THE SEALED KNOT ARTILLERY HANDBOOK [2011]

Transcription

1 Equipment and tools Are the tools the correct length and size for the barrel? (check that the wood is not splintered) Condition of: Ramrod Dry mop Wet mop Search Linstock Pricker (check non-ferrous) Bucket (check if leakproof) Spare? Scoop (if applicable) Additional comments and recommendations Ready Box Separate powder box or separate compartment? (Check to see where powder is kept during battle) Lined with wood Secure when closed Flash proof cover Powder flask Touch hole cover (if applicable) (check how touch hole is covered when gun is stored) Muzzle cover for storage and travelling (if applicable) Additional comments and recommendations Page 17 of 17

2 Sample Gun Inspection Form Appendix 3 Name of Cannon Regiment Inspected by Date Barrel Type of barrel Proofed for Size of charge used at SK events Date last proofed (if known) Length of barrel: external Barrel condition: external Sleeved: yes/no Touch hole condition Internal Internal Diameter of bore Additional comments and recommendations Trail Type of trail Condition of trail Condition of wheels Condition of limber (if applicable) Additional comments and recommendations Page 16 of 17

3 Sample Personal Artillery Log Appendix 1 Tick tasks undertaken at the event Battle / Display Date Gun Captain and Regiment Powder Monkey Search Wet Mop Dry Mop Put up Powder Ram Linstock Prick and Prime Endorsed Firearms Certificate Expiry Date Shotgun Certificate Expiry Date Black Powder Licence Expiry Date Type of BP Licence and amount Sample Gun Log Appendix 2 Gun Log for Artillery Piece: Muster/display: (Name and size of gun) Date: Name Regiment Shotgun/Firearms Licence Black Powder Licence Gun Captain Search Wet Mop Dry Mop Put Up Powder Ram Prick and Prime Linstock Powder Monkey Amount of powder drawn for gun Powder Master: lb Date: Page 15 of 17

4 11 References for information on artillery Blackmore, H L The Armouries of the Tower of London- The Ordnance (1976) Her Majesty s Stationary Office Eldred, Thomas The Gunners Glasse (1646) Stuart Press Emberton, Wilfrid Skippon s Brave Boys (1984) Barracuda Books Ltd Firth, C H Cromwell s Army (1912) Methuen & Co Ltd Hibbert, Christopher Cavaliers and Roundheads (1993) Harper Collins Hyde, Edward History of the Great Rebellion (1702) Folio Society Newman, P R Atlas of the English Civil War (1985) Croom Helm Ltd Porter, Stephen Destruction in the English Civil Wars (1994) Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd Rogers, H C B Artillery through the Ages (1971) Seeley Service Co Scoffern, J Weapons of War (1858) The Richmond Publishing Co Unknown Equipping a 17th Century Army 13th Jan 1620 A March Publication Sherwood, R Civil Strife in the Midlands (1974) Phillimore & Co Ltd Smith, Thomas The Art of Gunnery (1643) Stuart Press Stevenson, David and Caldwell, David H Leather Guns and other Light Artillery in Mid 17th Century Scotland ( ) Unknown Royalist Battle of Hopton Heath (1643) Staffordshire Archive Service Wagner, Eduard European Weapons and Warfare (1979) Octopus Books Ltd Young, Peter Edgehill 1642 (1967) The Roundwood Press Ltd Young, Peter and Adair, John From Hastings to Culloden (1979) The Roundwood Press Ltd Page 14 of 17

