Weapons Safety Guidelines
General
1. All weapons must be clean and in good order prior to use.
2. All weapons and cartridges will be inspected by the Commanders, Ordnance Dept, or their representatives prior to the first battle each day. Weapons found unserviceable will not be loaded or fired until approved as fully functional by the designated safety inspector.
3. No item will be permitted in the cartridge box except blank cartridges.
4. Blank cartridges must be carried on the batlefield in a leather cartridge box.
5. Percussion caps will only be carried in an approved cap container in a leather cap box.
6. Only black powder is permitted for use in any firearms.
7. Unguarded weapons should not be readily accessible to the public.
Before going into battle:
8. Secure Ramrod - Make sure the ramrod is secure in it's proper carrying position.
9. Secure Bayonet - Bayonets must be secured in their scabbards and the scabbard firmly attached to the waistbelt.
Rifles
1. All rifles will be loaded with black powder only, FFFg from a commercial, authorized source.
2. During loading, the muzzle must be pointed in a safe direction.
3. No ramrods will be drawn during battles.
4. All charges must be made up in paper cartridges, must be made prior to the battle, and will contain no more powder then the maximum charge of 60 grains. No fasteners may be used in making up any cartridges.
5. Made-up cartridges, caps, and black powder should be stored in a cool, dry place that is secure from access by children, flame, fire or any source of high temperature.
6. Caps must be stored in their original container. They may not be stored in glass jars, paper boxes or other unsafe containers.
7. All rifles will be cleaned at the end of each day.
8. All rifles will only be loaded when properly ordered to do so by the Officer in Charge, and at no other time when the public is present.
If the rifle fails to discharge:
9. With the muzzle of the rifle pointed up, remove the failed cap or cartridge and replace it with another.
10. If the rifle again fails to fire, repeat the above procedure, use your nipple pick to clear the touchhole, try again to discharge the rifle.
11. If, after three (3) tries, your weapon still fails to discharge, dump your powder and become a casualty.
Pistols
1. All pistols will use only FFFg black powder only.
2. Powder charges for pistols will not exceed 30 grains per charge.
3. Loading a pistol requires the specified charge of black powder and enough Cream of Wheat per chamber to seal the charge. The powder is poured first and the space above filled with Cream of Wheat, then pressed tightly with the loading lever. No grease will be necessary as the filler will stay compressed. Only wads made of florist's foam which crumbles easily may be used in place of Cream of Wheat, but they must be approved by the event coordinator(s) in advance and certified as such. Any other type of wad material is absolutely prohibited.
4. Those using pistols may carry extra cylinders provided they are properly loaded and carried securely in a leather pouch.
5. Pistols must always be carried in holsters with secured flaps or thongs when not in use.
Sabres, Bayonets & Knives
1. Edged weapons will only be drawn on the command of the Unit Commander.
2. No edged weapon will be leveled or pointed at or make contact with another participant within reach.
3. In a scripted combat, any edged weapon will be kept within 45 degrees of vertical at all times.
4. Sabres and bayonets will have dulled edges and points.
5. Knives may not be drawn on the field, and must be secured in their sheaths, securely fastened so the knife will not move or fall out of the sheath.
Cavalry
1. The owner of a horse is legally responsible for the actions of that horse, even if that horse is ridden by another person, unless other arrangements through liability contracts or rental/lease agreements have been made.
2. No horse shall be ridden or driven except by a reenactor in period attire.
3. All horse equipment must be used in a safe, humane and correct manner.
4. A "quick-release" knot will be used to tie horses by the halter lead. Horses shall never be tied by the reins and link-straps shall be fixed to the halter, not the bit.
5. Horses may not be left unattended in camp. A horse guard shall be posted while horses are on the picket line.
6. An inspection for cavalry shall include all weapons and tack used and all items carried onto the battlefield. The horse's hooves shall be inspected for loose shoes or lodged stones.
7. The use of stallions is prohibited.
8. Picket lines are to be kept taut. Saddled mounts should be tied so as to keep the saddle from catching the picket rope.
9. Mounted Cavalry shall keep a reasonable and prudent distance from their own infantry or artillery troops.
10. Riders should maintain a 30 foot distance from enemy ground troops and simulated casualties. When riding within areas where men are casualties all action is confined to a walk.
11. Mounted Cavalry will not fire at less then a 60 degree angle from their horses' ears and be aware of other troopers and horses around them.
12. Horses should not be chased if loose. They should be "hazed" in a non-threatening way towards other horses or their camp picket line.
13. A loose sling snap must be pushed under the mounted troopers sabre belt and not left dangling.
14. Hand to hand sabre combat between mounted participants can occur only if scripted in advance and approved by both Cavalry commanders and the Event Coordinator(s).
15. No person may take the reins of another rider's horse while the rider is mounted. If a rider becomes a casualty or prisoner, the person leading the horse shall use the lead strap, and the rider shall keep the reins.
16. Sabre combat between mounted and dismounted troops is prohibited.
17. Riders must not let drawn sabres drop below the wrist during any engagement.
Artillery (All - except Williams Gun)
1. Maximum blank powder charges for guns 3-inch bore or larger should not exceed 2 oz of Fg grade black powder per inch of bore diameter.
