Menu
Port Arms: The weapon is brought out in front of the soldier, and held by the right hand on small of the butt, or equivalent, and the left hand about the forestock, or equivalent. High Port Arms: The weapon is brought out in front of the soldier in the form similar to Port Arms but higher so that the butt and forestock or equivalent is raised. MANUAL OF ARMS IN USE IN THE BRITISH.; ARMY, 1770-78.-May 19, 1889. Credit Credit The New York Times Archives. See the article in its original context from May 19, 1889, Page 11 Buy Reprints. Filmed at Van Cortlandt House, Bronx, N.Y. For the 35th Regiment of Foot, British Redcoat Reenactors. Visit www.royalsussex.org for more info. Updated Manual.
A manual of arms was an instruction book for handling and using weapons in formation, whether in the field or on parade. Such manuals were especially important in the matchlock and flintlock eras, when loading and firing was a complex and lengthy process typically carried out in close order. When capitalized, the term has reference to one of several important manuals, such as the British Army manual of 1764, the manual of Frederick the Great or Von Steuben's Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, adopted by the Continental Army in 1777. The positions and evolutions contained in such manuals have become the standard for parade drill throughout most of the world.
Port Arms
Typical examples of rules and procedures can be found in the 1764 manual.[1] It was used by both sides at the start of the American Revolution.
- Stance: stand straight, head right, shoulders square, stomach in, chest out, heels close, toes turned out a little.
- Holding the weapon: on the left shoulder, forefinger and thumb to the side of the stock, the other three holding the butt.
- Timing: each motion to be done on a count of 'one, two'.
Such manuals contain various evolutions, such as the twelve or so steps needed to load, ready and fire, and steps for fixing bayonets, forming line (for firing), column (for bayonet charges) or square (for repelling cavalry).
A second example is the manual used for training of Union troops in 1861.[2] While not always dictating the stance (as reference is made to loading from horseback), specific instructions were given for drawing on command (specifically the rifle and pistol), loading, firing, cease-firing, inspecting and returning the weapons to their carrying position (slinging the carbine, or holstering the revolver).
Notes[edit]
British Army Manual Of Arms
- ^British Army manual of 1764, illustrated by Outwater's MilitiaArchived 2010-01-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^Worthington, T., Gen. 'MANUAL OF ARMS FOR THE SHARPS RIFLE, COLT REVOLVER AND SWORDS (1861)'. Applegate & Co. No. 43 Main Street. 1861. Retrieved 25 November 2012.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
British Military Arms
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manual_of_arms&oldid=822121930'