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1864
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1864 is a 2014 eight-part Danish miniseries that revolves around Denmark's defeat in the Second Schleswig War between the Kingdom of Denmark and the German Confederation (Austria and Prussia). Ole Bornedal is responsible for the screenplay and direction, while Tom Buk-Swienty's books Slagtebænk Dybbøl and Dommedag Als served as the template. At a cost of 173 million Danish kroner (approx. 25 million Dollars), it is the most expensive Danish TV production to date. The series premiered on DR1 on October 12, 2014, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Second Schleswig War, which ended in October 1864.
Denmark, mid-19th century: brothers Peter and Laust Jensen enjoy a happy childhood and youth on a coastal estate. They like to test their strength and always try to outdo each other, but when it comes down to it, the brothers are there for each other. When Peter and Laust meet the beautiful Inge Juel, the estate manager's daughter, the three become inseparable. Both boys soon feel more for Inge than just friendship. But dark clouds gather over their young happiness. When war breaks out in 1864 between Denmark on one side and the German Confederation on the other, the brothers enlist in the army. Around 150 years later, young Claudia, a teenager who is considered difficult to educate and who is supposed to look after an old baron on the estate where the Jensen brothers and Inge grew up, finds Inge's memoirs and begins to read them to the old man.
The following weapons were used in the miniseries 1864:
Handguns
Pistolet de Garde du Corps
The Baron (Waage Sandø) owns two percussion pistols which appear to be 1820s converted variants of the French Pistolet de Garde du Corps du Roi 1er flintlock pistols. In Episode 1, a young Laust (Sylvester Byder) takes one of the pistols and plays around with it.
Danish officers and soldiers including Sekondløjtnant (second Lieutenant) Wilhelm Dinesen (Johannes Lassen), Peter Jensen (Jens Sætter-Lassen), Didrich (Pilou Asbæk), Kaptajn (Captain) Ernst Schau (Troels Malling Thaarup) and Generalmajor (Major General) Henrik Claude du Plat (Jens Jørn Spottag) use Colt 1851 Navys throughout the series. Some Prussian soldiers can also seen with Colt Navys; which usage is correct because the German Confederation bought several Colts from the United States. In addition to this, in 1855, a hidden shipment of 3,000 Colts with the associated accouterments from America to Russia was confiscated by Prussian customs officials during the Crimean War. 1,000 of them were kept for the Prussian navy and were stamped with KM (Königliche Marine, Royal Navy).
For Danish soldiers, the usage also seems to be correct; like their Prussian counterparts, many officers purchased their own sidearms. Another accurate choice would be the French Lefaucheux Revolver, which was officially adopted by the Royal Danish Army after the conflict as the Lefaucheux-Francotte M1865. Otherwise, the Ringhanepistol M.1848 Kronborg percussion pistol would also be an option.
Colt Walker 1847
Prussian Totenkopfhusaren (Death's Head Hussars) of the Leib-Husaren-Regiment are armed with Colt Walkers in the fifth episode. The revolver is most likely representing a Colt Brevete, a copy of various Colt pistols made by different European countries during the 19th Century, as it is highly unlikely Prussian troops used authentic Colt Walkers as not many were made and none were sold outside the United States.
The appearance of these hussars is historically incorrect; during the conflict, both Leib-Husaren regiments were stationed at the Prussian-Russian border for security purposes due to the 1863/64 Polish January Uprising.
Studserpistol M1850
One of the hussars carries what appears to be a Swedish Studserpistol 1850 Cavalry Pistol. This pistol stands in for the Prussian Kavalleriepistole M1850 Cavalry Pistol which looks almost similar.
Rifles
Springfield Model 1842
The Danish Army and also some Prussian soldiers are armed with American Springfield Model 1842 muskets with brass fittings. This smoothbore musket was never issued to one of the two parties to the conflict, instead they used Minié rifles. The Springfield musket is used by Laust Jensen (Jakob Oftebro), Peter Jensen (Jens Sætter-Lassen), Johan Larsson (Søren Malling), Erasmus (Esben Dalgaard Andersen), Einar Nielsson (Carl-Christian Riestra), Alfred (Jens Christian Buskov Lund), and Sergent Jespersen (Peter Plaugborg).
Danish soldiers in the Second Schleswig War were issued with a variety of muskets like the Tapriffel M/1848 and Suhler M/1854 Minié rifles of which a lot were converted with the British Snider breech-loading system after the war designided as the Bagladeriffel (Breechloading rifle). The Hæren also bought modified French Charleville Mle. 1822T. Another rifle used by Norwegian volunteers who fought for Denmark was the Kammerlader breech-loading rifle; even if only in small numbers. After the war, the Royal Danish Army recognized the need to introduce breech-loading rifles and equipped its soldiers with the American Remington Model 1867. The Remington Rolling Block served in the Danish Army even after the introduction of the Krag-Jørgensen Model 1889.
For the Prussians on the other hand, the Springfield stands in for the Potsdam Model 1839/55, which the troops still widely used as they could not equip all units with the Dreyse rifles.
By and large, however, the Springfield 1842 is similar to the models just mentioned, as they all originate from the French Charleville Musket.
