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Royal Regiment of Artillery’s Artillery Safety
Rules 1.0 General The intentions of these rules are to insure the safe firing of cannons at reenactments & other demonstrations. Omission of specific details or individual interpretation of these rules will not be an excuse for unsafe activity or behavior! Common sense must prevail at all times, & the safe firing of artillery requires the cooperation of all persons concerned. 1.1 An annual inspection of each piece must be conducted prior to participating at any event within that year. Gun owner & crews shall complete the inspection form attached to these rules (copies may be made). One copy will be kept by the Grand Encampment Confederation’s Artillery Provost Officer, & one copy will remain with these rules & kept on hand at all times as part of the equipment for each gun. Furthermore, the Grand Encampment Confederation’s Artillery Provost Officer &/or an appointed site safety officer, prior to service at events, will inspect all artillery pieces & their accouterments. (Under special circumstances an elected gun crew captain may serve as safety officer if the conditions warrant.) 1.2 The U.S. government does not require a manufacturer to proof test their barrels, nor is there is any requirement for a restored or relined barrel for that matter, a so-called "Homemade Piece". NOTE: The following statement is only a recommendation: It is in the interest of safety, all barrels are to have been proofed, viewed, maintained, cleaned & oiled prior to any service. A proofing report, detailing procedures & data attesting to the guns ability to perform reliably, using the manufactures maximum recommended powder charges for properly constructed guns will be required. This report shall be signed, dated, & kept with the cannon at all times. The barrel will be marked indicating that this procedure has taken place. (The burden of proof testing lies upon the owner or owners & not the Grand Encampment Confederation not the Grand Encampment Confederation’s Artillery Provost Officer.) 1.3 In the event that any unsafe conditions exist or develop, i.e. spectators, participant obstruction, equipment malfunction, etc the gun captain or any member of the gun’s crew has the authority to call out, “cease fire”. A hand signal must be performed in conjunction with the call, showing others that a problem exists. The hand is held in front of the face with the palm outward & moved rapidly in a waving motion. Upon this signal all operations concerning firing & movement of ammunition will cease. This condition will remain in effect until the appropriate safety personnel (the cannon captain, a gunnery commander if more than one cannon is present, or Provost Officer) reviews & resolves the situation. Only then can the "all clear" be given & activities resumed. 1.4 There shall be a fifty-foot (50’) danger zone clearly established (rope, line, or fence) between spectators & the cannon. No one is to be in front of the muzzle at any time. There will be no smoking within the danger zone. The ammunition box will be located twenty-five feet (25’) behind the cannon and attended at all times. 1.5 No person will place any part of their body directly in front of the muzzle! Furthermore, any crewmember operating the rammer, worm, or sponge shall not grasp these tools in any fashion where the thumb is used to encircle the handle of this equipment. Always keep the thumbs on the same side of the handle as the fingers! 1.6 No gun shall be fired at any person. A down range danger zone of three hundred feet (300’) must exist, allowing the minimum safe distance for anyone to be in front of the muzzle of a gun shooting blank cartridge only. This will include a radius of forty-five (45) degrees to either side of the centerline of the bore. 1.7 There will be no inappropriate behavior around the cannon while the firing procedures are in progress. 1.8 The consumption of alcoholic beverages or use of illegal substances will not be permitted or tolerated. It is imperative that cannon owners/captains be responsible for their crews in this regard to insure the safe handling of these guns. 1.9 No gun will be wadded or fired with loose powder. All firing will be done with cartridges made of aluminum foil only. 1.10 Use only CANNON GRADE or 1 Fg. GRADE BLACK POWDER for all charges. 1.11 Each step of the firing procedure must be performed for every firing. A minimum of two (2) dry fire sequences will be performed before loading. Each crewmember shall be knowledgeable in all the procedures & safety rules. 1.12 Hearing and eye protection is strongly recommended for all crewmembers. 1.13 When firing blanks, no wadding shall be permitted or used. It is not necessary for a realistic report. 1.14 The minimum timed interval between shots is three (3)