5 Shot There were various types of shot used during the 17th Century: Grape shot was made up from a number of iron balls packed around a central column and covered in canvas which was then quilted by passing cord around the bag. Case shot was made up from a number of balls enclosed in a tin case. Both of these two types of projectile would have been used against formations of troops. Against walls and earth fortifications, the common shell or the well-known cannon ball would have been used. It was not unknown when all conventional ammunition had been used up for rocks and stones to be used instead. Artillery Information Type Calibre Length of Piece Weight of Weight of Shot Point Blank Piece Range 10 o Elevation ins. ft. lb. lb. yd. yd. Cannon Royal 8 8 8, Whole Cannon , Demi Cannon , Whole Culverin , Demi Culverin , Saker , Minion 3 8 1,500 4 Falcon The Artillery Inspectorate The main responsibilities of the Inspectorate are as follows. Gun Inspections Guns are inspected for safety by the Artillery Inspectorate every 3 years. Only those guns which have been inspected and deemed safe will be registered for use at Sealed Knot events. Guns which have not been inspected will be removed from the list and will not be permitted to draw powder. The Inspectorate will supply the Senior Powdermaster with a certified list of approved guns annually. (See Appendix 3 for sample gun inspection form). Ad hoc gun inspections will also be undertaken on the battlefield, to check wear and tear on equipment e.g. mops, tools, and the contents of ready boxes. This does not remove the Gun Captain s responsibility to ensure that the gun he/she is using is safe and 'fit for purpose' It is the gun owner s or keeper s responsibility to ensure that they make arrangements for a safety inspection, via the secretary, every three years. Safe Practice The Inspectorate also conducts safe practice inspections on the battlefield to check the operation of pieces according to the Code of Conduct and other guidelines in this handbook. Monitoring of gun drill in displays helps to reduce accidents caused through carelessness. Gun Captain's Test Gun Captains are tested by the Inspectorate to ensure competency in the command of pieces in displays. Advice The Inspectorate is willing to give advice on the construction or refurbishment of artillery pieces and has produced guidelines for this purpose. Members of the Inspectorate - see separate list on SK website Page 13 of 17

6 a. Tyre Streak b. Felloe c. Stock Hoop d. Axletree e. Tyre Bolts f. Rivets g. Tyre nails h. Spoke i. Nave or hub j. Linch pin Gun Types and Sizes (Length = length of barrel in feet) Base: Smallest of the standard list of cannon of the late 16C This term is also used for small-bore breechloader 1628 Bore 1.25 ins Length Bore 1.25 ins Length Robinet: Smallest of the culverin style. Firing a cannon ball of less than 1lb in weight Bore 1.50 ins Length Bore 1.50 ins Length Falconet: This gun is the 6th size in the culverin style 1628 Bore 2.25 ins Length Bore 2.25 ins Length Bore 2.25 ins Length Bore 2.0 ins Length Page 12 of 17

7 9 Seventeenth Century Artillery The Gun The following diagrams show the different parts of the gun and carriage and their correct terminology a. Button b. Breech c. Trunnions d. Muzzle e. Chase f. Vent field g. Vent h. Cascable a. Trail b. Trail eye for catching limber c. Capsquares for holding barrel in place d. Lifting handle on barrel e. Metal reinforcing bands and plates Page 11 of 17

8 The practical test will involve two days of battle. On the first day the candidate will be tested on his/her own or usual piece. On the second day the candidate will command an unknown piece and crew in the opposite army. Any candidate who fails the test shall present themselves to the same Inspectors, via the Secretary, at a later date for a re-test. In conducting the test, the Inspectors will have particular regard to competence in the following areas. a. Confidence Candidates should not be over cautious; confidence is needed in organising oneself and a gun crew. Make sure the crew know in which position they are going to be serving before arrival on the battlefield. When giving orders be prepared to shout in order to make oneself heard. Do not be afraid to repeat an order. Do not rely on the crew to notice and deal with problems - if anything goes wrong it is the responsibility of the Gun Captain. Be prepared to tell the crew if anything has been done incorrectly. Confidence is required in firing the gun; do not rely on observing the actions of other gun crews. The use of initiative is required if the flow of battle indicates the necessity of moving the piece. b. Communication The crew must be warned in advance of any intention to move the gun and the Battery Master informed. Orders must be clear and understandable. Likewise, orders received must be carried out as soon as possible and in a safe manner. Show courtesy to guns working on either side. c. Safety Safety is paramount. Candidates will be expected to know the correct distances for firing and between guns and from the public, together with the position of the powder box and linstock in relation to the gun. Page 10 of 17

