North Mortar Battery
The North Mortar Battery is fitted with the correct armament of 13 inch cast-iron mortars which are fired on occasion by the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers. These mortars weigh 5 tons including the bed [mounting] and require a special drill which is well worth seeing. These concealed mortars could attack any enemy positions dug into the hillside to a range of nearly 3,000 yards.
From here a short tunnel leads to the Parade, where many historic guns are displayed and are interpreted by illustrated panels.
Where possible, guns of the original armament have been provided from the Royal Armouries collection and restored to their correct emplacements, some in firing condition, such as the rare ‘Armstrong’ 7” RBL in the West Haxo Casemate and the 64 pounder RML on high centre-pivot mounting.
There is also a 68 pounder SBML representing the armament of the period when the fort was designed but obsolete by the time it was completed about 1870.
Blacksmith’s Forge
The blacksmith’s forge is next to the ‘Armstrong’ 7” RBL in the West Haxo Casemate. When the armament was removed early in the 20th century, this casemate became a forge. It has been restored to working order for demonstrations and use by the museum technicians when required.