minutes. 2.0 Safety Rules during Battle Re-enactments 2.1 The cannon should always be considered loaded & dangerous. 2.2 Cannon crews must observe & insure that no one is in the danger zone before firing. "Cease fire" must be called if this situation exists. 2.3 The cannons must be positioned where they will not be firing directly into troop occupied areas. Any deviation must be coordinated & approved before the tactical begins. 2.4 All non-firing personnel adjacent to cannon must be at least thirty feet (30’) from either side or rear of the piece. 2.5 After the gun crew(s) has fired their predetermined number of rounds & the gun(s) is clear & secure, a bucket WILL be placed over the muzzle signaling that the cannon is no longer active in the battle; action may now take place within the down range danger zone, ONLY should ALL guns have performed the same. Until such signal is given no one may enter this danger zone. This rule will be applied & must precede any actions as described per Rule # 2.6 of this document. 2.6 If a cannon is to be overrun as part of a tactical demonstration, the cannon crew will "die" in place. The cannon crew will not abandon their cannon for any reason. There will be no simulated combat for the possession of the cannon. During the assault no one is to be directly in front of the muzzle. 3.0 Firing 3.1 Preparation for firing. 3.1.1 The firing site must be inspected to insure that it is capable of establishing the fifty-foot (50’) danger zone around the cannon. 3.1.2 Direction of fire must be selected to insure that no participant or spectator will encroach upon the down range danger zone of three hundred feet (300’). 3.1.3 The cannon must be on a stable base, where roll will be limited; & in such a way that it cannot tip over. 3.1.4 Cannons set in a row shall have muzzles in line & parallel at least thirty feet (30’) apart. 3.2 Firing Procedure 3.2.1 CLEAN VENT: Cleaning the vent is the first step in the loading-firing sequence. This is to insure that the vent is free of any debris or remnants from a previous firing. An appropriately sized bronze wire brush on a suitable (non-sparking) rod or the priming pick may be used. This instrument is to be run into the vent twice during the procedure. 3.2.2 STOP THE VENT: The vent is to be tightly sealed using thumb pressure during the entire cleaning & loading sequence. A gloved hand with thumb stall attached must be used. No air should escape from the vent during the entire loading procedure. 3.2.3 SEARCH: The tube will be searched each time before firing. When the worm reaches the breech, it will be rotated twice to pickup any cartridge remains & to loosen any powder residue. The worm should fit closely to insure cleaning of debris. Under no circumstances is the cannon to be loaded if debris is in the tube! 3.2.4 SPONGE: The tube will be wiped out with a wet (not sopping) sponge. The tight fitting sponge head is dipped into the water bucket & the excess water is wrung out by rolling or shaking the sponge near the ground. The sponge will be inserted & pushed to the breech; when contact is made it will be rotated at least twice & before being completely withdrawn. The sponge should be inspected after each swab to insure any debris clinging to it can be removed before the sponge is re-inserted into the tube. This procedure will be repeated twice more, but the sponge need not be re-immersed in water. It is imperative during this procedure that any smoldering residue from a fired cartridge or any debris missed by the worm be extinguished or removed at this time. Furthermore, a tight seal will be maintained on the vent so that any indication of a fracture may be spotted or heard. For this reason it is advised that after the last round is fired, the cannon should be sponged while hot to insure that a crack has not developed. 3.2.5 Repeat 3.2.3 and 3.2.4. 3.2.6 ADVANCE THE CARTRIDGE/CHARGE: The designated gunner will remove a single (1) charge from the ammunition chest and place it in his leather pass box. He will insure that the lid of the chest is closed before advancing. The flap of the pass box will remain closed until he reaches the appropriate gunner assigned to receive the cartridge. At this time he will remove the cartridge from the pass box & with both hands transfer it folded end first. 3.2.7 PLACE CARTRIDGE/SET THE CHARGE: The cartridge will be placed in the tube with the folded end towards the muzzle. It is imperative that as little of the hand & no part of the body is exposed to the muzzle while insertion is taking place. The opposite hand should be placed on the top of the cannon barrel to ground against static electricity. 3.2.8 RAM CARTRIDGE/CHARGE: The charge is rammed down the tube with sufficient force to seat it against the back of the bore. It is required that all rammers be smoothly tapered to allow a hand to open quickly should a premature ignition occur. It is also strongly recommended that a shepherd's crook rammer be used to insure that no part of the body is exposed to the plane of the muzzle. The rammer shall be marked to indicate the amount of shaft protruding from the muzzle when the charge is fully seated. The rammer will be grasped palm up with one hand & thumb to the side. Then with one continuous stroke, seat the cartridge. Do not pound. 3.2.9 PRICK THE CARTRIDGE/CHARGE: The cartridge is picked through the vent with the priming wire (non-sparking) held by the shaft between gloved fingers. 