INFANTRY WEAPONS IN SOUTH AFRICA, 1652-1881

Abstract

Lt Genl C. L. Viljoen, present Chief of the South African Army, describes the South African soldier in his forword to the book 'Our South African Army Today' as follows: 'Throughout history, soldiering has always come naturallY to South Africans. In many wars and battles [he South African soldier has proved himself .to be brave, determined and willing to sacrifice all for the cause.'1 It is a well establ ished fact that the infantry was and still is the nucleus of any army and was aptly described by SirWilliam Napier as the 'Queen of the Battlefield.'

Keywords

• Lt Genl C. L. Viljoen
• Our South African Army Today
• The Flintlock Musket
• The Matchlock Musket
• The Brown Bess
• The Double Barrelled Carbine
• The Snider Carbine
• The 'Ou Sanna'
• The Wesley Richards Rifle
• The Martini - Henry Rifle
• Pistols and Revolvers
• The Gatling Gun