Author: George Robartes, Lilburne’s Dragoones

Orders of the day, Volume 31, Issue 5, Sep/Oct 1999

It has occurred to me that a large number of would-be ‘musketeers’ in the Society have had no prior experience in firearms handling prior to joining its ranks, and in fact there are many whose first encounter with a firearm and ‘reason for acquisition’ has been purely for re-enactment use.

Although there is scheduled training and practice amongst the regiments for ‘tyros’ (novices), there must be the temptation for new owners to experiment and practise before adequate instruction is given by competent persons. I would also assume that the issue of a basic set of safety rules comes with membership of the musket block, but I for one have not seen a copy and perhaps something like this should be included in the ‘New Model Handbook’.

I have spent many years as a range safety officer with ‘full bore’ clubs, whose membership possesses everything from blackpowder revolvers to S.M.G.s (and everything in between), involved in Practical Pistol and Rifle/Shotgun, without any mishaps or personal injury to the members or myself, thankfully. But after only two seasons of re-enactment I have seen enough to make my hair stand on end!

Although no live rounds are being fired, blackpowder is still very dangerous, and in the quantities that some charge their weapons, an A.D. (accidental discharge) could quite easily maim or severely injure someone. Even the brisance from a priming charge only could easily result in the loss of one’s sight.

Although one or two of these rules may conflict with authenticity in 17th century drill, we are not trying to achieve authentic casualty rates which occurred during the E.C.W. due to poor equipment and training.

These rules should be made known to firers and non-firers alike.

These rules should apply in addition to those already in force with the Society and your regiment.

1. Don’t shoot an old gun until it has been dismantled and found safe by a competent person or gunsmith.
2. Don’t prime the pan of a flintlock or matchlock until the arm is pointed at the target at which you intend to shoot.
3. Don’t smoke whilst handling black powder, and keep ‘match’ well away.
4. Don’t hurry, on a misfire, to examine the piece until sufficient time has elapsed to be reasonably assured that a latent spark is not active.
5. Don’t pour powder directly from the flask into a just-fired barrel. Scour it, then use a measure - don’t ‘count’ the charge.
6. Don’t handle the equipment of others without specific permission.
7. Don’t shoot an unproofed gun, or one with dubious proof markings.
8. Don’t allow powder horns or flasks to remain exposed to the sun for extended periods of time. Don’t use non-safety type flasks.
9. Don’t place your finger in the muzzle of a gun to ‘bore check’. Perspiration and salt cause corrosion and rust.
10. Don’t use smokeless/double base powder in any amount in a black powder arm.
11. Don’t shoot any gun until you are absolutely sure there is no foreign matter in the barrel.
12. Don’t assume that any gun is unloaded. Check and then double check until you are absolutely sure that it is.
13. Don’t point any gun, even though you are sure it is unloaded, at anything you don’t intent to shoot. This is the prime safety rule in weapons handling and there are absolutely NO exceptions to this rule!
14. Don’t store any gun for long periods in a case or sheepskin sleeve - condensation will build up and cause rust.
15. Don’t store or carry your gun in an unlined canvas sleeve - canvas will destroy the finish.
16. Don’t leave your gun in direct sunlight for any length of time. When not in use, keep it in the shade.
17. Don’t lean over the muzzle when charging the piece.
18. Don’t pour powder into a barrel which has been oiled for storage. Clean it first, then use a priming charge to clear the touch hole and burn off the excess oil.
19. Practice drill/loading to become proficient before bringing black powder anywhere near the gun, to avoid careless mistakes.
20. Don’t drink and shoot or shoot and drink. They don’t mix!
21. Don’t overcharge your musket, and measure the charge. Suggested powder weight of charge should be 1/2 service charge, i.e. 12 bore 45 grains (13/4 drams) or LESS 20 bore 34 grains (11/4 drams) or LESS
22. Do enjoy your hobby!

Although much of this seems obvious or common sense, as a former Safety Officer of a Section 1 Firearms club (using live ammunition), I have already seen a number of accidents in my two seasons of re-enactment, which could have been averted by obeying one or more of the above rules.

In addition, misfires, during manoeuvres on the field, should be dealt with in the time-honoured way of laying the weapon on the ground, muzzle pointing down range, action uppermost, to allow the firearm sufficient time to ‘cook off’ safely; and not as is commonly seen, hurriedly and haphazardly reprimed in order that the firer may rejoin the fun. This will allow ranks to pass through safely with, perhaps, only the prospect of a burnt shoe or boot, and not face or hand! Let’s not see any more ‘accidents’.