Safety Rules and Regulations for the First Federal Division
— Revised and Approved, April 2008

Safety Rules and Regulations for the First Federal Division

The following are general minimum safety standards for the 1st Federal Division. Brigade/Battalion/Squadron/Battery Commanders may supplement/strengthen/augment (but may not alleviate, obviate, or lessen) these guidelines as they see fit according to their impression and historical responsibilities. 

PARTICIPATION

For participation as a military member of the First Federal Division, participants must be at least 12 years of age.

For participation on the battlefield as a “non-combatant” (in all service branches) participants must be at least 14 years of age, and must have prior consent from the Commanding officer of the Battalion to which they are assigned AND have their “battlefield” duties clearly stated and defined.

For participation on the battlefield as a “combatant” (in all service branches) participants must be at least 16 years of age.

 “Combatant” means anyone participating on the battlefield during battle scenarios with other line soldiers, cavalry or artillery etc., whether with or without a weapon. 

“Non-Combatant” refers strictly to functioning field musicians or functioning hospital stewards who do not approach the battle line. Artillery powder monkeys are NOT non-combatants and must meet the age criteria as stated for combatants.

Participants serving as active members of an artillery crew are considered “combatants” and those serving positions 1 through 4, gunner (corporal) and chief of the piece (sergeant) must be at least 18 years of age and properly trained on the piece.  Participants serving as Nos. 5-8 and “powder monkey” must be at least 16 years old and properly trained on the piece.

Civilians (members in civilian period attire) are not allowed on the battlefield without PRIOR WRITTEN approval from the Army Commanders, and then only if part of a planned scenario or specific endeavor (correspondent, etc). At all times and in every case, civilians shall never approach the battle line or artillery line during an engagement. The public (in non-period dress) is restricted from the battlefield at all times unless under direct escort or for a particular public tour event, etc.

“Battlefield” refers to the area marked off for the public viewing. 

All participants who are minors (under 18) MUST have a parent or authorized guardian ON SITE with them at all times. Notice of Temporary Guardianship must be on file with their respective unit and be available for inspection by staff during the event. The Unit commander takes responsibility for their immediate supervision at all times when they are within his jurisdiction.

A parent or guardian is responsible for the supervision of the minor(s) under his or her care at all times during the event. Parents who do not supervise their minors are subject to expulsion from the event.

No member shall be allowed in formation, on the battlefield, or under arms or on horse, if he has been drinking alcoholic beverages and/or he appears to be intoxicated.

WEAPON INSPECTIONS

Weapons authorized to be carried on the field of battle during a living history event are consistent with the Living History and Event Rules as provided by the Division.

All weapons (long arms, short arms, bladed weapons, and artillery pieces) shall be inspected according to Division guidelines:

• Company weapon inspection forms (WI-1) will be signed by the Company commander, acknowledging that weapons have been inspected.
• Battalion weapon inspection forms (WI-2) will be signed by the Battalion commander, acknowledging that weapons have been inspected.
• Brigade weapon inspection returns (WI-3) must be verified by the Brigade commander and his Adjutant.  Brigade commanders should monitor Battalion inspections and must rely on the Battalion and Company commanders to properly inspect weapons and accurately report discrepancies.
• Artillery Section Inspection forms (AI-1) will be will be signed by the Section Chief, acknowledging that the pieces have been inspected.
• Artillery Battery Inspection forms (AI-2) will be will be signed by the Battery Commander, acknowledging that the pieces has been inspected.
• Artillery Reserve Inspection forms (AI-3) must be verified by the Artillery commander and his Adjutant.  Artillery Staff should monitor inspections and must rely on the individual battery, section, and gun commanders to properly inspect pieces and accurately report discrepancies.
• Completed Inspection Forms (AI/WI-3) must be turned into Division prior to the start of any battlefield action.
• Numbers reported on Inspection forms must correlate to the Morning reports. Discrepancies must be notated and explained.
• General Staff officers may be assigned to monitor weapon inspections.
• GUNDECKING or FALSIFYING reports to save time or to avoid inspecting weapons will not be tolerated.  Individuals or units not wishing to comply with the safety procedures may be asked to leave.

Unless the tactical scenario dictates, the following procedure will be used to inspect weapons.

• Long rifles – Open ranks, spring rammers, and check hammer at half –cock, check the hammer at full cock, with thumb on hammer,   release trigger.  Check for rust, missing screws, or bent rammers.
• Revolvers – Check barrel with pencil for lead rings or obstructions, check hammer at full cock, check hammer at half cock and rotate cylinder.  Check for rust, missing parts.
• Bayonets & Sabers – Check all edges to insure they are dull, free of rust, and that the scabbards are serviceable.
• Artillery pieces – Check barrel for obstructions or deficiencies, check vent/breech, check carriage for sturdiness, inspect implements and equipment, check limber, inspect cartridges and primers, ensure there is sufficient trained crew.

WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION SAFETY

Participants may not fire weapons:

• If portraying a wounded man, on the ground;
• From a hospital tent or fly;
• Outside the battlefield area, without permission of the Unit Commander;
• From the ground in prone position, without permission of the officer commanding (permission is withheld for fire danger, or if gravel may be kicked up by firing blast);
• From the spectator areas;
• Without orders.

There is to be no discharging of Artillery in camp. All discharging other than in the scripted battle shall take place on an established firing line after notifying and receiving approval from the Artillery Commander.

Unit commanders are responsible for ensuring that weapons are not loaded with projectiles, and that weapons are in safe and serviceable condition.  The General Staff has the authority to see that this is done.  Weapons of any type found unsafe are not allowed on the battlefield.

