CODE of CONDUCT

for Battle Re-enactment
by
The American Civil War Society Ltd

GENERAL RECOMMENDATION

Sponsors are advised to ensure that any re-enactment Society that they may engage to present a show in their area are fully insured for Third Party Liability and are working in compliance with the Health and Safety Executive Code of Practice as laid down in this document.

Copies of this Code of Practice have been forwarded to Police Firearms Departments throughout the U.K., to those Local Authority Officers with responsibility for dealing with matters relating to re-enactment, and to the Explosives Officers of other re-enactment Societies in the U.K.

This recommendation is sent out with the approval of H.M. Inspector of Explosives in the hope that It will provide a useful commentary on relevant legislation as well as indicating a basis for a safe display.

A copy of this code has been lodged with the ACWS's own Insurance company for reference purposes.

CODE OF CONDUCT
In relation to the use of
FIREARMS & EXPLOSIVES
by members of
THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR SOCIETY

This Code of Conduct has been drawn up in order to provide Society Members with a concise summary of the law as it applies to Battle Re-enactment Societies in Britain in addition to setting out several important directives relating to SAFETY. The code covers the use of all types of muzzle loading muskets, shotguns, firearms, cannons, ground charges systems, and explosives used during the course of battle reenactments and living history displays.

As a general rule if you wish to acquire, possess, or use any firearm you must first obtain the appropriate certificate from your local Chief Officer of Police.

Members of the ACWS taking part in displays as infantrymen, or as members of gun crews operating cannons must possess the following documents in order to comply with the Law of the Land and Society Regulations:

1. A current Shotgun Certificate and / or Firearms Certificate as applicable.
2. A current Gunpowder Licence where black-powder is used other than in the form of Factory Manufactured SHOTGUN BLANKS which can be purchased without a licence from any gun shop.
3. A current ACWS Membership Card. (Essential for Insurance purposes)

AGES: With certain exceptions no person under 14 years of age may possess purchase, or acquire any firearm or ammunition - nor may anyone give or lend them any. Between 14 & 17 years of age a person may apply for a Shotgun or Firearms Certificate with the approval of a parent or guardian. It is therefore possible for a 15 year old to legally possess and use a shotgun for re-enactment purposes. However, under the Rules & Constitution of the ACWS no person under the age of 14 years is permitted to join The Society. Persons under the age of 16 years will be required to take a non-combatant role. Persons under 18 years of age will require a parent or guardians consent. (It is an offence to sell a shotgun to a person under 17.)

A SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE is required by a re-enactor using any of the following smoothbore weapons: muzzle loading muskets, shotguns. and cannons, provided non of the said weapons has a barrel less than 24 inches in length.

Note: A person may without holding a shotgun certificate borrow a shotgun from the occupier (i.e. a Tenant Farmer) of private premises and use it on those premises in the occupier's presence. [Firearms Act 1968. Section 11(5)] This does not however include a re-enactor in a public park.

GENERAL NOTES RELATING TO SHOTGUNS: ( Firearms Act 1968)

1. With certain statutory exceptions It is an offence for any person to have in his possession, or to purchase or acquire, a shotgun without holding a shotgun certificate. (Which must be signed in ink.)
2. A shotgun is defined as "a smoothbore gun having a barrel not less than 24 inches in length, not being an airgun." It is an offence to shorten the barrel of a shotgun to a length less than 24 inches.
3. At the time of drawing up this paper (Jan 87) a shotgun certificate costs £12.00, lasts for three years, and is granted by the Chief Officer of Police for the area in which the applicant resides.
4. There is no restriction on the number of shotguns that can be held on the one certificate.
5. It is a condition of the issue of a shotgun certificate that the Chief Officer of Police by whom it was granted must be informed at once by the holder of the theft or loss of any shotgun in his possession. Any change of address of the holder should be reported without undue delay.

A FIREARMS CERTIFICATE: is required for all smoothbore weapons where the internal barrel length is less than 24 inches in length. Other weapons coming into this category include hand guns, rifles, muzzle-loading muskets where the barrel has been rifled out to fire minié bullet instead of patch & ball. Coehorn Mortars and certain types of short barreled cannon or howitzers also require the operative to possess a F.A.C.