9 The Powder or Ready Box The powder box is just as important as the gun, being essential to its operation. Powder must be stored in either a separate compartment of the box, or in a separate container with a flash proof cover. The box should be lined with wood. The following list of contents is recommended: Essential Match and spare Powder flask Pricker and spare Water for drinking and cleaning the gun NB: Water for drinking and cleaning the gun should be kept close to the Box. Non essential Touch hole cover Muzzle cover Shears for cutting wadding Squeezy bottle for flooding touchhole Linseed oil (for wood) Cleaning cloths 8 The Gun Captain s Test. Format A Gunner who wishes to take the Gun Captain's test must be recommended in writing (or ) to the Secretary of the Artillery Inspectorate by an experienced Gun Captain or, preferably, a Battery Master who can verify that the candidate meets the following requirements: 1. Thorough training in all aspects and duties of running an artillery piece and full knowledge of the current "Code of Practice for Gunners. A log should have been kept of their battle experience. (See Appendix 1) 2. Have served as a working member of a crew for a minimum of 10 battles (1 weekend counts as 2 battles) over a period of not less than one year and in addition to have commanded the piece under supervision on at least 4 occasions (separate weekends). 3. Suitable and responsible person to undertake the care and running of an artillery piece and command of a crew. They will be required to prove their ability to command a gun on the field and they will undertake to employ as crew only persons who are competent to carry out the duties assigned to them. 4. The candidate must produce the following documentation for checking by the Inspectors- A current Sealed Knot membership card A current Black Powder Certificate to the amount of powder required for the piece for a major battle, and a personal log endorsed by a Gun Captain in respect of each battle. Oral Test The oral test will include questions on, and requires, a thorough knowledge of the Code of Practice and the care of the piece and the equipment. Throughout the test, particular emphasis will be placed on all safety procedures. Practical Test Part One - The candidate will demonstrate, with the artillery piece and full crew, a dry run of loading and firing, movement of the piece and the procedure for a misfire. If the Inspectors are satisfied to this level the candidate will then go on to: Part Two - The command of the piece on the battlefield. If the Inspectors do not feel the test exposed the candidate to all aspects of battle re-enactment, arrangements may be made to complete the test at a more demanding battle. Page 9 of 17

10 6 Health and Safety Considerations All relevant Health and Safety guidelines must be observed in the operation of artillery and gun crews must be given the appropriate training, instruction and supervision in such matters. This is the responsibility of the Gun Captains. Guidelines Some human factors that can cause accidents: Lack of training Inexperience Disregard of safety rules Drugs and alcohol It is illegal to be in possession (including control) of a firearm whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The resulting risks could endanger not only the individual but the gun crew, other members and the public. Medical Conditions Members suffering from any of the following medical conditions should inform their Gun Captain, in order to facilitate any necessary treatment by the Sealed Knot Medical Service (SKMS) in the event of an accident on the field: Heart conditions Epileptic fits Asthma Diabetes Back problems Use of contact lenses 7 Gun Maintenance The Gun The maintenance of a gun is essential for its continued safe operation. All guns need to be thoroughly overhauled at the beginning of the season and to be the subject of routine maintenance after each battle. 1. The barrel must be free from rust. The presence of rust will affect the operation of the gun. Accordingly, the barrel should be washed out at the end of each day by forcing water up through the vent. After washing, the barrel should be dried and oiled. 2. Tools must be kept in a good state of repair. When making new tools, ensure that there are no protruding nails and that the pricker, scoop and nails are of a non-ferrous material. There should be no nails or screws in tools that are inserted into the barrel. The tips of mops must be well covered, as this is the most important part for extinguishing any embers left in the barrel. All wood used in tools should be splinter free. Avoid putting mops onto the ground where they can pick up small stones, dust, mud and grit. 3. Check all metal parts of the gun for rust, making sure that there are no seriously affected parts. Use a wire brush to remove any excess rust before treating and painting. Grease any moving parts. 4. Wheels should be checked for damage to the spokes, these should not be cracked or loose in their fittings. Make sure that the wood has not warped and the surrounding metal has not come loose. Touch up the wheels with paint or clean with linseed oil. 5. Place water into the bucket to check for any leaks and repair if need be. At the beginning of the season fill the bucket with water, allow to stand to let the wood swell. Keep the bucket water free from wadding etc, especially if using for washing out. 6. Faulty powder flasks can cause accidents. The principal cause of these is the failure of the catch. Check for any external damage to the flask, including the presence of any cracks. Flasks must have a weak spot, which will blow if the powder ignites. Page 8 of 17