2. Prepare powder charges in advance using light-weight plastic baggies with end twist closed. Leave 2 inches of twists; cut off excess plastic. Fold twist to bag. Enclose bag in triple layer of double-thickness heavy-duty aluminum foil (six layers total). Take care not to break the plastic baggie. The bag prevents escape of powder dust and keeps granules from getting trapped under folds of aluminum to help insure complete burning. (Aluminum foil wormed out after firing often yields unburned powder, although this may appear impossible to those familiar with smaller calibre guns).
3. All gun crew members should wear ear protection devices.
4. No one should cross in front of the muzzle at any time during the cleaning, loading or firing procedure.
5. The ammunition box shall be located 25 feet behind the gun and attended at all times or securely locked. The interior shall be lined with a non-sparking material and the box itself shall be stoutly constructed of wood or metal.
6. No smoking at any time within the safety zone.
7. No drinking alcoholic beverages for 10 hours prior to serving on a cannon crew. Any crew member showing signs of the effects of alcohol or other drugs must be immediately replaced.
8. Charges shall be constructed so that they easily pass through a sizing gauge with finger or thumb pressure only.
9. No wadding is ever to be used.
10. Allow ample time between firing and reloading next powder charge.
11. Use black powder only. Inspect the gun tube regularly for signs of stress.
12. Maintain a 50-foot safety zone.
13. Walk. Do not run. Work at a smooth steady pace.
14. Have a trained gun crew. Run through a dry fire evolution at least twice before commencing operations with charges each day. Be sure each gun crew member performs the duties smoothly and accurately.
15. Make sure each gun crew member has knowledge of procedures and safety rules.
16. Use good common sense. If something is done wrong, or someone feels uncomfortable, STOP and THINK it through. Then act to correct it. The stop and think approach gives more opportunity to avoid accidents then the press onward-out-of-sequence method.
Williams Gun - LOADING AND SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR WILLIAMS GUN
Crew
(1)
Loader
(2)
Gunner
(3)
Primer
(4)
Gun Commander
(5)
Ammunition Carrier
(6)
Ammunition Carrier
(7)
Ammunition Carrier
(8)
Ordnance (Ammunition Box)
(9)
Section Commander
Equipment
2 Sponges with Ram
1 Breech Swab
1 Sponge Bucket
1 Set Bent Needle-Nose Pliers
1 Vent Prick
1 Loading Tray
1 Loading Paddle
2 Sets Heavy Insulated Gloves (Gunner and Loader)
2 Ammunition Chests
1 Tool Bag
1 Oil Can (Pam cooking spray)
1 Syringe
Inspection
(1)
Open breech and visually inspect inside/outside the gun tube.
(2)
Prick vent to clear it.
(3)
Cycle to insure mechanism is clear.
Loading Procedure
(1) A specific round will be called for such as “100-yards solid shot.” The Ordnance person will take the round from the box and place it in the Ammunition Carrier’s bag.
(2) The Gun Commander will say “Advance the round.” The Ammunition Carrier will take the round to the Gun Commander who will open the ammunition bag and visually inspect the round. If the round is correct, he will send the ammunition carrier to the gun. If it is incorrect, the Gun Commander will take appropriate measures.
(3) At the command “Load,” the Ammunition Carrier will place a round in the loading tray.
(4) The Gunner will set the safety and open the breech by rotating the operating handle in a clockwise manner to 6 o’clock.
(5) The Loader will place the loading tray (with round) in the gun and slide the round into the breech using a loading paddle. Remove loading tray. Step outside wheel and say “Loader Clear.”
(6) The Gunner will close the breech by rotating the hand crank to the 8:30 position in a clockwise manner until it engages the safety lever.
(7) The Primer will prick the charge through the vent (musket nipple) and then prime with a musket cap. He will step outside the wheel and say “Primer Clear.” The Gunner will say ”Ready.”
(8) The Gun Commander will give the command “Fire.”
(9) The Gunner will move the safety level and pull the hand crank to the 9 o’clock position firing the piece.
(10) Upon opening the breech after the shot, the Gunner will swab with a wet breech swab.
At the command “Rapid Fire” this procedures will be followed as quickly as safety permits. The command “Fire” will only be given once until the specific number of rounds ordered (i.e., four) have been expended. The order will thus be “Four rounds—Rapid Fire—Fire at Will.”
ANY MEMBER OF THE CREW MAY STOP THE GUN FOR A SAFETY CONCERN BY SHOUTING THE WORD “STOP.” The Gun Commander will discern the problem and take measures to correct it.
Misfire Procedure
At the command “The round has failed,” the loaded tube will be marked by standing implements on the outside of the wheel hubs by the Loader and Primer. The Gunner will not move keeping the Breach closed at all times.
Let three minutes elapse. The Primer will ground the implement. The Gun Commander will manually cock the hammer while the Primer re-pricks and primes the piece.
Giving the command “Fire,” the Gun Commander will manually fire the piece. If this does not fire the piece, the command “Do not advance,” will be given and the Loader and Primer will mark the tube by placing the implements on the outside of the hubs in a vertical position.
Let three minutes elapse. The Primer will flood the vent with water using a syringe. The Primer and Loader will flood the tube from the muzzle end using the rammer and cleaning poles and the sponge bucket.
Let ten minutes elapse. The Gunner will open the breech causing the wetted round to be washed from the chamber and into a water bucket. IF the round does not wash out, it may be retrieved with the bent pliers and dropped into the water bucket by the Gunner. The gun will then be thoroughly swabbed, inspected, and deemed ready to go back into action or withdrawn from action at the discretion of the Gun Commander.