A Note From The Commander Cincinnati Compatriots... The Manual of Arms that we are practicing within the Nolan Carson Memorial Color Guard is consistent with the Von Steuben Order of Drill from 1777. However, in an effort to streamline the commands to Weapons Bearers and Color Bearers, we have determined that both shall follow the same commands and conventions. We recognize that when we are acting as a unit representing only the Cincinnati Chapter we will have no difficulty or issue with our protocols. However, we must expect occasions when we are integrated in a larger unit at State and National events, Commanded by their Color Guard Commanders, that we will encounter deviations to the practice we are accustomed to and adapt to the orders & commands of the senior color guard commander present. We make this notice to you in an effort make you aware that their will always be differences of interpretation. 20 March 2018 2
Table of Contents Section Page # Basic Drill & Ceremony Individual Commands 4 Manual of Arms (Musket) 10 Safety Inspection Procedures 24 Musket Firing Procedures 31 Musket Mis-Fire Procedures 39 Manual of Arms (Sword & Polearms) 44 The Colors 52 3
Basic Drill & Ceremony Individual Commands 4
Color Guard Attention Come to erect position with musket Trigger Guard facing the rear or flag staff down at right side. Hands down the body. 5
To the right (or) left Dress Everyone except right or left most position (depending on command) will turn head in that direction and adjust their body in line so straight line is achieved. Ready Front Heads are turned to front, body in position of attention. 6
To the Right Face / To the Left Face Swivel on heels to right. Move RIGHT foot back in-line with left to complete move Swivel on heels to left. Move RIGHT foot forward in-line with left to complete move 7
To the Right About Face Swivel on heels and swing body 180 deg to the right. Adjust RIGHT foot back in-line with the left to complete move. If Carrying a Musket: Place right hand on cartridge box/right-hip at the same time as bringing right foot to pivot. Keep hand in position until move is completed with right-foot adjustment, then drop hand to the side. 8
(Guide around the room) To the Front - March Guardsman steps off with his LEFT foot and begins to walk at a normal pace. DO NOT emphasize the left foot or stomp your feet when marching. Mark Time - March Begin to march in place, adjusting your position forward or back relative to flag stands, etc. as needed. Halt (from Mark Time) Cease marching in place with last leg in motion brought to ground. Halt At this word the soldier stops short on the foot then advanced, immediately bringing up the other without stamping. Rest (from Order) One may move about keeping left foot in place while holding barrel of musket at the right side of body. 9
Manual of Arms (Musket) 10
Musket Nomenclature In these figures we shall present fundamental nomenclature for the British 2 nd Model Short Land Musket almost always referred to as the Brown Bess (upper) The purpose of this section is simply to present fundamental external identification of various components of the weapons to enable a better understanding of the Manual of Arms that will be covered in extended detail in the following sections. Pan Feather Spring Cock Hammer Butt Stock Trigger & Trigger Guard Wrist or Pistol Grip Stock Swell Lock Barrel Rammer Muzzle Flash Guard (Safety) The brass shield prevents powder flash in the pan from injuring shooter or bystanders from powder burn. Hammerstall (Safety) The leather envelope that slips over the hammer preventing inadvertent hammer strike and accidental firing. 11
Drill & Ceremony Positions ATTENTION ORDER ARMS SHOULDER ARMS POISE ARMS 12
Drill & Ceremony Positions (cont d) PRESENT ARMS MOURN ARMS ADVANCE ARMS 13
Shoulder - Firelock Grab musket with at the swell with the left hand and swivel up to left shoulder, lock facing to the left. Left hand cradles butt. Right hand releases and drops to side. 14
Present - Arms (from Shoulder) Come to position of Poise. Rotate firelock so lock is facing to your right. Lower firelock as comfortable as possible-slightly left of center-while simultaneously stepping back with your RIGHT foot. 15
Poise Firelock (from Shoulder) Right hand grabs musket below lock. Left hand releases butt and musket is swung to body front in front of face. Lock is facing away from body. the RIGHT hand grasps the musket just above the lock with the pinkie touching the feather spring 16
