3rd U.S. Regular Infantry Safety Regulations

The 3rd Regulars  adhere to very strict guidelines to ensure all unit members are properly trained in the use of black powder and the firing of their weapons.  The following is our safety regulations:

Enlisted
 

1.  No smoking! Both while pouring cartridges and when rifles are loaded.

 

2.  Know where your barrel is pointing, always.

 

3.  Everyone in the unit must have the loading procedure understood so well that at any time the newest recruit could go to another unit and give a proper class of instruction.

 

4.  Firing procedure (see #3)

 

5. Be aware of static electricity. No shuffling of feet when pouring cartridges.

 

6.  At the end of an event, always clean out your cartridge box to police up loose powder.

 

7.  No cartridge distribution or filling of cartridge boxes in or around campfire. NO throwing empty wrappers into the fire.

 

8.  Ear protection will be worn by all regardless! Mandatory!

 

9.  Cartridge Tins a must.  Those who don’t must get them prior to being allowed onto a firing line.

 

10.  If a weapon fouls in the field...An NCO or Officer, and the soldier go to the rear of the line and clear the weapon.

 

11.  If in a position where this is in view of the public, and cannot step out of ranks... i.e. living history...The weapon will be discretely poured out of the barrel, and reloaded. If still not firing, then weapon is not fired, but the soldier will go through all the motions, but will not pull the trigger. Powder will be faked, when pouring into the barrel. The public will not know he did not fire in a volley.

 

12.  All weapons will be reasonably in working order. No parts being loose. Screws are tight and stocks not cracked within reason. This will be of descression of the Officer in charge of the inspection.

 

13.  When firing at Rebels (or Volunteers) at distances of less then 50 yards, elevation will be mandatory.

 

14.  New Recruits must be cleared by an NCO/Officer after demonstrating he can load, fire the weapon safety.

 

15.  All weapons must have a sling...If one is not able to have one, a handkerchief or bandanna will be carried with the soldier to handle hot weapons at Battle Reenactments to avoid burns.

 

16.  In the event of a cook off or any kind of powder burn...The soldier and a NCO will tend to the injury immediately and seek any medical treatment that deems necessary. No heroes here. Check them out and determine if injury requires immediate attention.

 

17.  Weapons will only be handled by the soldier, NCOs or Officers. No public handling, unless one hand is kept on the weapon. Weapon is not to be released freely to anyone. You may let them heft the weapon, but not lose control of the weapon. Also the same for bayonets.

 

18.  All bayonet scabbards will have the brass tip on the end. No exceptions!

 

19.  Stacked arms will have a sentry posted to guard the stack.

 

20.  Nobody including Soldiers will be allowed to walk between stacked arms. Army Regulations.

 

21.  No weapons will be loaded at anytime in the camps unless, specified by an Officer for possible Rebel attacks. i.e., Cedar Creek Camp attack scenario.

 

22,  Cartridge contains no more then 80 grains of powder per cartridge. Actual quantity to be determined by Commander.

 

23.  Bayonets will be out of scabbard only when used on the weapons, for instruction, demonstration, or battle.

 

24.  Weapon should be discharged before taking any kind of hit in the field and falling to the ground.

 

25.  All that take a hit in the field will fall, but must be lay face down if a firing line is in back of them. This is to protect the face and ears from the firing.

 

26.  Only the Company will use the required Springfield and Enfield Weapons unless cleared by the Commander.

 

Non-Commissioned Officers

 

1.  Know how to conduct demonstrations to both the unit and the public that clearly show what a blank round can do, i.e., a coke can, paper target, etc., at different distances with both the pistol and the rifle.

 

2.  Know how to conduct weapons inspection.

 

a.  For cartridges, look for tape and string items that may become projectiles when fired.

 

b.  When rammers are sprung inspecting NCO just does a gentle tap with the rammer, not slamming it up and down in the barrel to hear that ting noise. This does damage the inside of the barrel!

 

7.  Train the men well enough that everyone in the unit has the loading procedure understood so well that at any time the newest recruit could go to another unit and give a proper class of instruction.

 

8. Firing procedure (see #9)

 

9.   Be aware of static electricity. No shuffling of feet when pouring cartridges.

 

10.  Ensure that at the end of an event, the men always clean out their cartridge box to police up loose powder.

 

11.  Ensure that no cartridge distribution or filling of cartridge boxes in or around campfire and NO throwing empty wrappers into the fire.

 

12. Ensure that ear protection is being worn by all the men! Mandatory!

 

13. Ensure equipment is up to standards, i.e. Cartridge Box, Weapon, etc.

 

14. Ensure that the men know that if a weapon fouls in the field an NCO or Officer, and the soldier go to the rear of the line and clear the weapon.