As of January 1987 a Firearms Certificate costs £33.00, lasts for three years, lists all the weapons in the holder's possession together with the conditions under which they may be used. (For each additional weapon the holder has to pay a variation fee of £19.00.) An example of the conditions imposed in relation to the use of an Enfield Rifle for re-enactment purposes reads:

THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR HISTORICAL SOCIETIES APPLIES.

When attending a display always carry your firearms certificate with you. If you do not produce it when asked to do so by a police officer he may seize any firearms or ammunition in your possession.

When not in actual use any firearm or ammunition which you are authorised to possess must be kept in a secure place with a view to preventing access to them by unauthorised persons.

Re: HAND GUNS: Following a recommendation by the Association of Chief Police Officers IT IS NOT the policy of the Police to grant firearms certificates to re-enactors wishing to use revolvers in mock-battles. The main police objection to the use of handguns for re-enactment purposes is the mobility and ease of movement of this type of weapon combined with a high risk injury factor when used in close range combat.

APPEALS: If the police refuse to grant, vary, or renew a firearm or shotgun certificate in England & Wales you may appeal to the Crown Court on giving notice within 21 days to the Administrator of the Crown Court and the Chief Officer of Police. In Scotland you may appeal to the Sheriff Court.

GUNP0WDER LICENCES: Are Issued by the Police under the Control of Explosives Order 1953. They are issued free of charge on an annual basis and generally last for the duration of the re-enactment season.

For re-enactment purposes 'Gunpowder Licences' fall into three categories:

CATEGORY 1. (The Soldiers Licence) The greater majority of Society members fall into this category which authorises:

1. An Infantryman to acquire up to a maximum of 2 lbs (One Kilo) of gunpowder for use in his capacity as a rifleman / musketeer participating in Society Events.
2. Artillerymen are allowed to acquire up to 10 lbs (Five Kilo) of gunpowder and ten feet of Safety Fuze (slow-match) for the purpose of firing cannons at displays.

The licence contains a condition requiring the Licensee to 'Hold & Use' the gunpowder only in his capacity as an infantry or artilleryman during the course of reenactments and meetings of the ACWS whilst under the control of an 'Appointed Officer' of the said Society to whom all unused gunpowder / ammunition / safety fuse, must be returned as soon as the display is over.

It is in effect an immediate use licence for re-enactors only and does not authorise the holder to remove gunpowder from the site to store at home.

Note: The above Section dealing with handguns does not apply to blank firing replica guns which can be readily purchased without the need to hold a licence. Nor does it restrict an individuals right to apply to hold a handgun under the general provisions of the Firearms Act 1968.

CATEGORY 2. (The Appointed Officer) Within the ACWS an Appointed Officer is generally a Gun Captain in charge of Artillery or an Infantry Officer commanding a Regiment. Their duties are to Control ad Supervise the issue of gunpowder and safety fuse to Category 1 Licence Holders.

An Appointed Officer is limited to acquiring a maximum of 30 lbs of gunpowder and 30 feet of safety fuse for redistribution purposes to personnel under his command and must maintain a written record of all persons to whom gunpowder / ammunition was issued and where applicable returned.

An Appointed Officer's Licence contains a condition requiring the licensee to Hold & Use the gunpowder & safety fuse only at meetings of the ACWS whilst under the control of The Society's Explosives Officer to whom he must return any unused gunpowder / ammunition / safety fuse and countersign the records of such return.

CATEGORY 3. (The Explosives Officer) Will normally be the occupier of a 'Storage Place' licensed by or registered with the Local Authority for the keeping of gunpowder. For reenactment purposes the Explosives Officer is generally the occupier of Mode A or Mode B registered premises dependant upon the amount of gunpowder required? Mode A is in effect a purpose built gunpowder magazine capable of holding substantial quantities of explosives in relative safety. Mode B on the other hand could be a substantial steel box lined with wood and secured by a good quality lock. A Mode B Licence holder is limited to holding a maximum of 25 kilo (55 lbs) of gunpowder. Although by Order in Council (No 12) of 1883 he may keep up to 150 lbs of black-powder loaded into safety cartridges. (See Note (c) below)

NOTES:

1. Most professionally manufactured shotgun cartridges are regarded as being SAFETY CARTRIDGES within the meaning of the above Order.
2. As a general rule no licence is required to purchase or keep 'percussion caps' necessary to fire most types of muzzle loading long arms (See: Explosives Act 1875. S.50.)
3. The Registered Premises Order of 1896 as amended by Order in Council 16(b) increases the amount of safety cartridge that may be held to 250 Kilo provided that no other explosives are kept in the store. Where this is the case different limits apply.