11 Minimum Firing Distances - These distances apply to musket support pieces only, as defined above. 1. Rampart Guns are capable of particularly high elevation, allowing the cone of fire to be well above the heads of infantry, and can fire safely on high elevation at 20 yards. 2. The Ripplequin is effectively 5 musket barrels firing standard musket charges, and can therefore fire at musket safe firing distances, recommended as 20 yards in Musketeer s Handbook. 3. The minimum distance to the side between these artillery pieces and their companion musket blocks is 4 yards. Try not to place your piece much further out than this, or you will be more likely to be separated from the block, and therefore become vulnerable. Ensure that artillery pieces are positioned slightly to the fore of companion musket blocks, and that musketeers to each side are aware that the piece is about to be fired, before giving fire. 4. When firing in such close quarters, ensure that pieces are lightly wadded, and minimum ramming applied. Guns MUST be fired on HIGH ELEVATION only, and angled away from companion musket blocks. 5. Because of the close quarters in which these guns are used, the potential to have to move a gun whilst loaded is significantly greater. Only move loaded guns if it is essential i.e. more dangerous NOT to move, and do so on high elevation. Any such movement will be at the Gun Captain s discretion, it is their responsibility and their decision is final. All crew members should endeavour to be aware of potential dangers e.g. collapsing pike blocks, without sacrificing efficiency with regard to their individual position within the team. 6. NEVER leave a loaded piece unattended, or the touch hole unprotected. The Gun Captain should remain in the ready to fire position constantly, until the piece is discharged, and therefore made safe. Whilst waiting to fire, the Gun Captain should keep at least two gloved fingers over the touch hole cover to safeguard against stray sparks accidentally setting off the piece. 5 Roles and Responsibilities Gun Captain It is the Gun Captain's job to take full responsibility for the gun and the crew and to ensure that the cannon that they are using is safe and 'fit for purpose'. In particular he/she must have a full knowledge and experience of safe operating procedures and distances and the ability to communicate these to the gun crew. Gun Captains must be able to train and organise gun crews including encouraging them to wear ear protection. They must have awareness of the "state of the battle in the vicinity of their piece and the ability to take appropriate action to secure the safety of the piece, its powder and crew. They must have correct understanding of the causes of misfires and the ability to cope with them. They must also be able to take orders efficiently and, when appropriate, to act on their own initiative, overriding an order if it is not deemed safe. They must be able to prepare the gun thoroughly for battle, drawing the necessary powder. The Gun Captain needs to check that all the members of the crew who will be handling black powder have the required licence. A log must be kept of each day's action, recording crew roles and any incidents that took place. (See Appendix 2) Powder Monkey It is the Powder Monkey's job to guard the powder box, to ensure that the box doesn't come into contact with any stray sparks and that the lid is never left open. He/she is to give the charge and wad to the person who loads the gun and must make sure that they are sited up-wind from the person with the linstock. The Powder Monkey must have a black powder licence covering a sufficient quantity for the gun concerned. Linstock The role of the linstock is very important; as the person actually firing the gun this crew member must be fully aware of what is going on around the gun at all times. If, after the Gun Captain has given the command, Give fire, the line of fire becomes obstructed, e.g. by a sudden charge of horse or foot the linstock must hold fire and shout, Belay. On this command, the vent must be covered immediately. Likewise, if any other member of the gun crew gives the command, Belay, the linstock must hold fire. This is the only time a command by the Gun Captain may be countermanded. In some police areas the linstock user (firer) may require the relevant licence for that gun. Page 7 of 17