Order Firelock (from ) shoulder Right hand brings musket into left shoulder, lock facing to left, while left hand cradles butt. With left hand guide musket down to right side. Release musket with left hand and support with right. 17
Order Firelock (from Present) Come to position of Poise. With left hand guide musket down to right side. Lock facing to Left Release musket with left hand and support with right. 18
Shoulder Firelock (from Present) Bring RIGHT foot in line with left while...... rotating musket to Poise position. Right hand brings musket into left shoulder, lock facing to left while left hand cradles butt. Right hand drops to side. 19
Present - Arms (from Order) Grab firelock with right hand and swing up to position of Poise. Rotate firelock so lock is facing to your right. Lower firelock as comfortable as possibleslightly left of center- while simultaneously stepping back with your RIGHT foot.. Those Guardsman Without Flag or Musket Stand at Attention. No Hand Salute 20
Mourn Arms (after FIRE or Present) Slowly rotate musket down until barrel muzzle opening is resting on your LEFT foot. Interlock fingers above the butt and lower head move right foot even with left. 21
Advance Arms (Parade Only) Come to Poise position. Left hand brings musket to left side, lock facing to right and trigger guard facing forward Right hand grabs musket trigger guard between thumb and forefinger, last three fingers cradle the lock at hammer. 22
Recover Firelock The right hand grasps the wrist of the musket & left hand grasps the swell Swing the musket across the body, catching the swell of the musket in the left hand, simultaneously stepping back with RIGHT foot. The RIGHT foot is placed behind the left, turning the body slightly to the right. 23
Safety Inspection Procedures 24
Half-Cock- Firelocks Shoulder firelock. Bring musket to position of RECOVER. HALF COCK Lock Replace Hammerstall and Close Hammer 20 March 2018 25
Open Pan Close - Pan At Shoulder Arms, reach across body with right hand and flip open pan. Maintain position with hand above open pan. Briskly snap the pan shut with right hand. Bring right hand back to right side of body. 26
Search - Arms Right hand grabs stock wrist while sliding left hand up stock. Lower musket to rest butt on ground at left side. Right hand extracts the Rammer, flipped over and head placed in Muzzle. Rammer is dropped when inspecting officer passes by. 27
Search Arms (cont d) After inspection, return rammer to musket. The musket is raised up with the left hand and grasping the swell and the wrist with the right hand. Shoulder Firelock then executed. Note: This time the commander can conduct a check of half-cock triggers. 28
Secure -- Firelocks With the RIGHT hand grasp the firelock at the wrist With the LEFT hand release the butt and grasp the stock swell Rotate the barrel forward to the ground with the left hand 20 March 2018 29
Musket Firing Procedures 30
Standing Safety Guideline ALL FIREARMS ARE TO BE HANDLED AS IF LOADED If at any time an unsafe situation is identified by a participant in the rifle squad or an observer, the command CEASE FIRE should be given at which time the rifle squad will cease their actions and return to the poise position. The rifles/muskets should be maintained with the muzzle positioned above head level and pointed upwards until further instruction is provided. EACH OF US ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANOTHER S SAFE FIREARMS CONDUCT 31
Standing Safety Guidelines Use and type of Powder is an area where there should be some discussion during a color guard meeting. There are three different recommendations: Recommendation #1 Muskets will use FFFg and no more than 90 grains Rifles will use FFFg and no more than 70 grains Recommendation #2 The grains of black powder loaded should be no more than 1.5 times the caliber of the rifle/musket with a maximum load of 100 grains. Recommendation #3 Muskets will use FFg to a maximum of 100 grains Rifles will use FFg to a maximum of 90 grains FFFFg shall only be used in the flash pan and never down the muzzle (NRA muzzleloading class) Firearms are to be loaded directly from a paper cartridge and NEVER from a powder horn. Paper cartridges shall be discarded and not used as wadding. Powder should only be kept in paper cartridges. No plastic cartridges or containers are allowed due to potential static electricity charges. A ball or other projectile shall never be loaded into firearm. BLANK CARTRIDGES ONLY Wadding/patches are never to be used for Color Guard purposes. Ramrods and/or other objects shall not be inserted into charged barrels. Members participating in the gun salute should keep the black powder cartridges in a leather covered pouch or box with a flap that completely covers the opening. The pouch or box should be worn external to the members clothing (i.e. no cartridges should be kept in pockets or under coats). 32
