1764 Manual of Arms

NEW MANUAL

and Platoon Exercise

With An

EXPLANATION

Published by Order of his Majesty:

Edward Harvey, Adjutant General

August, 1764

Position of a Soldier Under Arms

To stand straight and firm upon his legs; head turned to the right; heels close; toes a little turned out, the belly drawn in a little, but without constraint; the brest a little projected; shoulders square to the front and kept back; the right hand hanging straight down the side; with palm close to the thigh; the left elbow not to be turned out from the body; the firelock to be carried on the left shoulder, as low down as can be admitted without constraint; the three last fingers under the butt, the fore-finger and thumb before the swell, the flat of the butt to be supported against the hip bone, and to be pressed so that the firelock may be felt against the left side, and that it may stand before the hollow of the shoulder, not leaning towards the head, nor from it, the barrel almost perpendicular.

To be very exact in counting a Second of time, or, one, two, between each motion.

FIRST WORD OF COMMAND

Poise Your Firelocks. Two Motions.

1. Sieze the firelock with the right hand, and turn the lock outward, keeping the firelock in the same position as before.

2. Bring up the firelock with a quick motion from the shoulder, and sieze it with the left hand, just above the lock, so that the little finger may rest upon the Spring, and the thumb lie upon the stock. The firelock must not be held too far from the body and the left hand must be of an equal height with the eyes.

II. Cock your Firelocks. Two Motions.

1. Turn the barrell opposite to your face, and place your thumb upon the cock raising the elbow square at this motion.

2. Cock the firelock, by drawing your elbow down, placing the thumb upon the bridge pin, and the fingers upon the guard.

III. Present. One Motion

Step six inches back with the right foot, bring the butt-end in presenting even with your shoulder, placing the left hand on the swell, and the forefinger of the right hand before the tricker, sinking the muzzle a little.

IV. Fire. One Motion

Draw the tricker briskly back, then bring the firelock back to the priming position with the lock opposite the right breast, the muzzle the height of the hat, keeping it firm and steady, and at the same time seize the cock with the forefinger and thumb of the right hand, the back of the hand turned up; both feet kept fast in this motion.

V. Half Cock your Firelocks. One Motion

Half bend the cock briskly, with a draw-back of the elbow.

VI. Handle Your Cartridge. One Motion

Bring your right hand with a short round to your pouch, slapping it hard, and take hold of your cartridge, and bring it with a quick motion to your mouth with your right hand; bite the top well off, and bring the hand down low as the chin.

VII. Prime. One Motion

Shake the powder into the pan, placing the three last fingers behind the hammer, with the elbows up.

VIII. Shut Your Pans. Two Motions

1. Shut your pans briskly, drawing your right arm, at this motion, towards the body, holding the cartridge fast in your hand, as in the former position.

2. Turn the piece nimbly around to the loading position, with the lock to the front and the muzzle the height of the chin, bringing the right hand behind the muzzle, both feet kept fast in this motion.

IX. Charge with Cartridge. Two Motions

1. Turn up your hand and put the cartidge into the muzzle, shaking all the powder into the barrel.

2. Place your hand closed, with a quick and strong motion, upon the rammer.

X. Draw Your Rammers. Two Motions

1. Draw the rammer with a quick motion half out, seizing it at the muzzle back-handed.

2. Draw it quite out, turn it, and enter it into the muzzle.

XI. Ram Down your Cartidge. One Motion

Ram the cartridge well down the barrel, instantly recovering and seizing the rammer back-handed at the centre, turning it and entering it into the second pipe, placing at the same time the edge of the hand on the butt-end of the rammer.

XII. Return Your Rammers. One Motion

Return the rammer, bringing up the piece with the left hand to the shoulder seizing it with the right hand under the cock, keeping the left hand fast to the swell, turning the body square to the front.

XIII. Shoulder your Firelocks. Two Motions

1. Quit the left hand, and place it stong on the butt.

2. Quit the right hand and throw it down the right side.