12 Close Order Battery Rules A. The Battery Master will call together the Gun Captains and run through Close Order Battery rules and ensure all Gun Captains are happy with the layout of powder boxes and linstocks, especially with regard to wind along the gun line. B. Gun Captains remain responsible for the safe operation of their gun and safety of their crew. C. Misfire - Gun Captain to cry misfire, raise his/her hand and ensure the Battery Master and adjacent gun crews are aware of the state of their gun before attending to the misfire on the Battery Masters instructions. D. No crewmembers to be allowed forward of gun axles until the Battery Master orders "Load" or "Reload your pieces". E. Powder box lids to be kept closed until the order to Load or Reload is called by the Gun Captain. F. Guns will endeavour not to be less than 6 ft apart. (Wheel hub to wheel hub) G. All gun crew to remain alert to the situation around them. Battery Master s orders (Close Order Battery) 1. Load your pieces-when gun loaded Gun Captain to inform the Battery Master by the agreed signal. 2. Inform Gun Captains of firing regime i.e.- Salvo, rolling volley or designated guns only. 3. Linstocks forward. 4. Prepare to give fire. Gun Captain to shout Have a care 5. Give fire - Providing they consider it safe to do so, the Gun Captain orders the gun to be fired. 6. Any misfires- Battery Master to enquire if there have been any misfires. If there are any they must be sorted out in line with the Battery Masters instructions. 7. Reload your piece. 15. Musket Support Pieces Definition 1. The only pieces approved by the Artillery Inspectorate, as musket support pieces, are Rampart Guns and the Ripplequin. Both of these types of piece have unique qualities that allow them to operate safely at much shorter firing distances, and therefore allow them to be used effectively as musket support pieces. 2. Musket support means accompanying infantry into the combat area, and firing alongside musket blocks. It is the Gun Captain s responsibility to ensure that minimum firing distances are appropriate to their piece, and pieces must withdraw if these distances cannot be maintained. See below. Gun Captains must liaise with Musket Officers as appropriate. 3. When not operating as musket support pieces, i.e. as forward battery or when firing independently, both of these types of artillery will abide by the same safe firing distances as all other artillery pieces. In this case, elevation is at the Gun Captain s discretion. This does not preclude other types of artillery piece from supporting infantry, or going forward with their respective army, where space allows. They must, however, ensure the standard minimum distances for all artillery pieces are adhered to at all times. They must not assume that they can fire at musket support piece distances, merely because they are moving forward and supporting infantry. Page 6 of 17

13 1. Searching the piece. The worm or search (a tool like a corkscrew) is placed into the barrel and rotated to pull out any debris left from a previous firing. This is repeated until the search is clean. 2. Wet mopping. The mop should be dipped in the water bucket. The mop is then placed down the barrel to clean it and extinguish any embers left from a previous firing, rotated against the breech and retracted. If there are any pieces of debris left in the barrel, it will have to be mopped again. 3. Dry mopping. After the barrel has been wet mopped it will then have to be dry mopped before it can be loaded. If this is not carried out, either the gun will be too wet to fire, or powder is likely to stick to the inside of the barrel and become a hazard. 4. Venting. From the moment that the dry mop is inserted into the barrel, the gun will be sealed by thumbing the vent. The touchhole must remain sealed until the gun is charged, pricked and primed. Covering the touchhole prevents the powder being ignited by any stray sparks, especially if the charge has broken during insertion. 5. Placing the charge. For a successful firing, the charge must be placed at the breech. This is done by pushing it carefully to the back of the barrel with the ramrod, with the barrel at a safe elevation. This must be done slowly and gently. 6. Wadding. The secret of producing a loud bang lies in the wadding, not just on the amount of powder used. The wadding must be of a biodegradable nature and free from any roots, mud or grit (see Code of Practice). The wad should be placed on top of the charge, and lightly tapped home with the ramrod. 7. The piece is now ready and the crew member ramming should shout Piece ready to the Gun Captain, who should acknowledge the call. 8. When the Gun Captain decides that the situation is right the command, Prick and prime, will be given. The crew will then carry out the following tasks: 9. Pricking. The pricker (a small non ferrous spiked hand tool) is pushed down the touch hole to pierce the charge. The ease of inserting the pricker should indicate the tightness of the charge, and is a good sign of a possible misfire. 10. Priming. Once the charge has been pierced by the pricker, the vent hole will be primed. Draw powder into the flask's measure and close the valve, black powder is then poured into the vent hole. The vent hole will then be covered again, and held in place by a crew member until the gun is fired. The crew member covering the vent/touch hole is to raise their arm to indicate to the Battery Master and all around that the gun is live. 11. Once the gun is live, it should be fired as soon as safely possible. When the Gun Captain decides that it is safe to fire, the command Prepare to give fire will be given, followed by Have a care - this serves to warn anybody in the firing line that the gun is going to be fired. 12. Firing the Piece. The crew member holding the linstock should walk forwards towards the gun and wait until the Gun Captain gives the command Give Fire. The vent hole will be uncovered and the linstock should be brought into contact with the priming powder without delay. At this point the gun should fire; if it doesn't, the misfire will be handled by the Gun Captain in accordance with the Code of Practice. 13. After firing, the process is repeated from the command, Make ready. 14. Close Order Battery Guns placed at less than 15ft apart. (Wheel hub to wheel hub) Pre-requisites- Can only be called for by the appointed Battery Master. Battery Master must be a senior Gun Captain. At no time will any gun in the Battery act independently, except where an individual Gun Captain considers it unsafe to load or fire. Battery Master should have no more than 6 guns under his/her control in Close Order Battery Page 5 of 17