Prime & Load Move to position of RECOVER and Half Cock lock. Take charge from pouch. Bite off charge tip. Prime Pan, close Hammer. 33
Prime & Load (cont d) Rest butt on ground and pour remaining charge down barrel. ONLY POWDER GOES DOWN BARREL, NO PAPER. Come to position of POISE. 34
Make Ready Rotate lock so it faces to the RIGHT Full cock the lock using the right thumb. Remove Hammerstall. Maintain musket in same orientation 35
Present Take a set back with the RIGHT foot while leveling the musket. Finger off of the trigger. Maintain eyesight down the side of the barrel while looking at the muzzle. Barrel should be 45 degrees to the ground ATTENTION! LEFT-HANDERS: ALWAYS FIRE AS RIGHT-HANDED (NO EXCEPTIONS) 20 March 2018 36
Fire! Maintain eyesight down the side of the barrel looking at the muzzle. You may not feel the charge go off! ATTENTION! LEFT-HANDERS: ALWAYS FIRE AS RIGHT- HANDED (NO EXCEPTIONS) 20 March 2018 37
After Firing Musket If The Salute Is Complete... Return to RECOVER.. HALF COCK lock, replace Hammerstall Wait for next command. 20 March 2018 38
After Firing Musket If Continuing With Additional Volleys Return to RECOVER. HALF COCK lock & replace Hammerstall Wait for next command. 1. Return to RECOVER Brush pan with wisk,. Pick touchhole or wipe hammer face as necessary 2. Wait for Load Firelocks command. 3. Continue with the firing procedures as commanded. 20 March 2018 39
Mis Fire Procedures 40
Failure to Spark Pan Dump pan powder. Wait at least 3 seconds. Dump barrel powder to front Bring musket to RECOVER and HALF COCK firelock, Then Follow Next Command. 41
Failure to Spark Pan (cont d) If continuing with more charges Wait at least 3 seconds Check pan for powder At PRIME and LOAD command, Refill pan if necessary If refilling pan discard or store unused powder in your cartridge box Follow next command. DO NOT RELOAD BARREL Complete firing procedures as commanded. 42
Wait at least 3 seconds Dump barrel powder to front. Flash in the Pan If salute is complete Bring musket to RECOVER and HALF COCK firelock Follow Next Command Clean pan & touchhole with a brush & pick and load pan at PRIME AND LOAD command. DO NOT RELOAD BARREL Complete firing procedures as commanded. 43
Flash in the Pan If Continuing With More Charges. Bring musket to RECOVER and HALF COCK firelock Follow Next Command Wait at least 3 seconds Clean pan & touch hole with a brush & pick and load Pan at PRIME AND LOAD command. DO NOT RELOAD BARREL Complete firing procedures as commanded. 44
Manual of Arms (Sword & Polearms) 45
Shoulder Arms Carry Sword Sword is unsheathed and held to right side of body, tip up. Guard faces out. Order Firelock Order Firelock 46
Sword Present - Arms Right hand brings sword guard below chin. Blade faces left Lower sword point to the right side of the body, blade faces to the rear. 47
Attention Shoulder Firelock (From Order) Bring polearm erect on right side of body. 1. Grab the staff with the right hand. 2. Swing staff across body into left shoulder. 3. Staff off of the ground. Grab staff with left hand while simultaneously dropping right hand to side. Rest polearm in left shoulder pocket. 48
Shoulder Firelock (from Present) Bring polearm vertical with left arm, while bringing RIGHT foot forward to be even with left. Raise staff with left arm. Rest polearm in left shoulder pocket 49
Order Firelock (from Shoulder) Reach across body with right hand and grab staff with right hand. Release left hand and bring staff to right side. Staff on ground. 50
Order Firelock (From Present) Swiftly bring polearm vertical while simultaneously bringing RIGHT foot forward, even with left foot. Bring staff to right side, staff on ground. Support staff with right hand while simultaneously bringing left hand to side. 51
