The unit's origins dated back to 15 June 1851 with the formation of the 16th Garrison Artillery Brigade, consisting of troops located in Siberia.

On 29 January 1857, it became the Line Transbaikal Artillery Brigade (Russian: Линейная Забайкальская Артиллерийская бригада).

That year, it also took part in the Eight Nation Alliance intervention in the Boxer Rebellion that occurred in Qing China.

With the beginning of hostilities during the Russo-Japanese War, the brigade (at the time consisting of four batteries) became part of the Russian Manchurian Army in 1904.

[1] As part of the general mobilization of the Russian Imperial Army in August 1914, the 1st Siberian Rifle Artillery was transferred to the Kazan Military District.

As of 1901, the brigade consisted of the following (the date of each unit's establishment is given):[1] By 1907 it was reduced to a strength of six batteries, and divided into two artillery battalions.