Manuals of Arms

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Infantry

 

Click here to read the 1764 Manual of Arms.

Click here to read the Light Infantry Manual.

Click here for Video Demonstrations.

 

 

 

Naval Firing Procedure

 

HM Gunboat Insolent - Two Gun Swivel Firing Procedures revised 03-19-2007

The gunboat has a swivel 4’ from the bow and the removable mount is 5’ from the stern.
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At the command ‘LOAD FORWARD/STERN/ALL PORT/STARBOARD side gun(s)’ from the coxswain, the gunner(s) will perform the following steps:
- 1- Rotate the cannon barrel to a position 90° to either port or starboard. Bow gun can fire in fwd semicircle, though never less than 90 degrees toward the boat. Aft gun can only fire perpendicular to the hull.
- 2- Clear the vent area
- 3- Run the vent brush down the vent
- 4- Cover the vent with a gloved hand (creating a vacuum)
       NOTE: The vent will remain covered until the charged is pricked (STEP 13)
- 5- Insert the worm and search the tube ensuring that all cartridge remnants have been removed
- 6- Insert the wet sponge ensuring the implement has traveled to the back of the tube
- 7- Insert the worm and search the tube ensuring that all cartridge remnants have been removed
- 8- Insert the wet sponge ensuring the implement has traveled to the back of the tube
- 9- Raise the back end of the barrel to drain off any excess water from the tube
-10- Take a charge from the storage bag and remove it from its protective container
       NOTE: After this step, the aft gun’s aim cannot change from one side of the boat to the other. This would create an extreme hazard to the other crewmen.

-11- Place the charge in the mouth of the barrel while holding the charge between
       the thumb and forefinger
  -12- Push the charge to the back of the tube with the rammer. Ram as prescribed, being careful not to crush the cartridge.
  -13- Prick the charge with the vent pick
  -14- Insert a quill into the vent
  -15- Gunners individually call out ‘FORE GUN IS LOADED’ and “STERN GUN LOADED’
  -16- At the command ‘FORWARD/STERN/ALL GUNS FIRE’
       (a) Crew members will lean away from the gun(s) and cover the ear closest to the gun
       (b) Gunner will touch the linstock to the quill. (Note that a long-stem (BIC) type lighter may be used for safety considerations in the restricted area of the boat.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
The coxswain will act as the gun commander/safety officer; it will be his/ her primary purpose to ensure the guns will be loaded and fired safely.
If both guns are to fire, the bow gun will fire first and the stern gun will fire one second later or as directed by the coxswain.
The bow gun will only fire when the firing angle is either perpendicular port to stbd through the nose
The stern gun will only fire when the firing angle is 90º or 270º relative bearing. Firing at any other angle will expose the crew to excessive concussion and blast effect.
The man/men in the fore rowing station must maintain relative firing position and provide station-keeping for the boat.
It is noted that dual gun operations dictate a more rigid conduct of operations due to the proximity of the guns to the powder source and the concussion zones.
Any boat occupant can immediately halt gun operations