Projectiles For Reenacting

[bayonet]

To the guy that asked why i don't i just head over to Ukraine...etc. Because i have already done that as a US Marine, and PMC in Iraq. General Sherman was wrong in his Quote "war is Hell" Hell is just hell, War is much worse would have be more correct.

Lot of Vets here. Ah so you were a Mercenary too huh, don't think there was any of them in the American Civil war!

 

[bayonet]

this is kind of what I'm looking for. It i would be the only one on the field firing. spectators behind me. No one standing opposite of me. It would be used to show the method of loading the rifle. Would mainly be serve the purpose of helping the cartridge keep shape and be more resistant to deforming during handling. I tried cotton balls to test it but they came out a flaming ball out to about 20 feet. I would be firing it out of a Enfield using the Boxer type cartridge

ooooohhh stick with them flaming cotton balls then, so much more entertaining!

 

[tmorr]

this is kind of what I'm looking for. It i would be the only one on the field firing. spectators behind me. No one standing opposite of me. It would be used to show the method of loading the rifle. Would mainly be serve the purpose of helping the cartridge keep shape and be more resistant to deforming during handling. I tried cotton balls to test it but they came out a flaming ball out to about 20 feet. I would be firing it out of a Enfield using the Boxer type cartridge

To get the squared off boxer look you can use two squares of toilet paper to simulate the look/space of the round in the tube. The TP can be rammed (living history only with no one downrange) with the cartridge paper giving the report of your Enfield a nice bang. The TP will exit the barrel, often times smoldering/flaming, but will only go a few feet before harmlessly falling to the ground where it can be extinguished if necessary. You can easily and correctly demonstrate the "load in 9 times" etc. Did this for years at Stones River National Battlefield using NPS drill, which is very close to the original manuals with a couple minor adjustments for safely.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

To get the squared off boxer look you can use two squares of toilet paper to simulate the look/space of the round in the tube. The TP can be rammed (living history only with no one downrange) with the cartridge paper giving the report of your Enfield a nice bang. The TP will exit the barrel, often times smoldering/flaming, but will only go a few feet before harmlessly falling to the ground where it can be extinguished if necessary. You can easily and correctly demonstrate the "load in 9 times" etc. Did this for years at Stones River National Battlefield using NPS drill, which is very close to the original manuals with a couple minor adjustments for safely.

I always see this… "we use a modern modified drill for safety." What does this mean, exactly?

I've studied period drill for years, and I've read countless firsthand accounts. I haven't discovered much of anything at all where soldiers practicing period drill were causing friendly injuries. What's the thinking behind trying to alter a drill/reinvent the wheel that was designed and worked for literally millions of soldiers?

 

[RedRover]

I always see this… "we use a modern modified drill for safety." What does this mean, exactly?

I've studied period drill for years, and I've read countless firsthand accounts. I haven't discovered much of anything at all where soldiers practicing period drill were causing friendly injuries. What's the thinking behind trying to alter a drill/reinvent the wheel that was designed and worked for literally millions of soldiers?

To speak very generally, the government owns the parks, and they like to adopt various rules. For example, with flintlocks, ALL must have a flash-guard mounted on the lock, and a leather "frizzen stull" to act as an additional safety. My own experience being, that when someone gets hurt, in any way, and ends up generating paperwork, a "modification" must be made, even thought, as you mention, it is generally USER error.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

I would echo the sage advise from yall above. from an artillery perspective. Solid rounds can be fired if the circumstances are right. In no part of any scenario where there are large groups of people should a projectile be anywhere on the field. It should be aimed at an embankment/berm/etc and all safety concerns should be met. The bowling ball may look funny but can do a lot of damage.

Needless to say: "Canister trumps all!" And only sample demos for display.

 

[tmorr]

I always see this… "we use a modern modified drill for safety." What does this mean, exactly?

I've studied period drill for years, and I've read countless firsthand accounts. I haven't discovered much of anything at all where soldiers practicing period drill were causing friendly injuries. What's the thinking behind trying to alter a drill/reinvent the wheel that was designed and worked for literally millions of soldiers?

It's been a while and I don't have the manuals in front of me but if I recall it's primarily the "return rammer" step. I believe the original manuals have the ramrod remain in the barrel until that command is given. Whereas the rammer is returned to the channel, but not seated, at the end of the "ram cartridge" motion in the NPS drill. Then "return rammer" is used to fully seat the ramrod in the channel with your pinky. Again, it's been a while for me.

 

[thomas aagaard]

I always see this… "we use a modern modified drill for safety." What does this mean, exactly?

I've studied period drill for years, and I've read countless firsthand accounts. I haven't discovered much of anything at all where soldiers practicing period drill were causing friendly injuries. What's the thinking behind trying to alter a drill/reinvent the wheel that was designed and worked for literally millions of soldiers?

I always worry when I hear that said beacuse I seen some very stupid and dangerous changes made... for safety.
a common change in Sweden is removing the spend caps as the first step in (re)loading... and anyone here with experience with artillery will yell that this is stupid.
Then some people then put the mouth to the muzzle and blow air down the barrel... to blow out the embers and clear the channel to the piston...

