73rd Regiment of Foot Inc Firearms Safety- Public Safety

Purpose
The 73rd Regiment of Foot Inc recognizes that it has a duty of care to its members and to
members of the general public who attend any displays or events provided by us. To this
end the following safety regulations shall be implemented at all displays and events
where the 73rd Regiment of Foot Inc is the controlling authority.
Scope
These instructions and procedures shall apply to all members and non-members of the
Regiment partaking in an official 73rd Regiment of Foot event.
Definitions and Abbreviations
The following words acronyms and abbreviations are referred to in this document.
TERM
73rd ROF
Event
Firearm
Non Members
Members
Event log
Committee
Safety officer
Membership card
Accreditation
Competent
Recruit
RPL
Projectile Material

DEFINITION
73 Regiment of foot Inc
A reenactment, display or cam officially approved at a meeting of
the committee of the 73rd ROF.
Flintlock muzzle loading musket (Cat B) and (Cat A)
A person who is not a financial member of the 73rd ROF but is
involved in the event.
Financial members of the 73rd ROF
Record book held by the events officer, listing events, safety
concerns, and attendance
Members of the 73rd Regiment of Foot Inc elected by general
membership
A member who is trained or deemed competent in firearm safety.
Usually an NCO or officer
Carried by members at all times which shows their accreditation,
regimental number and name.
Attained by members in Musket, sword or artillery under
instruction from a safety officer.
Someone who has attained basic proficiency in a designated arm
Newly joined member who is under instruction pending a
Firearms licence. They are learning proficiencies under
instruction from a designated safety officer.
Recognised Prior Learning
Any item, regardless of construction, which can conceivably fit
down the muzzle of the firearm (whether inadvertently or
intentionally) and become airborne if loaded with a blank
cartridge. This includes (but is not necessarily limited to: lead
ball, wooden demonstration cartridge, cleaning jags etc).
rd

Overview
Persons using firearms in any event be appropriately licenced and the firearm registered
under current firearms legislation. Exceptions are those registered members under
instruction applying for their firearms licence.
Responsibility
Safety is the responsibility of each individual and does not become the sole responsibility
of any one person.
The nominated safety officer/s on the day of the event who is recorded in the event log
shall be responsible for supervising the security of all firearms, edged weapons,
gunpowder and other pyrotechnics as may be used at any event. All safety instructions
given by the safety officer/s or their nominated deputy shall be adhered to at all times.
Failure to do so may lead to disciplinary action by the committee.
Security
All firearms used by the 73rd ROF in an event, shall be kept locked in an approved
receptacle prior to and after use. If during an event, firearms are piled for demonstration,
or left out for public display, the firearms shall be secured to prevent theft. A picket shall
be posted at all times to watch over these displays to prevent theft or unauthorized
tampering. No member of the public shall be allowed to handle any firearm or edged
weapon in use, or on display. This also applies to edged weapons and artillery pieces.
Training
No member of the 73rd ROF shall be permitted to perform in public of blank fire
ammunition with any firearm until that member has successfully completed training on
the required firearms. Successful completion of this course will be noted and kept on
record. Firearm safety training shall be renewed every 12 months or at the direction of the
committee. RPLs may be used in some cases to constitute basic levels of training after a
demonstration.
Blank Firing
No firearm will be discharged without prior arrangement with the nominated safety
officer or their deputy. All venues where blank firing will occur shall be inspected by the
event coordinator and safety officer prior to the event. Unusual angles of fire and safe
distances will be noted down. All participating members of the event shall be informed of
the safety considerations prior to the performance commencing. If a venue is considered
unsafe, no blank firing will take place. All members have the responsibility to cease firing
if any of the safety prerequisites are breached and inform their direct safety officer. When
involved in battle reenactments, the use of ramrods or wadding is prohibited. Aiming
directly at an opponent is prohibited. Only blank ammunition or inspected by the Safety
Officer shall be used for any public display. The maximum amount of black powder used

in a blank cartridge shall be 120 grains weight Avoirdupois. Muskets are never to be tap
loaded by striking the butt on the ground.

Steps used at the commencement of any firing display

1. Squad, platoon or company form up
2. Licences are checked
3. Locks and pans are checked
4. Muskets are sprung to check they are free of any unspent cartridges
5. Cartridge boxes are checked and cleared of any possible projectile material.
6. NCO conducts the loading and firing sequence by the orders and then
independently.
Steps used at the end of any firing display
1. The squad, platoon or company shall remain formed up
2. Muskets are sprung to check are clear of any unspent cartridges
3. All remaining cartridges are collected by the NCO
4. The troops are dismissed
Malfunctions or misfires
It is the responsibility of all soldiers to carry enough equipment to ensure that their
firearm can be maintained at all times. The basic tools that should be carried on the field
are
Rag
Three way sergeants tool
Spare flints in a flint wallet
Napping hammer
Whisk and pick
Priming powder flask
In the event of a malfunction or misfire, the NCO in charge of the firing party is to be
notified immediately. When a misfire occurs the following procedure is to take place.
1. The 1, 2 is given through the drum or by NCO if no drum is present. Muskets are
held horizontal or at the high port (depending on the order) during this time.
2. All troops go the recover. Thus the muzzle is vertical. MISFIRE is called
3. If RELOAD is called the private blows off any remaining powder and takes the
hammer to the half cock
4. The vent is cleared with a pick
5. The flint is checked, tightened, cleaned or replaced as necessary.
6. The frizzen is wiped and cleaned
7. Re prime if time allows in this loading procedure or wait for the next RELOAD
8. If the musket persistently misfires clear pan and lower cock. and simulate firing
procedure. The cartridge will be pulled using a worm at the end of the event as
directed by an NCO

The most important thing is to not become agitated or flustered with this process. A level
head is required at all times during the loading and firing process.
Alcohol
No alcohol shall be consumed by any person, firing, handling or in possession of any
firearm, or edged weapons at any time. Breech of this rule will be grounds for
disciplinary procedures from the Committee and may lead to prosecution under the
firearms act.
Firearms and edged weapons
All firearms are subject to inspection prior to any event. Poor serviceability or lack of
maintenance will cause the firearm to be withdrawn from use until repaired at the owners
expense. All edged weapons are to be kept blunt with no burrs or edges, no edged
weapons are to be sharpened. No member of the public shall be allowed to handle any
edged weapons. All flintlock firearms are to be fitted with a flashguard to prevent
sideflash and blast from the pan and touch hole which may cause injury.
Accreditation
Accreditation is achieved through having demonstrated competency in the arm that the
soldier has applied them to. This is musket, artillery or edged weapon. The 73rd ROF uses
a number of systems to fulfill individual accreditations. These are:
RPLs
Handling of said discipline competently under supervision independently and as a
team
Verbal communication to assess competency by NCOs
Completion of safe handling documentation in Appendix A. Artillery, Appendix B
Musket and Appendix C Sword.