Which sources to know all the weapons used since the very beginning of Canada

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dauph197

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Hi Guys,

I'm wondering if there is a single source or multiples ones that present all the weapons used in Canada. From the very beginning of the French Colony to nowadays? It is in fact very hard to clearly identify each and every models that was used. If there is no book about it, I just found my future retirement project!

Seriously, is there a better source than Wikipedia to identify, if not all the rifles, at least the majority that was in use in Canada?

Thanks.

Martin
 
scott585 said:
smellie is a good start, but finding this stuff can be hard, try and find a single thorough source for post war webbing equipment.
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I know that smellie may be the best source. He is so happy that I'm living so far from him, I would be knocking on his door at every day... Just finding a book about WWI and WWII webbing would be nice also...
 
From Confederation on (1867)? You speak of French Colonial days so I'll assume you mean much earlier. Champlain "found...err, Canada" at a time when the Wendat (Huron) and Iroquois were engaged in a land and power struggle (some argue genocide...scholars disagree. What they do agree on is the Huron were losing the "war" when Champlain came on the scene). He championed the cause of the Wendat and supported them militarily against the (5 at the time) Iroquois/ Mohawk/ Algonquin nations. These would have been French military flintlocks, cannon and perhaps even pistols.

This would be your starting point. Your end point would be Diemaco (Colt Canada) in Kitchener ON and the manufacture of the C7 and C8 rifle.
There is a lot of meat in between these two bits of bread! Good luck...I'll swear the Industrial revolutionary times had folks turning out guns from their Barns!:p

For a lot of our history, the guns our military used were either British or domestic "Canadian" made (Ross). When it comes to home defence of 1812 or even 1866 (Fenian/ IRA raids) understand that we were not well supplied. Our "Army" consisted of mostly militia units (read farmers) who brought their own guns to the fight. More so in 1812 than the Fenian Raids of 1866. The "Army" would not constitute the majority of our boys in the field...more like a supplemented voice of command. There are of course exceptions to the norm (Lundy's lane) where what we see is British regulars holding a formation, and the battle of Ridgeway where the Militia was actually well equipped and trained...but these are the exceptions. (I guess Queenston Heights would also fit, but they were actively attacked/targeted...Stoney Creek...a hell, I'm talking myself out of my own point)
 
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dauph197 said:
I know that smellie may be the best source. He is so happy that I'm living so far from him, I would be knocking on his door at every day... Just finding a book about WWI and WWII webbing would be nice also...
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if you can find a copy, Tangled Web is a good one, and so is '37 Web - Equipping the Canadian Soldier
 
scott585 said:
if you can find a copy, Tangled Web is a good one, and so is '37 Web - Equipping the Canadian Soldier
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Just found '37 web - Equipping the Canadian Soldier. Thank you for that...

Will it be possible to get more info about Tangled Web... The results are about Internet Websites!

Thanks again,
 
All the weapons used buy who? The assorted military's? Start in your public library and read about military firearms starting in the 16th Century. There isn't one definitive book though.
Find a copy of Canada's Soldiers. The Military History of an Unmilitary People by GEORGE F.G STANLEY. About $21 on Amazon. Likely in the library too. However, from 1759 to after W.W. II, our military primarily used whatever the rest of The Empire used. French military kit before 1759.
Champlain was a matchlock kind of guy. Arquebus shooter, so he was. No Huron near what is now Quebec City either, as I recall. Algonquin, for sure. Iroquois pestered everybody. Not that it matters.
 
Thank you for the correction, Arquebus indeed (1608ish). However, I didn't say the Huron were near Quebec City (what is now Quebec city). Samuel De Champlain moved and mapped all over the Great lakes, where he came into contact with the Wendat. I read he befriended the Innu as well, but I don't know how that is possible. My limited understanding is that the "Southern woodland Indian tribes" (Yes I know how racist that sounds, but I believe it to be contemporary) were fearful of the Innu and would never venture into their territory. (Mackenzie exploration of the river)

A neat story of Champlain and his Arquebus...he had ventured into Iroquois territory and was left with 60 Wendat and 3 Frenchmen. 200 Iroquois descended upon them led by 3 Chiefs. When these 3 were identified during the heat of battle, Champlain kills 2 of them with a single shot from his Arquebus and one of his French companions kills the other. The Iroquois flee having lost their Chiefs (maybe also witnessing gun powder for the first time?). This "battle" sets the tone of bad relations between the French and the Iroquois nations for the next 100 years.
 
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"Military Handguns of Canada" Law
Military Arms of Canada" MRS
"Defending the Dominion".
"Ross Rifle Story"
 
dauph197 said:
Just found '37 web - Equipping the Canadian Soldier. Thank you for that...

Will it be possible to get more info about Tangled Web... The results are about Internet Websites!

Thanks again,
Click to expand...
Tangled Web: Canadian Infantry Accoutrements, 1855-1985 by Jack L Summers
it has been out of print for some time and i dont think many copies were printed in the first place, i found my copy via the EE
 
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