Stopped by the Springfield Armory Museum in MA

A few weeks ago I stopped by the Springfield Armory Museum in Massachusetts. I shouldn't have been surprised by the similarities and parallels to the development in Safehold, but I was.

A few of the thoughts that struck me:

The original site for the Armory was partly decided because of proximity to water power for industry. Reminded me of the siting and power discussions for the various industrial works.

Old equipment on display was powered by bands/belts. This struck me as I directly related it to conversations in the books. Found a picture http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrloqlB5LKU/U ... mories.jpg

At least according to the Springfield folks, they were the pioneers of interchangeable parts to a large extent. Made me think about it again with the demonstration that officer made to Thirsk.

Seeing all of the firearms, from a pipe on the end of a pole arm (displayed next to a halberd from the same time) to the last prototypes produced by the Armory. Made me think of where small arms on Safehold are headed next - especially with all of the folks who are clued in and have access to Owl to help them avoid some of the dead ends.

Anyway, it was a fabulous trip into history, I highly recommend dropping by if you have a chance. I like running across things that puts stories I've been reading into perspective.

As a part-time American Civil War reenactor, I can safely say that there are many aspects of Safehold's military capabilities that I find familiar, and a few that I strongly wish could be used during the ACW (field mortars for example). A few things that I'm pretty sure the Imperial Charisian Army and Marines wish they could have would be telegraph units. But signals units using semaphore and heliographs can be almost as good. Personally, after reading Erwin Rommel's book about his experiences in the First World War I really wish we could use field telephones. Some of us younger guys like to go out in the woods and skirmish a little, and a field telephone for scouting parties would be awesome.

As an alternative, try a visit to the Browning Collection sited in the former Union Station in Ogden, Utah

There is quite a collection of John Moses browning's prototypes including the "Bar" magazine and revolving rifle from the "cap and ball" phase of firearms

Unfortunately I had forgotten my camera so the photographs that I took on my "tablet" did not come out very well.

(I was really only there to see the UP 4-8-4 and "Big -Blow" locomotives but saw the other three museums on site "in passing")