicorn. A unicorn is also shown on the Shuvalov family's coat of arms.
See also
- Secret howitzer, another invention by Shuvalov
- Canon obusier de 12, a French cannon known as "Napoleon"
