Sample Rules for Black Powder use in Battle Reenactments

RULES FOR MUSKETEERS AND CAVALRY

Edited with permission from Jeff Vincent and the Sealed Knot Society

It is the responsibility of each individual to follow these rules. It is the responsibility of the Commanding Officers and their nominated officers to provide training and guidance and also to enforce these rules.

In General:
Muskets are loaded with measured amounts of powder, either from paper cartridges, a bandolier of flasks (wooden/tin chargers), or a flask with a measure spout poured into the hand or a separate measure.
All gun users are inspected & registered by the Black Powder Safety Officer or an authorized subordinate, before going onto the field.
All parts of the gun must function and be in safe condition.
Guns are loaded and fired on the field, no loaded guns off the field except for drill and demonstrations.
Keep your gunpowder safe, away from the public and fire.

The Specific Rules:

1. Musketeers and cavalry must have fully functioning weapons and all required saftey equipment, and have been passed by the Black Powder Safety Officer or an authorized subordinate before firing a weapon at an ECWSA battle or display. The law, common sense about firearms safety and ECWSA rules will be adhered to at all times.

2. It is important that all musketeers have a thorough knowledge of: (a) The correct loading procedure. (b) What should be done in the event of a misfire. (c) How to carry a loaded musket. (d) 17th Century musket drill.

3. Powder for the main charge must be carried in either: (a) Measured paper cartridges, which are to be carried in a leather or canvas bag. The bag should be closable and protected from stray sparks. (b) Flasks on a bandolier, being made from wood with tight fitting wood or pewter tops, must be flash proof. (c) A main-charge flask with measured pour spout, with a flash proof closure - measured powder then being poured into a measure or the hand, then into the barrel, NOT directly from poweder flask. Powder for priming must have a flash proof closure.

It is important that all these items are checked before every battle for damage and are kept clean and in good working order.

4. All musketry weapons must be provided with a working lock, serpentine screw or sparking flint, and pan cover.

5. Muskets must be cleaned at the end of each day, or after two consecutive misfires caused by fouling.

6. Muskets must be kept in good repair i.e. make sure that the pan cover is tight fitting, the stock is in good repair, barrel firmly seated in the stock, etc.

7.If ramrods are used: Musketeers and their officers are reminded that before giving fire a check must be made and an order given to "Secure your Scouring Stick (Ramrod)".

8. A musket must never be aimed at a person or animal and the recommended safe firing distance of twenty yards should be adhered to.

9. All stocked weapons must be fired from the shoulder, care should be taken to see where the musket is aiming and that the face is protected from any flashback.

10. If wadding is used: Only soft toilet paper or florists foam (NOT green styrofoam) is to be used for wadding and the thickness of this should not exceed the bore of the gun. If paper cartridges are used, the paper should not be used as wadding due to danger from powder grains becoming entrapped in the folds.

11. No weapon shall be loaded off the battlefield except under the direct order of a responsible officer during organised training or drills. Weapons will be unloaded before units march off of the battlefield, and all match extinguished. Unloading consists of successfully firing a blank charge, completely emptying the main charge and pan onto the ground, or pouring water down the barrel and emptying the slurry onto the ground.

12. Musketeers will not engage in hand to hand combat whilst carrying lit slow match or with a loaded musket, and should not "take fatalities" while loaded -- fire first, control your match and musket as you fall, then "die".

13. Muskets must be organised to fire by command only, unless specific orders are given for skirmishing or sniping. Musketeers should attempt to stay in groups of at least two musketeers, even when the unit is scattered during battle reenactment, and check each other and nearby soldiers for safety problems.

14. Musketeers must only use muskets with barrels that are in current proof, or that have been tested by firing ball or a double charge off the field.

15. The minimum musket bore permitted is .45 caliber, and the charge for this size must not exceed 60 grains. Larger caliber muskets must not exceed a charge of 120 grains, with a maximum load of 100 grains strongly recommended for 20-12 gage barrels.

16. Everyone using guns on the battlefield must be registered with the Black Powder Safety Officer. Each unit that contains musketeers or artillery is to have a Unit Powder Box that is for storage of all gunpowder when in camp, unless a centralized magazine is set up by event organizers.. Said powder box is to be kept secured, away from public view (and fires!), in a tent, as a common sense precaution. The individual to whom powder is issued is solely responsible for its safe keeping and must not transfer possession to others not approved by the Black Powder Safety Officer. Musketeers should make certain that all powder is returned to safe storage after battles or drill, and that flasks, bandoliers and other containers of powder are secure from public access and any potential spark or flame.

17. No propellant other than commercial black powder will be used in any weapon - no Pyrodex or smokeless powder. Projectiles must not be fired.

