Deciphering Cyphers
Upon entering the museum’s Artillery Gallery, visitors pass two small cannons standing guard solemnly. If they examine the pair, they will notice some elegant-looking crests decorating the barrels. These markings, called monograms or cyphers, hold information about the ownership, the manufacturing, and the date of the cannons. Guns crafted after the late 1600s generally comprise two cyphers: one closer to the muzzle, representing the Master General of Ordnance, and the other nearer to the base, called the royal cypher, identifying the reigning monarch.
The cypher of John, Earl of Chatham (Master General of Ordnance from 1807 to 1810).
Serving generals could earn the title of Master General of Ordnance, a senior position in charge of all ordnance, which included artillery. Starting in 1693, each succeeding Master General of Ordnance had his cypher, much like a family crest, that featured an initial typically encircled by a classic design of natural elements or inscriptions, topped with a crown associated with his peerage.
As for the royal cypher, it helps identify an individual ruler. It features the sovereign’s first initial followed by ‘R,’ which stands for Rex or Regina, the Latin words for king and queen, respectively. A royal crown sits atop the lettering. Presently, one of the most familiar monograms belongs to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It features the letters E II R for Elizabeth II, Regina, surmounted by the St. Edward’s Crown.
The royal cypher of King George III (reigning from 1760 to 1820) on a bronze 3-pounder smoothbore muzzleloading gun at the museum. Year of manufacture, 1810.
The royal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II
Other standard markings found on old cannons are the name of the manufacturing company and the year of casting, as well as the gun’s weight, often represented by three numbers on British guns: hundredweights (cwt), quarters (qr) and pounds (lb). Manufacturers sometimes added a fourth figure: the imperial ton. Some cannons also display serial numbers on their trunnions.
Today’s artillery does not depict the Master General of Ordnance cypher, as the British Artillery abolished the senior general position in 2013. However, it continues to feature the royal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II. With the recent passing of Her Majesty and a new sovereign soon to be crowned, we are already starting to see His Majesty King Charles III’s royal insignia in circulation.