Enfield Pattern 1853
Several British Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle muskets are seen among the armory of Didrich's father. Throughout the series, some Danish and Prussian soldiers carry Enfields. It is possible that Great Britain delivered some of them to Denmark before the war but this is just a guess.
Enfield Pattern 1861 Musketoon
Various Danish soldiers also use carbine-length muskets which appear to be Enfield Pattern 1861 Musketoons.
Lorenz Model 1854
Various Danish soldiers are seen with Austrian Lorenz Model 1854 rifled muskets. Notably, during the ambush at Sankelmark on February 6, 1864. This is the only sign of Austrian involvement, when the aftermath is seen, only Prussian soldiers can be seen; despite the fact, that the battle was fought exclusively by Austrians and Danes. While not in the series, Wilhelm Dinesen is seen on a promotional image with a Lorenz rifled musket.
Dreyse Model 1841
The primary weapon of the Prussian infantrymen including Heinz (Ludwig Trepte) and Ludwig (Roland Schreglmann) is the Dreyse Model 1841 rifle which is the first breechloading bolt-action rifle in history. Some Danish soldiers are also briefly seen carrying Dreyse rifles. It is historically correct to see this Dreyse model; the improved Model 1862 was only tested in limited numbers during this conflict. In addition, the M/57 carbine and the Füsiliergewehr M/60 were also used.
It was the second time that the Prussian army used the Dreyse rifle against Denmark. During the First Schleswig War from 1848 to 1852, some fusilier battalions were armed with it but were unable to play this trump card. However, it was not until the Second Schleswig War in 1864, that the rifle was widely issued, although the assessment remained inconsistent. This was due to the fact that only small skirmishes were fought on the open field in this war, as most of the fighting involved the defense or storming of fortifications.
Dreyse Model 1857/67
Some Danish and Prussian soldiers are also seen with anachronistic Dreyse Model 1857/67 needle rifles which were converted from the Württembergian Vereinsgewehr Model 1857. This variant can be recognized by the larger ring mounted on the stock, no cheekpieces, and a different receiver from the Jägerbüchse M/65. The used rifles have the improved bigger frame sight of the Model 1862. Despite this, the front sights of the muzzle barrel bands are removed; this is because the silver barrel bands have been replaced with gold ones. Presumably, to make them look like the Model 1841.
Charleville Musket Replica
Charleville Musket replicas made by Denix are wielded by several soldiers. These are seen in the background.
Artillery
12 Punds Granatkanon
Several 12 Punds Granatkanon field guns are used by Danish soldiers. This field gun variant was a part of the 1834 weapon system developed by the Danish artillery Major General Jacob Scavenius Fibiger.
Like in the actual events, these field guns were seen in the series during the battle of Mysunde, the evacuation of Danevirke, and the battle of Dybbøl.
Sergent Jespersen describes the Granatkanon to the recruits (Ep. 3).
84 Punds Granatkanon
The Danish redoubts at the Danevirke and Dybbøl are equipped with several 84 Punds Granatkanon howitzers and are also part of the 1834 weapon system. In some sources, these howitzers are referenced as a "M1862-1863 Rifled Fortress Artillery Gun", for example at the Royal Danish Arsenal Museum in Copenhagen. The gun barrel is mounted on a so-called fortress mount and can only be rotated at a limited angle.
Some could also be the Kuglekanon which looks the same but differ in that they had a smoothbore barrel. Both variants were used during the actual battle.
3 Pundig Kuglekanon
A 3 Pundig Kuglekanon is seen stationed at the Danevirke in the fourth episode.
Festungsgeschütz C/61
What appears to be the breech-loading, rifled 12 and 24-pound siege and fortress artillery variant in 150mm caliber of the Krupp Feldkanone C/61 is used by the Prussians during the Battle of Mysunde and later Dybbøl. In the latter, they were seen stationed at Gammelmark (Batterie Nr. 2) on the Broager peninsula to support the infantry's advance.
The two smallest calibers (4- and 6-pounders) are actual field guns and as such are made of Krupp cast steel. The 12-pounders and 24-pounders are only intended for fortress and siege warfare and have barrels made of either bronze or the finest cast iron. The barrel consists of two parts, a rear chamber, smooth on the inside, for holding the projectile and the cartridge, and the long, drawn barrel that connects to it. The "C/" designation stands for a series of different caliber artillery guns that use a single basic design.
General der Infanterie August Karl von Goeben (Karel Dobrý) describes the howitzers to Prince Friedrich Karl and his general staff before the first shelling of the Danish fortifications.
Other
Double Barreled Shotgun
A is held by Baron Severin (Bent Mejding) in the first episode. Another shotgun is seen carried by Djargo (Jordan Haj).
Flare Gun
Before the final attack on April 18 in Episode 7, a Prussian soldier fires a Flare Gun to signal the beginning of a massive artillery bombardment.
Weapons Exhibition
The baron's estate contains a room full of weapons. Many of them are Enfield and Springfield muskets.
Dummy Rifles
During the hand-to-hand fighting in the seventh episode, several rubber Dreyse and Springfields are seen.