 

a.  If in a position where they are in view of the public, and cannot step out of ranks... i.e. living history...The weapon will be discretely poured out of the barrel, and reloaded.

 

b.  If still not firing, then weapon is not fired, but the soldier will go through all the motions, but will not pull the trigger. Powder will be faked, when pouring into the barrel. The public will not know he did not fire in a volley.

 

15.  Ensure that when firing at Rebels (or anyone else our Officers tell us shoot at) at distances less then 50 yards, elevation will be mandatory.

 

16.  Ensure that New Recruits know that they must be cleared by an NCO/Officer after demonstrating he can safely load and fire the weapon.

 

17.  Ensure that all weapons must have a sling...If one is not able to have one, a handkerchief or bandanna will be carried with the soldier to handle hot weapons at Battle Reenactments to avoid burns.

 

18.  Ensure that the men know what to do in the event of a cook off or any kind of powder burn

 

a. The soldier and a NCO will tend to the injury immediately

 

b. Check them out and determine if injury requires immediate attention.

 

c. Seek any medical treatment that deems necessary. No heroes here.

 

19.  Ensure that the men know that weapons will only be handled by the soldier, NCOs or Officers.

 

a. No public handling, unless one hand is kept on the weapon.

 

b. Weapon is not to be released freely to anyone.

 

c. You may let them heft the weapon, but not loose control of the weapon.

 

d. Also the same for bayonets.

 

20.  Ensure that all bayonet scabbards will have the brass tip on the end. No exceptions!

 

21.  Ensure that stacked arms have a sentry posted to guard the stack.

 

22.  Ensure that the men know that nobody including soldiers will be allowed to walk between stacked arms. Army Regulations.

 

23.  Ensure that the men know that no weapons will be loaded at anytime in the camps unless, specified by an Officer for possible Rebel attacks. i.e. Cedar Creek Camp attack scenario.

 

24. Ensure that men know that cartridge contains no more then 80 grains of powder per cartridge.

 

25. Ensure that the men know that bayonets will be out of scabbard only when used for instruction, demonstration, or battle.

 

26. Ensure that the men know what to do when taking a hit on the field.

 

a.  Weapon will be discharged before taking any kind of hit in the field and falling to the ground.

 

b.  When falling, must be laying face down if a firing line is in back of them. This is to protect the face and ears from the firing.

 

c.  If possible, loosen up equipment to ensure proper blood flow.

 

 

Commissioned Officers

 

1.  Ensure that the National Park Service Coordinator certifies the 3rd U.S. Co. K for black powder weapons twice a year.

 

2.  Ensure that they carry our certification documents at all events. Just for reference, if needed.

 

3.   Ensure that they and their NCOs know how to conduct demonstrations to both the unit and the public that clearly show what a blank round can do with both the pistol and the rifle.

 

4.  Ensure that they and their NCOs know how to conduct weapons inspection.

 

5.  Ensure all weapons are cleared before marching back to camp.

 

6.  Know where the unit’s barrels are pointing, always.

 

7.  Ensure that the NCOs train the men well enough that everyone in the unit has the loading procedure understood so well that at any time the newest recruit could go to another unit and give a proper class of instruction.

 

8.  Firing procedure (see #7)

 

9.  Ensure that NCOs constantly reinforce black powder safety around the camp.

 

10.  Ensure that ear protection is being worn by all the men! Mandatory!

 

11.  Ensure equipment is up to standards.

 

12.  Ensure that the NCOs know what to do if a weapon fouls in the field in a volley.

 

13.  Ensure that NCOs reinforce to the men that when firing at Rebels (or anyone else you tell us shoot at) at less then 50 yards, elevation will be mandatory.

 

14.  Ensure that NCOs know that an NCO/Officer must clear New Recruits after demonstrating he can load and fire the weapon safety.

 

15.  Ensure that NCOs know what to do in the event of a cook off or any kind of powder burn

 

16.  Ensure that NCOs reinforce to the men that weapons will only be handled by the soldier, NCOs or Officers.

 

17.  Ensure that NCOs have a sentry posted to guard the stack.

 

18.  Ensure that NCOs reinforce to the men that nobody including soldiers will be allowed to walk between stacked arms.

 

19.  Ensure that NCOs reinforce to the men that no weapons will be loaded at anytime in the camps unless, specified by an Officer for possible Rebel attacks. i.e. Cedar Creek Camp attack scenario.

 

20.  Ensure that NCOs reinforce to the men that cartridge contains no more then 80 grains of powder per cartridge.

 

21.  Ensure that NCOs reinforce to the men that bayonets will be out of scabbard only when used for instruction, demonstration, or battle.

 

22.  Ensure that NCOs reinforce to the men what to do when taking a hit on the field.