14 14. Guns will be charged only with the quantity of powder appropriate to the safe use of the gun and the size of the bore; this charge to be in a single bag. Only powder issued by the Sealed Knot is to be used. 15. Wadding must be of hay or cut grass, free from extraneous matter such as roots, mud and grit. Soft bio degradable paper is now allowable (for the small bore musket type artillery pieces that have to loose load their powder). Straw is no longer to be used. The thickness of the wadding should not exceed the bore of the gun. The wadding will be rammed fully onto the powder charge. Care should be taken to ensure the gun is not overwadded. 16. No projectile will be fired from any gun. 17. The vent (touch hole) should always be thumbed correctly during loading. Venting must start after the wet swab. 18. The tools of the piece should be kept in good condition. The searcher should adequately clear the face of the breech, all wet and dry mops should have water retentive surface on the end as well as the sides and be a good fit to the piece. 19. Care should be taken not to sacrifice safety for the sake of speed. A rate of fire not more than one round every two minutes should be the norm. Misfires 20. In the event of a misfire the Gun Captain should cry, Misfire and raise his/her hand aloft to indicate that a misfire has occurred. The gun shall not be re-primed until a period of at least two minutes has elapsed. The Inspectorate recommends that fuse be used as a first resort to clear a misfire (fuse to become available from Powder Masters at powder issue). Re-priming should be from a gloved hand, not a container, in case of flash back. Re-pricking and priming should occur only at the Gun Captain's discretion. 21. Guns that cannot be fired will have the vent thoroughly flooded with water. The gun should then be stood down for at least 20 minutes. Care should be taken to ascertain the reason for any misfire or hang-fire. 22. Before pulling the load, the gun should be removed to a safe section of the battlefield, well away from the battle and any member of the public. The person (normally the captain) pulling the load must have a powder licence. On no account will a loaded gun be removed from the field or left unattended at any time. The gun should not be reloaded until the Gun Captain is satisfied the fault has been corrected. General Considerations 23. Tools are essential for serving a gun, and should not be used as weapons when under attack 24. At all times, the safety of the crew and other members of the Society are the responsibility of the Gun Captain. 25. Any Gun Captain not acting in accordance with this Code of Practice, or in a manner dangerous to the gun crew or others, will be removed from the captaincy of the gun and the gun withdrawn from the field unless a suitably qualified replacement Gun Captain is available. Such action shall be without prejudice to further disciplinary measures. 4 Instructions and Procedures for Gun Crews Prior to the use of a gun on the battlefield, the Gun Captain will allocate jobs to individual members of the gun crew. When working on a gun, never place a hand over the end of a tool being used in the barrel, and never walk in front of a loaded gun. On the command Prepare the piece, the crew will re-check the tools, place the powder box at a safe distance, make sure that the water bucket is sufficiently filled and light the match. On the command Make ready, the crew will proceed to load the gun. Page 4 of 17

