Safety Policy

GENERAL GUIDELINES

CONTINENTAL LINE Safety Guide to Black Powder

These guidelines apply to the use of Black Powder firearms for historical demonstration purposes by Continental Line (C.L.) Member Units. "Member Units" mean an organization that is recognized by the C.L. and is officially enrolled as such, or any unit that is a guest of the C.L.

"Demonstration" means the loading and firing of a black powder weapon, for the purpose of public education, under the direction of a Safety Officer.

Every Member Unit is required to have a Safety Officer. This individual is thoroughly knowledgeable of the Safety Standard and Guide to Black Powder. This individual is directly responsible for the weapons and/or Artillery Piece and how they are used by the members of their own Unit. This individual is answerable to the C.L. for any compromise or violation of these Guidelines, and has signed a statement declaring such.

Only two types of weapons may be fired by Member Units: muzzleloading black powder flintlocks, and full-scale muzzleloading cannons. Pistols may NOT be fired in demonstrations except by Mounted Troops with approval of the Field Commander.

Edged weapons, swords, knives, tomahawks, etc. must always be considered dangerous. Except for use as a camp tool, they should never be unsheathed.

The two types of weapon demonstrations permitted are; Individual Demonstrations and Tactical Demonstrations.

Individual Demonstrations are demonstrations during which a single weapon is loaded and fired by a member or, in the case of a cannon, a crew of members. Tactical Demonstrations are those where two or more weapons are loaded and fired under simulated battle conditions. This includes but is not limited to, reenactments in which opposing forces face each other.

An individual who operates a muzzleloaded black powder weapon in an Individual Demonstration must be trained and the weapon inspected prior to use by a Safety Officer. A Unit participation in a Tactical Demonstration (including reenactments) must have present, during the demonstration, at least one member who is a Safety Officer.

INDIVIDUAL DEMONSTRATION

1. The only weapons authorized for Individual Demonstrations are muzzleloaded black powder shoulder arms. These include flintlock muskets, rifles, musketoons, and carbines. Pistols may be demonstrated only by Mounted Troops.

2. A minimum of two members must be present for an Individual Demonstration. One to operate the weapon and another to provide crowd control and watch for safety. Either member may address the public. Each must be at least 16 years old. All Individual Demonstrations must have prior approval of a Safety Officer.

3. The Individual Demonstration must be held in an area as detailed in the appended diagram for Individual Demonstration Range

4. The weapon being demonstrated is subject to inspection by a Safety Officer using the appending checklist.

5. Blank charges are not to exceed the maximum load designated in the appended Table of Maximum Loads for the particular weapon used.

6. Muskets are to be loaded from pre-wrapped paper cartridges prepared according to correct period procedures. Aluminum foil, coin wrappers and metal staples, etc, are not to be used.

7. Wadding is permitted for Individual Demonstrations but NOT in Tactical Demonstrations.

8. The demonstrator must carry cartridges in an authentic leather or leather and wood block cartridge box, worn well around on the right hip. The demonstrator must take care that the flap is kept down except when the cartridge is being withdrawn. Extreme care must be taken when carrying a belly box.

9. Rifles may be loaded with powder from horns, however, the powder of the main charge must first be poured into a powder measure conforming to the Table of Maximum Loads, then poured into the muzzle. The main charge must never be poured directly from the horn into the barrel. Riflemen must carry loose powder in a well maintained horn that is kept stoppered.

10. When loading and firing, the demonstrator will follow the correct manual for the type of weapon being fired. Riflemen who do not have a prescribed manual will follow safe procedures.

11. It is the responsibility of the non-shooting demonstrator to see that the shooter observes correct loading and firing procedures.

12. At NO time is the demonstrator to surrender control of the weapon to a member of the public. A visitor may feel the heft of the weapon while the demonstrator holds the sling. Likewise, edged weapons must remain under the control of the demonstrator.

13. Tomahawk and knife throwing demonstrations are permitted under supervision of the Safety officer. The appended Artillery Demonstration Range will be the safety standard.
    At NO time will any member of the public be allowed to fire a weapon and at no time will a demonstrator carry live ammunition.

TACTICAL DEMONSTRATION

Tactical Demonstrations are inherently more dangerous than Individual Demonstrations for several reasons;

1. The number of demonstrators involved.

2. The close proximity of demonstrators to each other.

3. In the case of reenactments, the fact weapons are being discharged at opposing forces.

4. The greater difficulty in observing safety violations.
   To assure maximum safety for demonstrators and visitors, the following standards will govern tactical demonstrations:

Tactical Demonstrations;

1. Participants in the Tactical Demonstrations shall be limited to members of the Continental line.

2. Shooters must be at least 16 years old.

3. Each unit shall have at least one member who has been appointed as a Safety Officer.

4. Weapons, ammunition, ammunition containers and weapon drill are subject to inspection by a Safety Officer who has the power to require correction of incidents of non-compliance with these Guidelines.

