USV Safety Regulations
G. Any repairs made to a musket must be cleared
with the unit First Sergeant who will then determine if the
subject arm will be allowed on the field. Any musket which fails
any of the above standards or is in any manner questionable from
a safety standpoint will not be used in the event and will be
removed from camp to avoid any possibility of its ending up on
the field.
H. Once a unit has completed musket safety
inspections, an elevated volley will be fired to iusure that
nothing that can become a projectile remains in the bore of any
musket prior to marching for battle.
I. After safety inspection of each
individual musket has been completed by unit Personnel, muskets
will then be Capped off and fired under supervision of the
company commander and/or first sergeant as follows:
1. The second rank will be faced about, muskets held at a 45 degree angle to the ground with the muzzle aimed at a leaf or blade of gasss. Order will be given to prime and to fire by file with unit officers and NCO's observing each musket muzzle as the piece is fired to ensure that the percussion cap blast moves the leaf, thereby indicating that the flash channel is clear.
2. After capping off; the second rank will again face about to its original position. Order will then be given to load and fire by file, with unit officers and NCO's again observing each musket to ensure that each piece has functioned properly. The point of this exercise is to ensure that there is no potential projectile in the bore of any musket carried onto the field.
3. Only after this procedure has been followed will a unit be permitted to march for battle.
J. This musket safety inspection procedure will be accomplished prior to or during dress parade each day of an event.
SOP -1 SAFETY REGULATIONS -
BREECHLOADING CARBINE
SAFETY INSPECTION POINTS - ANNEX A(2)
These procedures also
apply to all single-shot breechloading rifles.
A At inspection arms, the bore will be
visually inspected for obstructions. After inspecting the bore,
the inspecting officer should then close the breech and check the
nipple area. The nipple should be fully seated into the
breechblock. If a nipple does not appear to be fully seated, it
should be checked with a nipple wrench. The nipple must screw
fully into the breech block with no undue resistance. A nipple
that does not screw in fully is indicative of cross threading.
One that is loose may indicate an improper or loose threads. Any
carbine with a nipple or breech block that is questionable will
not be allowed on the field. The nipple area should be
bright and clean, free from all dirt and residue.
B. The carbine should then be checked to
insure that the half-cock notch is operable. Any carbine that
fires from the half-cock position will be excluded from the event
and removed from camp. Under no circumstances should the hammer
be struck forward with the heel of the hand by the inspecting
officer or in any manner tampered with. Even pressure only should
be applied to test the half-cock position, at the same time
checking for side to side play.
C. The carbine hammer must solidly engage in
the full cock position with no play in the lockwork. Any
breechloading carbine that does not properly function in the full
cock position will not be used in the event and will be removed
from camp. The face of the hammer should be inspected to insure
an even strike on the nipple. A solid circle indicates a solid
strike on the nipple where a crescent or figure-eight mark
indicates an off-center strike, possibly resulting in cap
fragments breaking off on impact creating a severe hazard to
the eyes!
D. Carbine stocks should be inspected for
substantial structural cracks. Any arrn with stock cracks that
could pose a safety hazard may not be used in the event and will
be removed from camp.
E. The carbine should be returned to the
soldier in the half cock position.
F. Any repairs made to a breechloading
carbine must be cleared with the unit First Sergeant who will
then determine if the subject arm will be allowed on the field.
Any arm which fails any of the above standards or is in any
manner questionable from a safety standpoint will not be used in
the event and will be removed from camp to avoid any possibility
of its ending up on the field.
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