15 3 Artillery Code of Practice Responsibilities 1. Only Sealed Knot qualified gun captains may command guns. The only exception to this is where a prospective Gun Captain is undergoing training however, they must have a qualified Gun Captain with them in a supervisory capacity at all times. All persons using firearms and/or gunpowder are required, at all times, to comply with the relevant legislation. (Firearms Acts, Explosives Act, Gun Barrel Proof Act etc.) 2. Any cannon used on the battlefield must first have been registered with the Board of Safety via the Artillery Inspectorate. It is the gun owner s or keeper s responsibility to ensure that they make arrangements for a safety inspection, via the secretary, every three years. 3. The Gun Captain commands the gun and is responsible for the discipline of the crew. 4. All members of the gun crew should adhere to the dress regulations. Everyone working the piece must wear gauntlets. Safe Keeping of Gunpowder 5. Each Gun Captain will draw the powder from the magazine prior to each battle, and will be responsible for the safe handling and use of the powder and gun on the field. The Gun Captain will also ensure that all unused powder is returned to the magazine after each battle. No unused powder will be retained after an event. Only in exceptional circumstances can another Gun Captain draw powder for the gun, but they must serve on that piece, during the battle for which powder has been drawn. Anyone handling powder must have the appropriate licence - these jobs are: captain, 'powder monkey', put up, rammer, 'prick and prime', and in some police areas the linstock user (firer) may require the relevant licence for that gun. 6. The individual to whom the powder is issued is solely responsible for its safe keeping. 7. All powder containers (horns, flasks, ready boxes etc.) will be fitted with a flash-proof closure. Ammunition boxes should be lined with wood and have no exposed iron or steel on the inside. No container of powder will be left open or unattended at any time. Ready boxes containing powder must not be used or deployed within 15 yards of any member of the public. Nothing should be carried in the same compartment as the powder. Safe Distances 8. In good weather, guns will endeavour to maintain a safe distance of 15 feet (4.5m) apart, however, in windy or blustery conditions this distance should be increased to prevent ignition sparks being blown onto other guns. It will be the responsibility of the Gun Captain to assess the danger and place the gun at a safe distance from others. If conditions are not considered to be safe, the gun is not to be fired. This is not to be confused with 'Close Order Battery' operation which will be dealt with later in this handbook. 9. Guns will not be discharged within 15 yards (13.5m) of any member of the public. Gun Captains should be particularly aware of all field troops and areas containing members of the public who are forward of the axle line of the gun; distances should be increased appropriate to the piece of Artillery. 10. The minimum distance at which Foote can accept fire from Artillery is 35 yards (32m). Cavalry must not be fired upon at less than 45 yards (41m). These distances may be increased appropriate to the piece of Artillery. Steps will be taken to alert all field troops before a gun is discharged in their direction. Guns will only be attacked with prior agreement between the attacker and the Gun Captain. (Ref. Rules of Engagement). During training, distances should be checked by use of a tape measure. 11. Nobody will approach an ammunition box with a linstock or any lighted match. 12. When firing, the crew should be behind the axle line of the gun. Loading 13. No gun will be loaded off the battlefield except under the direction and supervision of a responsible officer during organised training. All guns will be unloaded before removal from the battlefield. Page 3 of 17

16 CONTENTS 1 Introduction 2 Basic Requirements for Artillerymen 3 Artillery Code of Practice 4 Instructions and Procedures for Gun Crews 5 Roles and Responsibilities 6 Health and Safety Considerations 7 Gun Maintenance 8 Gun Captain Test 9 17th Century Artillery 10 The Artillery Inspectorate 11 References for Information on Artillery Appendix 1 Sample Personal Artillery Log Appendix 2 Sample Gun Log Appendix 3 Sample Gun Inspection Form 1 Introduction The purpose of this guide is to act as an introduction to the use of artillery in Sealed Knot events. The primary aim is to ensure the maximum degree of safety, consistent with the production of historically convincing and entertaining displays. This aim sometimes conflicts with historical accuracy and entertainment but compromise is not possible; the emphasis must always be upon safety. An artillery piece must never be used in the belief 'that it will probably be all right'. If an artillery crew is not in control of the situation, the performance must stop - and stop safely. This handbook is intended to help members to become, or remain, safe, expert and entertaining users of artillery. In the current safety-conscious environment, to ensure that the Society continues to be able to use artillery, it is important that there is a framework of rules and practice which is safe, understandable, enforceable and simple. Non-artillery users who need to understand the way artillery is used should also find this handbook useful and informative. Updates to the Artillery Handbook will be published on the SK web site and in Orders of the Daye. 2 Basic Requirements for Artillerymen 1. Current membership of the Sealed Knot 2. Current black powder certificate: Acquisition Only or Acquire and Keep, covering the possession of a sufficient quantity for the gun concerned. Such a licence is required by anyone who handles black powder. 3. Soldiers' clothes (i.e. breeches and New Model Army coat or regimental pattern doublet). Natural fibres are recommended throughout, including underclothing, to ensure minimum injury from any fire-related incident Shirtsleeve Order is NOT permitted. 4. Hat. 5. Leather gauntlets (essential). Artillery may wear welding gauntlets for safety reasons, but these must be dyed black, and not have any modern colouring or trimming. 6. Gun Captains only: current Shot Gun Certificate (for bore less than 2 ) or Firearms Licence (for bore 2 or greater). 7. Ear plugs, preferably shooting type. Page 2 of 17

17 THE SEALED KNOT ARTILLERY HANDBOOK 2011a Names of Inspectorate removed July 2016 now to be found on SK website. Copyright, The Sealed Knot Ltd Equity Court, Millbrook Road East, Southampton SO15 1RJ