Within the ACWS the Explosives Officer is directly responsible for the overall supervision of all matters relating to the purchase, storage, transportation, and distribution of gunpowder and ammunition within the Society. In addition he must ensure that records of all transactions or transfers of explosives and ammunition are properly recorded. Finally as Explosives Officer he has a duty to give prior notice to both the Police & Fire Service for the Town or County in which the ACWS intends to stage a battle re-enactment or display.

AMMUNITION: All ammunition taken onto the re-enactment field MUST be in blank form. (The carrying of live ammunition is PROHIBITED.)

1. In simple terms "Blank Ammunition" may be regarded as the loading of gunpowder and priming system without the addition of bullet or shot.
2. Factory manufactured shotgun blanks can be readily obtained from most gun shops without the need for a licence (although one is required for the shotgun). These are both safe and acceptable.
3. Note that the breaking down of live ammunition into Blank Form (other than as a process of manufacture) is ILLEGAL and contrary to the provisions of Section 4 of the Explosives Act 1875.

As the occupier of a licensed store or registered premises, an Explosives Officer may take advantage of the Special Conditions and Provisions of Section 46 of The Explosives Act 1875 which permits for the filling of cartridges for small arms in a room set apart for the purpose providing:-

1. There is only 5 lbs of gunpowder in the room at any one time.
2. Cartridge filling is the only operation going on at the time.
3. That 'No Smoking' is permitted in the room.
4. The room is at a safe distance from the Main Store.
5. Notice is given to the Local Authority of your intention to make use of this provision.

As a purely practical expedient, the Police have no objection to a rifleman or musketeer filling cartridges on site immediately prior to a re-enactment taking place providing:

1. This is done well away from members of the public. (30 yards minimum)
2. It is completed in a safe, supervised, and designated area.
3. No smoking is permitted whilst cartridge filling is taking place.
4. That no breaking down of Bulk Quantities of Gunpowder takes place on site and that black powder is issued out in small pre-packed ¼ lb. ½ lb or 1 lb lots. (As a general guide sixty-four quarter-ounce charges can be obtained from 1 lb of fine grain black powder.)

NOTE: Whilst the Police are responsible for granting licences and overall security, the Local Authority deal with matters of Storage and the Conveyance of Explosives by road through the Health & Safety Executive.

Re: The Conveyance of Explosives by Road. Up to a maximum of 100 lbs of Gunpowder can be carried in a private car providing the following requirements are complied with:

1. All explosives are carried in a portable Mode B storage cabinet.
2. The driver should be licensed with the Police Firearms Department and should neither smoke nor leave the vehicle unattended.
3. Water type fire extinguishers should be carried.

Where the weight of gunpowder exceeds 100 lbs then a purpose built vehicle is required for the transportation of bulk quantities of explosives. See: Conveyance of Explosives by Road. I.C.I. Regulations as recommended by H.M.Inspector of Explosives. Gunpowder should not be carried in a bus, taxi, or any other vehicle applying for hire.

Special arrangements must be made with the public authorities for overnight storage of any explosives at the site of a display or battle lasting for more than one day. These arrangements may require that explosives are kept in an existing local licensed storage place or that the site is registered with the local authority as a premise for the keeping of explosives for the duration of the display or battle.

No special arrangements are necessary in the case of a one day event where the ammunition is brought in and issued immediately prior to the re-enactment taking place.

MEMBERS OF TEE PUBLIC must be kept at least 30 yards from any bulk quantity of gunpowder or other explosive devices. The use of barriers, e.g. double rope, and easily identifiable "Stewards" is considered essential. Likewise muskets, hand-guns, and in particular cannons must be fired in a direction in which effective measures have been taken to ensure that no member of the public is likely to be harmed.

GROUNDCHARGE SYSTEMS: H.M. Inspector. of Explosives has no objection to the use of manufactured fireworks, e.g. electronically fired maroons being used to simulate the effects of cannon fire, providing the same is done under licence with the Police. A system of marking the position of ground charges with coloured pegs or some other such device is considered essential to ensure the safety of re-enactors taking part. Being confined to the battlefield, ground charges do not generally present a risk to members of the public provided that they do not enter the battle area whilst the display is in progress and that a thorough cheek is made to ensure that no unexploded maroons have been left on site once the re-enactment is over. This is an ESSENTIAL requirement to be carried out after every display.