18. The use of pistols will be permitted only on the specific authority of the Black Powder Safety Officer. Wadding should be used to hold down the pistol charge, and an extra-length commerical-style loading ramrod may be required if the provided ramrod is too short or narrow. Loaded pistols should be carried with the barrel up and pointed away from all people. Reenactors will not engage in hand to hand combat whilst carrying a loaded pistol.

19. On horseback, loaded carbines will be carried ordered upon the right thigh preparatory to discharge; they must not be left to hang from the cross belt.

20. When pistols are carried and used on horseback they will be kept in holsters secured to the saddle. A loaded pistol will not be returned to its holster except in the case of a misfire, when care will be taken to ensure that the pan is empty and the source of ignition removed. Pistols will not be left in the holsters of an unattended horse.

21. Treat all guns as potentialy loaded and THINK SAFETY.

RULES FOR ARTILLERY

1. Artillery must have fully functioning weapons and all required saftey equipment, and have been passed by the Black Powder Safety Officer or an authorized subordinate before firing a weapon at an ECWSA battle or display. The law, common sense about firearms safety and ECWSA rules will be adhered to at all times.

2. It is important that all artillery crew members have a thorough knowledge of: (a) The correct loading procedure. (b) What should be done in the event of a misfire. (c) How to transport a loaded cannon. (d) 17th Century artillery drill.

3. Powder must be carried in measured cartridges, made of aluminum foil. Cartridges are to be carried in: (a) A leather or canvas bag, which should be closable and protected from stray sparks. (b) Cartridge boxes made from non-sparkable material. Priming flasks should have a measure and a flash proof closure.

It is important that all these items are checked before every battle for damage and are kept clean and in good working order.

4. All artillery weapons must be provided with a working ramrod, sponge, sponge-bucket, and linstock with match.

5. Cannons must be cleaned at the end of each day, or after two misfires if due to fouling..

6. Cannons and carriages must be kept in good repair, i.e. make sure that the barrel is free of obstructions, the ramrods and sponges are in good repair, wheels and carriage parts in working order, etc.

7. Artillery crews and their officers are reminded that before giving fire a check must be made to confirm the cannon is aimed properly and all ramrods and sponges have been returned to their places. All artillery crew must be a minimum of 1 foot behind the muzzle of the cannon before firing. An audible like "Have a Care!" or "Prepare for Artillery Shot!" must be given before firing during battles or demonstrations -- particularly the first shot of the day!

8. A cannon must never be aimed at a person or animal and the recommended safe firing distance of fourty yards should be adhered to.

9. All stocked weapons must be fired from the shoulder, care should be taken to see where the musket is aiming and that the face is protected from any flashback.

9. No weapon shall be loaded off the battlefield except under the direct order of a responsible officer during organised training. Weapons will be unloaded before units march off of the battlefield. Unloading consists of successfully firing a blank charge, or pouring water down the barrel and completely emptying the main charge and pan onto the ground.

10. Artillery crews will not engage in hand to hand combat whilst carrying lit slow match or manning a loaded cannon.

11. Cannons must only use barrels that are in current proof, or that have been tested by firing ball or a double charge off the field.

12. The minimum cannon bore permitted is .75 caliber, and the charge for this size must not exceed 150 grains.

13. Everyone manning cannons on the battlefield must be registered with the Black Powder Safety Officer. Every unit is responsible for keeping their black powder in a safe location, unless a centralized magazine is set up by event organizers. The individual to whom powder is issued is solely responsible for its safe keeping and must not transfer possession to others not approved by the Black Powder Safety Officer. Artillery crews should make certain that all powder is returned to safe storage after battles or drill, and that flasks, bandoliers and other containers of powder are secure from public access and any potential spark or flame.

14. No propellant other than gunpowder will be used in any weapon . Projectiles must not be fired.

US Government specs for Black Powder Storage Box.

WAC 296-52-70065 Explosives day box.

(1) A day box for explosives must:

Be fire, weather, and theft resistant

Be used in a manner that safely separates detonators from other explosives

Be constructed of a minimum of number 12 gauge (.1046 inches) steel

Be lined with at least either 1/2-inch plywood or 1/2-inch masonite-type hardboard

Have doors that overlap the sides by a minimum of one inch

Have appropriate ground slope for drainage

(2) Hinges and hasps must be attached by:

Welding

Riveting

OR

Bolting nuts on the inside of the door

(3) One steel padlock, which does not need to be protected by a steel hood, having a minimum of five tumblers and a case hardened shackle of a minimum of 3/8-inch diameter is sufficient for locking purposes.

Stamford's ROF		ECWSA		Free Artillery Co'y