3.2.10 PRIME: Priming powder is poured into the vent with a small amount of powder remaining on top of the vent. Priming cartridges or priming quills are preferred. PRIMING HORNS MAY NOT BE USED TO DIRECTLY PRIME THE GUN. A small powder measure must be used. The gun captain will raise his hand once the gun has between primed & shall keep it aloft until the command to fire is given. This will signal participants & spectators that there is a primed & loaded gun on the range. If for any reason the gun captain must lower his arm, another member of the crew shall maintain the signal. 3.2.11 FIRE: 4.0 Misfires 4.1 If the primer ignites but the gun fails to fire, the gun captain will call out “MISFIRE” loud enough to be heard by the gun crew T by those at the perimeter of the danger zone. The gunner will remove his glove & check the temperature of the tube. 4.2 Start watch. Wait ten (10) minutes. The wait will be extended to fifteen (15) minutes if the temperature of the barrel is hot to the touch. 4.3 After ten (10) minutes have elapsed, the cartridge will be pierced again, the vent primed & the gun fired following the normal procedures. 4.4 If a second attempt fails to ignite the charge, the procedure may be repeated one more time after the minimum TEN (10) MINUTE wait. 4.5 If three (3) attempts have not resulted in a successful firing, the charge will be unloaded. Water shall be used to douse the cartridge through the vent & down the muzzle. After waiting the minimum period of ten (10) minutes to insure that no sparks remain, the assistant gunner will raise the cascabel, & the gun captain will use the worm to remove the cartridge. The gunner catches the cartridge and disposes of it in the water bucket. 5.0 General Information/Equipment 5.1 All equipment must meet serviceability standards. Antique guns or guns with sand cored bores should not be fired. There may be exceptions to this rule such as an antique gun or a gun with a sand cored bore which has a new liner & has been test fired may be serviceable, but these must be approved on an individual basis. X-ray or other examinations of the tube may be required to insure safety. 5.2 The Grand Encampment Confederation’s Artillery Provost Officer or designated safety officer shall insure that no gun be fired at an event until an inspection determines that the minimum mandatory equipment is present & serviceable. 5.3 Equipment will not be misused, ramming with a sponge or using the staff of the worm for a handspike. 6.0 Minimum Equipment Requirements 6.1 MANPOWER: No cannon will be fired with a crew of less
than three (3) people. Included in this ruling shall be mortars &
small carriage “grasshopper” type guns. An Exception: would
be a small stationary guns on tripods or posts which may have a minimum
of Two (2) Persons to operate. Though only one (1) person may be necessary
to operate these small guns, it is imperative that a second person
oversee that proper safety procedures are being used. 6.2 AMMUNITION CHEST: This chest must be in good condition with a self-closing lid restricted to opening at no greater than a 60° ANGLE. It must be capable of holding ammunition only (no lighters, matches, used slow match, flashlights or batteries). Chest must have a lock, & be kept away from sparks, cigarettes, moisture & flying objects. Construction must be of non-sparking materials, i.e. wood, brass, bronze (no iron or steel fixtures). 6.3 LEATHER PASS BOX: Used for carrying cartridges from ammunition chest to the cannon. Constructed of heavy leather with shoulder strap and flap. 6.4 Gloves: The minimum of three (3) pairs of heavy gauntlet leather gloves is required, e.g: welder’s gloves, which may be procured from any welding supply or other company that may handle these type of gloves. Gloves must be worn by each crewmember who will handle ammunition & powder, or who is exposed to the muzzle of the cannon. NOTE: A thumb stall is not a substitute for a glove. 6.5 Water Bucket: A serviceable bucket that is large enough for the sponge to be completely immersed in water. 6.6 Sponge: A cloth-covered cylinder on a staff capable of sealing the bore when wet. It must be capable of forcing water out of the vent when rammed home. Any substitute that does not meet these criteria will not be permitted. 6.7 Worm: An iron or steel worm of single or double tine. It shall be at least two-thirds the diameter of the bore. For small-bore cannons, inch to inch & a half, a screw-type worm (often made by cutting & filing a stout spring) may be used. 6.8 Rammer: A wooden cylinder 7/8 the diameter of the bore, with a handle. Rammers shall be tapered or trumpeted with no lands or shoulders over its entire length to insure that the hand opens in the event of a premature discharge. Shepherds crook rammers are strongly recommended. 6.9 Vent Pick or Priming Wire: A serviceable wire of a non-sparking
material, 1/8” to 3/16” diameter, pointed on one end with
a handle or ring on the other end. 6.11 Slow Match: A 100% cotton cord soaked in potassium nitrate
solution, then allow it to dry. Do not use butane lighters or other
pressurized devices to light slow match around cannons. 6.12 Tube: a. Iron, steel, brass or bronze is suitable; b.