Present Arms (From Shoulder) Reach across body with right hand and grasp staff. Briskly lower staff to 45deg angle in front by outstretching your left arm, simultaneously step back with the RIGHT foot. Those Guardsman Without Flag or Musket Stand at Attention. No Hand Salute 52
Present - Arms (From Order) Reach across body and grab staff with left hand. Briskly lower staff to 45deg angle in front by outstretching your left arm while simultaneously stepping back with RIGHT foot. Those Guardsman Without Flag or Musket Stand at Attention. No Hand Salute 53
The Colors 54
National Colors Always Vertical Always on the Right Eagle Finial always looking forward Never Bowed or Presented before other Colors or Entities Never on the Ground 20 March 2018 55
Shoulder Your Firelock (From Order) Grab staff with left hand and move staff upward with staff resting on RIGHT shoulder and height permitting, staff off of the ground. Keeping staff straight up grab staff with right hand. Drop left hand to side. 20 March 2018 56
Shoulder - Firelock (From Present) Sharply swing staff to vertical in front of body, while simultaneously bringing RIGHT foot forward, even with left foot. Lower left hand on staff while simultaneously bringing staff to right shoulder. Grab staff with right hand while bringing left hand to side. 20 March 2018 57
Order Firelock (From Shoulder) Swing left hand over to staff. Grab staff with left hand while easing right hand. Lower staff on right side of body and rest staff on ground. 20 March 2018 58
Order Firelock (From Present) Briskly swing staff to vertical, while simultaneously moving RIGHT foot forward to be even with left foot. Briskly swing staff to vertical, while simultaneously moving RIGHT foot forward to be even with left foot With left hand guide staff to right side Release left hand and support with right. 20 March 2018 59
Present Arms (From Shoulder) Swing left hand across and grab shaft while maintaining grip below left hand with right hand. Sharply bring flag to center of body while lowering to 45deg angle. Note: National Colors Remain Vertical. Step back briskly with the RIGHT foot. Those Guardsman Without Flag or Musket Stand at Attention. No Hand Salute 20 March 2018 60
Grab staff with right hand while bringing left hand across body. Present Arms (From Order) Bring staff to center of body. Lower staff to 45deg angle. Note: National Colors Remain Vertical. Step back briskly with the RIGHT foot. Those Guardsman Without Flag or Musket Stand at Attention. No Hand Salute 20 March 2018 61
Present Arms (National Colors) From shoulder reach across body with left hand and grasp staff just above right hand Grasp staff higher with left hand, swing staff to front in VERTICAL position while simultaneously stepping back with RIGHT foot. 20 March 2018 62
Post National Colors (from Present) Bring RIGHT foot even with left, place staff in stand. Return to position of attention. 20 March 2018 63
Post National Colors (From Shoulder) Swiftly swing staff to vertical position in front of body while simultaneously bringing RIGHT foot in line with left. Swing staff in front of body, keeping staff vertical. Place in Stand. Return to position of Attention 20 March 2018 64
Post All Other Colors (From Present) Swiftly swing staff to vertical position in front of body while simultaneously bringing RIGHT foot in line with left. Place in stand. 20 March 2018 65
Post All Other Colors (From Order Or Shoulder) Bring left hand above right hand by 1. Position staff in front of body. Place in stand. 20 March 2018 66
Retrieve National/All other Colors Grab staff from stand, left hand over right approximately 1 separation. Bring staff to right shoulder. Drop right hand and grasp staff while simultaneously bring left hand to side. 20 March 2018 67
Mourn Arms (From Shoulder) Mourn Arms with Regimental Colors ONLY NOT THE NATIONAL COLORS See Next Page for Instruction 20 March 2018 68
Mourn Arms (From Shoulder) Reach across body with left arm and grasp staff above right hand. Lower the staff until the Regimental flag drapes over the ground. *Note: if flag will get soiled due to wet conditions, only lower staff until flag is near the ground. Return to shoulder is performed in same manner as Shoulder Firelocks(all other colors) 20 March 2018 69
To The Front March (Colors) 1. If possible, march at the Shoulder position. If flag is too heavy, support staff, left hand over right with staff centered on body. 2. Keep staff near vertical as best as possible. 3. Note: based on ceiling height adjust staff to a comfortable level. 70
71