RAMRODS: Due to a number of accidents caused by ramrods or the component parts of ramrods being accidently discharged from musket barrels, the ACWS. decided to dispense with the use of ramrods for loading purposes and instead simply pour a measured quantity of black powder into the barrel without wadding. The charge. is seated by the simple expedient of tapping the rifle butt sharply on the ground. The musket is then primed with a percussion cap and fired in the normal manner.

WHEN FIRING in the aforementioned manner it is necessary to keep the musket muzzle slightly elevated in order to prevent loose powder falling out of the barrel. This in itself is an additional safety feature that ensures that muskets are fired over the heads of fellow re-enactors rather than straight at them.

FLASH AND FLAME: Although the difference in sound between a wadded and unwadded musket is almost negligible the flame emitted from the muzzle of an unwadded gun is greater than that coming from a wadded one. Being aware of this, all that is required is to ensure that you are a safe distance (15 yards minimum) from any person standing in front of you before discharging your gun.

MISFIRES: When your musket misfires, that is fails to go off when loaded, the cause is generally attributable to one of three factors:

1. Damp Powder
2. Blocked Nipple
3. Dud Percussion Cap.

Do not look down the barrel. Keep the muzzle elevated above eye level. Clear the nipple with a pin and re-prime with a new percussion cap. There is no need to worm out wadding when loading in the above described manner.

AFTER A DISPLAY: It is ESSENTIAL that re-enactors check that the battle site is clear of live ammunition before permitting members of the public to enter the area. Shotgun blanks have been know to fall out of cartridge boxes. Far better to, be safe than sorry, so always remember to search the site.

TO SUMMARISE:

1. Don't leave your musket lying around unsupervised.
2. Keep all your ammunition in a secure cartridge box.
3. Return all unused ammunition to your Appointed Officer on culmination of the display.
4. Always have your licences available just in case the Police wish to inspect them.
5. Be SAFETY MINDED at all times.
6. Never fire your rifle or musket within 15 yards of any member of the public.
7. Never use an unproofed gun.
8. Always clean and oil your musket after use.

ARTILLERY: A smooth bore muzzle loading cannon having a barrel with an internal bore of not less than 24 inches in length is classed as being a shotgun under the provisions of the Firearms Act 1968.

In order to fire a cannon for re-enactment purposes a Gun Captain must possess the following licences:

1. A Shotgun Certificate.
2. A Gunpowder Licence.

Where the barrel is less than 24 inches in length then a Firearms Certificate is required in order to fire the gun.

PROOF: Before firing a cannon in a public display it is essential that the barrel has first been tested and proofed at either the Birmingham or London Proof House. In practice the Proof Master tests the barrel with a charge of double that which the gun will be expected to fire. Thus giving a safety factor of 100%. Dependant upon the size of the bore and quality of the barrel most cannons on the re-enactment scene in Britain are proofed to fire either a 2 oz, 4 oz, or 8 oz charge of black powder in blank form. Details of the proof are then stamped on the barrel for reference purposes. IT IS AN OFFENCE to forge 'Proof Marks' or to sell an unproofed barrel. (See: The Gun Barrel Proof Acts 1868, 1950, and 1978.)

DUTIES OF A GUN CAPTAIN: Before taking part in a display a Gun Captain must ensure:

1. That his licences are up to date and available for inspection by the Police should this be required.
2. That he has all the necessary tools and equipment to hand in order to fire the gun safely.
3. That the barrel has been thoroughly searched / wormed out and is clear of any obstruction prior to loading up for the opening shot.
4. That his gun crew is adequately trained & fully conversant with how to load and fire a cannon in addition to knowing what to do in case of a misfire.
5. That all the ammunition for the gun is kept in a secure metal container, is supervised at all times, and that no cartridge exceeds the proof of the gun. (Double loading is absolutely prohibited.)
6. That all members of his gun crew are in a sober condition bearing in mind that it is a Criminal Offence to be drunk in charge of a firearm.

