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I was very fortunate this morning to be able to visit the Wolf, which is currently in storage with the Royal Artillery Museum in Wiltshire.

I have been researching the Wolf for the Mafeking book so it was a real honour and privilege to be able to see and examine it closely. I am very grateful to the RA Museum for their help and support.

The Wolf is really well preserved. It looks identical to the contemporary pictures with the only exception being the missing trunnion covers.


Colour pictures courtesy of the RA Museum



The barrel and breech are engraved:



Who designed the Wolf is not known in the contemporary accounts but there is evidence on the Wolf





The contemporary accounts report the Worf to be a 5, 5.5 and 6 inch howitzer. The muzzle measures 5 and quarter inches or 13cm.

On 27 March 1900, Major Panzera was order to reach the Boer laager with the Wolf. His charge of more than 3lb did reach the laager but also burst the breech.

The Wold was towed back to the workshops at night and repairs made.

Foreman Connolly said she was as tight as a drum when she returned to service.

The repair consisted on four strengthening pieced which were bolded to the barrel and breech. These are later additions because they obscure some of the letters originally engraved on the barrel.

Everything about the Wolf is interesting. The carriage was created by blacksmith and carriage maker Joseph Gerrans from an old threshing machine.

The wheels are metal and have a curious double spoke design.



The name H F Co, Hull can be clearly seen.



paint has obscured the other name ..leworth?

Fantastic photographs. Thank you David.
Any chance of adding them to the Artillery and Ammunition thread?

Neville

Yes, will do.

This contemporary picture shows the howitzer was inscribed with its name. Today, the wood has been coated and the name lost