It must be must free from cracks, deep pitting or rust striations;
c. There can be no evidence of spawning in the bore; d. The vent must
be smaller than 1/4 inch; e. Trunnions must be present & serviceable;
f. There can be no cracking about the cascabel; g. Cast iron cannons
alone have low ductile properties; h. All tubes of iron must be lined
with a high pressure seamless or drawn over mandrel (D.O.M.) steel
tubing liner with a breech plug; i. Wall thickness of liner must be
engineered according to bore size & appropriate pressure rating;
j. The breech plug may be threaded or pinned and 100% (A.S.M.E.T.:
certified) welded if materials are weldable & retain their strength.
Both require expert installation by competent manufacturers; k. Length
of breech plug will be equal to the diameter of the bore. 6.13 Carriage: The carriage must be sturdy enough to permit the safe firing of the cannon. NOTE: Prior to firing the cannon at each event, inspect the trunnion squares (caps), pins, and keys are free from cracks and are not broken. 6.14 Thumb Stall: A heavy leather sheath for protecting the thumb while forming a seal over the vent during the loading process. It must be large enough to fit over the thumb of a glove. (See Rule: 6.4) 6.15 Priming Devices. 6.15.1 Priming Charge: A paper charge containing 120 grains more or less of 2FFg or 3FFFg black powder to prime gun. 6.15.2 Priming Quill: A sealed plastic tube (drinking straw) filled with 4FFFFg black powder with a tag at the top used to prime the cannon. 6.15.3 Priming Horn: A small powder horn or flask used to hold priming powder for the cannon. In order to minimize the potential hazard of explosion, no cannon shall be primed directly from a horn or flask. A small powder measure capable of holding a suitable amount of priming powder shall be used to prime the cannon. 7.0 Other Equipment: 7.1 Watch: A stopwatch or pocket watch (a second hand is optional) shall be part of the equipment. 7.2 Tampion & Vent Cover (Apron): A leather or wooden plug to be placed & secured in or over the muzzle & touchhole when gun is not in use. This prevents any tampering or unwanted debris out of the bore at events. 7.3 First Aid Kit: This should include items capable of handling trauma and injuries. 7.4 Flashlight: To inspect bore prior to usage at events. Extra bulb and batteries should be carried. 7.5 Hand Spikes: These must be sturdy enough to move the gun without breaking or endangering crew or spectators. 7.6 Drag Ropes: Ropes used to maneuver the gun over rough terrain. This should be of 3/4-inch diameter with an iron or steel hook on one end. 7.7 Subscriptions: One member of cannon crew should subscribe to Artilleryman Magazine to keep abreast of recent developments in regards to cannon safety. 7.8 Extra Bucket of Water: A second bucket of water will be provided at the gun sight to be used in event of grass fires started by burning embers or as an added safety feature in the event that an emergency should occur. 8.0 Ammunition. 8.1 Maximum Powder Charges for Properly Constructed Cannon. 8.1.1 Powder charges for properly constructed guns shall not exceed the manufacturers recommended loads. 8.1.2 Powder charges shall be made of appropriate recommended
powder amounts wrapped in a TRIPLE (3) LAYER OF HEAVY-DUTY ALUMINUM
FOIL WITH THE END FOLDED CLOSED.
Owner:_____________________________ Unit:______________________________________ (Optional) Tube Manufacturer:_______________ Gun Size Bore:___________ Liner
Thickness:__________ Field:_______ Grasshopper:__________ Galloper:________ 3 Leg Swivel:_______
Single Leg Swivel:____________ Other:___________________________ Date and method used to test fire gun:_________________________________________________
1. NAME:_________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE:______________________________________________________________ 2. NAME:_________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE:______________________________________________________________ INSPECTORS: Attest that all information is, to the best of their knowledge, accurate and correct. This form does not certify or insure ultimate integrity of the gun or safety of related equipment.
LOG BOOK
Date:_______________ Purpose: _____________________ Date:_______________ Purpose: _____________________ Type of Primer Type of Powder Weight of Cartridge Cannon Crew: Cannon Crew: O. _________________ 5. ______________________ O. _________________
5. ________________________ 1. ____________________ 6. ________________________ Method of cleaning: Misfire Procedure: Actual time fired: ___________________________ |