MATTERS OF SAFETY: (in relation to Cannons)

1. When firing cannons the use of 'metal powder flasks' for priming purposes are to be avoided due to the risk of a flashback or spark causing the powder flask to explode like a hand-grenade. Much safer to use a leather flask with an efficient cut off mechanism. Safer still use a quill or pre-packed cartridge containing the correct amount of powder necessary to prime the gun.
2. Under no circumstances must any projectile other than wadding in the form or soft felt, polystyrene, or grass, ever be fired from a cannon during the course of a battle re-enactment or display.
3. Ensure your cannons are suitably positioned with a clear field of fire. Blank shots will not be discharged at less than 15 yards (45 feet) from the 'enemy' nor within a similar distance of any other cannon or member of the public.
4. Cannons will not be captured or overrun accept by prior arrangement between the Gun Captain and opposing Infantry Commander. It is essential that all ammunition and explosives are safely stowed away before the attack is launched. NO GUNPOWDER or AMMUNITION must ever be captured or taken away from the person to whom it was issued.
5. Gun Captains must ensure that cannons are unloaded and cleared before the guns leave the battlefield.
6. Guns must be regularly inspected for wear and tear and barrels re-proofed if necessary.

BLAST: Recent tests in America have established that the blast off a ¼ lb (quarter pound) blank charge of fine grain black powder fired from a 2¼ inch diameter smoothbore cannon has a muzzle velocity of over 1500 feet per second. More powerful than a magnum hand-gun and more than sufficient to propel a 2 lb cannon ball a distance of one-mile in fractionally under four seconds. So be Warned!

IN THE, FINAL ANALYSIS: Safety is largely a matter of PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY and COMMON SENSE. Be a responsible re-enactor.

LOADING PROCEDURE: The following loading procedure based on the collective experience of 'Modern Day' Canoneers both in Britain and America represents a mixture of authenticity commensurate with SAFETY.

In the practical firing sequence that follows all the various aspects of firing a cannon have been broken down into fifteen separate stages:

15-POINT FIRING SEQUENCE.

The above firing sequence is continued until such time as the command to "Cease Firing" is given. Firing cannons requires maximum concentration and it is far batter to forgo speed for safety.

IN THE CASE OF A CANNON MISFIRING adopt the following procedure:

1. Keep clear of the muzzle and do nothing for at least three minutes just in case the charge is still smoldering in the barrel and due to go off at any moment. Under no circumstances must anyone look up the barrel or insert a worm or ramrod into the bore.
2. If the gun has not gone off after a time lapse of three minutes use the 'gunners dirk' in order to ensure that the touch hole is clear of any obstruction and that the cartridge has been pierced properly.
3. Re-Prime the gun by pouring a small quantity of fine grain black powder down the touch hole.
4. Ensure that you have a clear field of fire and ignite the priming powder. In 99 cases out of a hundred the gun will fire first time after clearing the vent and re-priming.

SHOULD THE GUN STILL FAIL TO GO OFF after adopting the above procedure:

1. Withdraw it from the firing line and allow it to stand down for a full five minutes.
2. Commence to dampen the main charge / cartridge by pouring water down the touch hole.
3. Allow a further period of time before using the worm to remove the offending cartridge and any wadding that may have been left in the barrel. The gun is now ready to be mopped out and reloaded.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

On behalf of the Committee and Membership of the American Civil War Society, I would like to record my sincere appreciation to the following persons and departments for help and advice given to me during the process of drawing up this 'Code of Conduct':

1. Mr P. Wellings. H.M.Inspector of Explosives Health & Safety Executive, Magdelen House, Trinity Road, Bootle 20, Merseyside.
2. Chief Inspector Moreland & Sergeant Atherton of the Greater Manchester Police Firearms Department.
3. Chief Inspector Elliot & Sergeant Curtis of the Merseyside Police Firearms & Explosives Department.
4. Mr P.Hitchcock, Proof Master, Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House.

Finally to those re-enactors both in Britain & America whose collective experience is embodied within the pages of this Code of Conduct my grateful thanks.

Mike Lawson, Honorary Secretary & Safety Officer, ACWS

APPENDIX ONE

IMPERIAL TO METRIC CONVERSIONS

The following comparison chart was provided by H. M Inspector of Explosives.

30 feet of slow match should be converted to 10 metres.

Black powder cartridges for muskets should not exceed 90 grains. Three drams (82.02 grains) of fine grain black powder Is considered a safe yet effective load for blank firing muzzle loading rifle muskets. (N.B. in America a 90 grain cartridge is the maximum charge permissible on the re-enactment field.)