5. Tactical Demonstrations will be held only under the direct supervisor of a Safety officer. The scenario for each demonstration is subject to the Safety Officers prior approval.

6. Tactical Demonstrations will be held in areas of relative open spaces allowing clear fields of vision for participants.

7. Weapons and blank rounds of ammunition used in Tactical Demonstrations shall conform to the specifications laid down in these Guidelines. Powder loads shall not exceed the amounts specified in the appended Table of Maximum Loads.

8. There shall be no simulation of hand-to-hand combat.

9. Opposing forces shall not discharge weapons at each other unless there is an interval of at least 30 yards between them.

10. Weapons shall not be fired in the general direction or the public unless there is an interval of at least 100 yards. In all cases, weapons shall be aimed over the heads of all spectators.

11. Ramrods shall not be used and rounds are not to be wadded.

12. Bayonets shall not be fixed, and they shall remain in their scabbards. Hatchets, knives, and tomahawks shall never be unsheathed and the blade edge must always be covered. The exception for this bayonet rule will be by the command of the Field commander only.

13. Artillery crews shall follow the manual for their pieces, observing all safety procedures specified above. Guns will be operated by a minimum of four crew members. Small pieces (3 pounders, and below) shall not be discharged at opposing forces at ranges of less than 50 yards. Larger pieces (6 pounders and above) shall not be discharged at opposing forces of less than 100 yards.

14. Mounted participants shall be strictly monitored. The safe handling of horses shall be the responsibility of the owners at all times. Horses shall be tethered in designated areas when not in use. During tactical demonstrations, mounted troops will maintain a ten yard buffer zone between themselves and dismounted troops and men portraying casualties, at all times.

15. All Safety Officers have the power to order immediate correction of safety violations.

16. The Senior Safety Officer’s power shall extend to stopping the demonstration if they feel that is a necessary course of action.

17. Under NO circumstances shall a weapon be discharged anywhere other than the Individual Demonstration or the Tactical Demonstration. Weapons shall not be discharged in camp or anywhere off the field of the demonstration.

18. Demonstrators are not to surrender control of their weapons to members of the public or the public to fire a weapon.

19. At NO time during the demonstration will the ramrod be used to clean the barrels. The ramrod will never be removed during demonstrations.

HANDLING BLACK POWDER AMMUNITION

Members will observe the following rules for the transportation and storage of blank ammunition.

1. Blank ammunition will be prepared off-site before the demonstration is held.

2. Loads shall not exceed the loads specified in the appended Table of Maximum Loads for the particular weapon to be fired.

3. Cartridges will be paper-wrapped, rolled on a former of the proper caliber for the weapon being fired, and secured with glue or string. METAL CLOSURES ARE NOT PERMITTED.

4. Ammunition should be transported in bulk, in secure, non-sparking boxes. Demonstrators must carry rolled cartridges in cartridge boxes that are in good repair, have secure leather flaps, and are kept clean of loose powder granules.

5. Member Units are required to store ammunition in a safe fire free area and out of the reach of the public.

CARTRIDGES WILL NOT BE GIVEN AWAY TO THE PUBLIC.

MUSKET INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Before the inspection, the weapon is to be confirmed to be unloaded by springing the rammer. 

The Stock;

1. No cracks or splits.

2. Butt plate, trigger guard, etc., fit tightly with no burrs that would snag clothing or hands.

3. If pin-fastened barrel, no missing pins, & tight.

4. If band-fastened barrel, springs work smoothly & not bound by wood.

5. Two-piece stocks must have sections securely joined.

6. No splinters or rough edges.

The Lock;

1. The lock works smoothly.

2. All hammer positions are firm and solid.

3. The half-cock (safety) position works properly.

4. The trigger pull is proper, not a hair trigger nor too heavy.

5. Rifles with set triggers must be adjusted properly.

6. Locks must fit properly into the stock and snugly against the barrel.

7. Insure the leather or lead holds the flint securely in the lock jaws.

8. The pan is clean and in proper relation to the touch hole of the barrel.

9. All muskets must have a well fitting and tight metal flashguard.

10. The frizzen must not be deeply gouged. The frizzen must move properly against the frizzen spring and fits tightly against the pan.

11. Leather frizzen covers (hammer stalls) are highly recommended

The Barrel;

1. The flint is not striking the barrel.

2. The touchhole is clear with no signs of corrosion.

3. The ramrod is straight and fits properly.

4. The muzzle is not dented or worn.

5. Sights on rifles are not loose and are fitted as not to catch on clothing or hands.

6. Musket bayonet lug is securely welded and the bayonet fits easily and latches with a positive twist lock.