------

But there are some changes I do believe are rather common that only involve removing entire "times" fully.
and/or taking a "motion" and moving it to the next "time"
(based on "modern" reenactor drill books, and watching lots of vids from mainstream events on youtube over the years)

When not ramming the blank cartridge.
4.Charge CARTRIDGE.
people empty the cartridge into the muzzle and drop it on the ground
5, 6 and 7 is replaced with simply stamping the butt of the musket on the ground to seat the powder.
I believe this is the normal way to do it...

Another change I believe is common with mainstream units is exactly when you full cock the musket.
By the book it is done as the last part of "Ready"
But many don't do it until the order to "Aim" is given.

I can see why people prefer the guns to be at half-cock, so "safe" as long as possible.

 

[Trooper "D"]

I'm looking to make bullets i can load and shoot in firing demos a living history. Something that closely resembles a Minie ball and helps the cartridge retain its shape. but comes apart or disintegrates upon firing. These WILL NOT BE FIRED towards people. I'm kind of thing a cornstarch slurry into a Mould and let harden. Any other ideas or suggestions?

I don't see the need for doing that. Have an example of a cartridge and a loose Mini'e on a table or some surface and use a reenacting cartridge for loading.
But...if you have your heart set on doing that, florist's green foam is perfect. You'll have to sculpt it carefully and maybe paint it so its not green but it compresses just perfect and disintegrates right out of the muzzle. Seems like a lot of work though. We have used cream of wheat in revolvers for decades. Or instant grits if you are southern. I've thought about molding grits but it aint worth the hassle. I just don't see any benefit from the extra effort.

 

[Trooper "D"]

I always worry when I hear that said beacuse I seen some very stupid and dangerous changes made... for safety.
a common change in Sweden is removing the spend caps as the first step in (re)loading... and anyone here with experience with artillery will yell that this is stupid.
Then some people then put the mouth to the muzzle and blow air down the barrel... to blow out the embers and clear the channel to the piston...

------

But there are some changes I do believe are rather common that only involve removing entire "times" fully.
and/or taking a "motion" and moving it to the next "time"
(based on "modern" reenactor drill books, and watching lots of vids from mainstream events on youtube over the years)

When not ramming the blank cartridge.
4.Charge CARTRIDGE.
people empty the cartridge into the muzzle and drop it on the ground
5, 6 and 7 is replaced with simply stamping the butt of the musket on the ground to seat the powder.
I believe this is the normal way to do it...

Another change I believe is common with mainstream units is exactly when you full cock the musket.
By the book it is done as the last part of "Ready"
But many don't do it until the order to "Aim" is given.

I can see why people prefer the guns to be at half-cock, so "safe" as long as possible.

I think the hammer is supposed to remain at half cock until you aim.

 

[Trooper "D"]

ooooohhh stick with them flaming cotton balls then, so much more entertaining!

The Confederates at Vicksburg stuffed turpentine soaked cotton into the cavity of their bullets to ignite the Yankees protective devices they were used as the trenches were inched closer to the Confederates lines. Now that's entertaining.

 

[Trooper "D"]

To get the squared off boxer look you can use two squares of toilet paper to simulate the look/space of the round in the tube. The TP can be rammed (living history only with no one downrange) with the cartridge paper giving the report of your Enfield a nice bang. The TP will exit the barrel, often times smoldering/flaming, but will only go a few feet before harmlessly falling to the ground where it can be extinguished if necessary. You can easily and correctly demonstrate the "load in 9 times" etc. Did this for years at Stones River National Battlefield using NPS drill, which is very close to the original manuals with a couple minor adjustments for safely.

It also demonstrates how the cartridge papers would set the undergrowth and leaves alight sometimes. I usually ram the cartridge papers down the tube as wadding. I used a real thin and flimsy drawing pad paper. Like coloring books have. Cheaply made and doesn't hold up to much. Its like a soft spongy newsprint.
I don't see what adjustments would be made for safety in loading demonstrations. Always just used the manual.

 

[thomas aagaard]

I think the hammer is supposed to remain at half cock until you aim.

No cocking is the last part of "ready".

from hardee's revised:
READY.
One time and three motions.
(...)
173. (Third motion.) Cock, and seize the piece at the
small of the stock without deranging the position of the butt.

And it is the exact same in the other acw drill books. (and the Danish 1852 and 1863 drill btw)

But not going to full cock until ordered to "aim" do appear to be a common change to the drill with many reenactment groups.

 

[Pollaco]

For display I keep my powder horn filled with used dried coffee grounds instead of black sand. Lot less weight and it smells better too.

 

[Trooper "D"]

For display I keep my powder horn filled with used dried coffee grounds instead of black sand. Lot less weight and it smells better too.

You can also use the grounds as chaw tobacca and get a little caffeine kick.

 

[RetiredCanuck]

Cotton balls can be used to create the appropriate shape of a ball in a replica paper cartridge. But they should not be fired out unless there is a clear path. They will not burn up completely.