Long arms, artillery and ground charges are cleared by firing at the end of battle scenarios, and are not reloaded except on orders.

Owners of weapons, black powder and other such supplies (e.g., percussion caps or friction primers) are responsible for ensuring that these remain under control from unauthorized access.  Weapons and black powder must be secured or guarded when not under direct control.  In formation or on the field, "control" is maintained by the officer commanding.

Members do not touch weapons other than their own, unless picking up a weapon reasonably thought to be lost, in order to turn over the weapon to the Army Staff, or as required for “Stack Arms,” “Inspection Arms,” etc. 

Members of the public cannot fire weapons at any NSA/FFD event. 

Members of the public cannot handle pistols or edged weapons.

All ammunition should be prepared prior to any living history interpretation event.

Long arms are reloaded on the battlefield only with prepared cartridges.  Pistols are reloaded on the battlefield only with prepared cartridges or spare cylinders.  Powder flasks are not allowed on the battlefield.

Rifle-musket and musket cartridges contain no more than 60 grains of black powder (FF/FFF), and conform to Civil War specifications, made with paper, and tied with string if desired, but no staples, tape, or glue or other methods of securing the cartridge are used.

Ramrods are allowed on the battlefield when securely attached to the long arm, and are not used in loading unless on orders, in controlled firing demonstrations. 

Paper cartridge wrappers will not be loaded in muzzle-loading long arms. At no time will anything other than powder be placed down the barrel of a weapon.

Carbine and other shoulder arm cartridges contain no more than 60 grains of black powder (FF/FFF) and conform to Civil War specifications. Hard-cased ammunition is sealed only with compressed Cream of Wheat, or with "crumbling" Styrofoam and "shooting grease," but not both!

Pistols and revolvers are loaded with no more than 35 grains) black powder (FFF/FFFF), except single-shot muzzle-loading pistols, which are loaded with no more than 40 grains black powder.  Revolver chambers are sealed only with compressed Cream of Wheat, or with "crumbling" Styrofoam and "shooting grease," BUT NOT BOTH!

Percussion caps are not applied to revolver cylinders until the chambers are loaded.

Only ONE pistol or revolver may be carried by a soldier/trooper at any time, except in the case of mounted troopers with pommel holsters on his saddle or with PRIOR written approval from a Battalion commander or higher authority.

All pistols are carried in a holster when loaded to avoid accidental discharge. Pistols are not carried in waistbands, haversacks, belts or boots, whether loaded or not.

Pistols are considered secured if they are carried in a holster with the flap closed, or a loop over the hammer.

Extra loaded revolver cylinders can be carried only in a secure leather pouch designed for this function.

ARTILLERY SAFETY

All Reproduction artillery tubes will be equipped with a steel safety liner or sleeve. Original tubes will be inspected for serviceability on an individual basis. All carriages will be inspected for general condition and determined serviceable on an individual basis per inspection checklist.

The maximum rate of fire for any one cannon will not exceed one round per one minute, from time of discharge to placing next cartridge into muzzle.

While on the field the ammunition chest shall be placed at least 35 feet to the rear of the trail. All rounds shall be kept in ammunition chests, except for rounds being delivered to the pieces. The lid of a chest shall remain closed and the chest locked at all times except when rounds are being removed, during inspections, or while work is being performed inside chest.

A 10 foot minimum safe firing distance shall be maintained between the muzzle and any person, animal, or vehicle in its front at all times. At 150 feet the crew shall load only “light cartridges.” A “light cartridge” is defined as no more than 3 oz of black powder per inch of bore with NO COMPRESSION FILLER. No cannon shall discharge or be loaded while a person, animal, or vehicle is within 100 feet of the muzzle.

Artillery pieces are not to be charged/assaulted except as previously arranged in a “scripted” scenario, and then only at a pre-arranged signal. The signal to opposing infantry or cavalry shall always be the furling of the battery guidon indicating all guns are clear and safe for assault.

Only Friction primers or percussion primers shall be used to discharge the piece.

Blank artillery cartridges shall be made up of F or FF black powder (one or the other; NOT mixed) only, and shall not exceed 4 oz. per inch of largest bore diameter. Cartridges must have a minimum of three wraps of heavy-duty aluminum foil and be packed to a firm consistency.

Artillery cartridges will be stored in the ammunition chests at all times. All rounds will be individually stored in a sealed cardboard container within the ammunition chest. No artillery cartridges shall be constructed at the event site.

The bore shall be thoroughly sponged with water and wormed after each cartridge is discharged. Wet / dry sponging is a matter of unit preference.

Each piece shall be equipped with the following implements in good working condition:

• Two Sponge/Rammers - Shall fill the bore and be capable of sponging the bottom of the breech. The sponge for field howitzers shall fill the breech.
• Worm - Shall be of a size capable of dislodging all foreign objects in the bore.
• Sponge Bucket
• Thumb stall or Glove for thumbing the vent.
• Priming Wire
• Gunner’s Haversack
• Friction Primer Tube Pouch
• Gimlet or Vent Punch
• Vent Brush
• Two pairs leather gauntlets or gloves for Nos. 1 & 2
• Model 1848 Ammunition Chest or equivalent – Limber recommended.

All detachments shall be inspected on their piece for proper drill and safety. Each artillery unit will provide the Chief of Artillery a written copy of their drill. Detachments will be inspected in accordance with their own drills. If units do not file a written drill with the Chief of Artillery, the unit will be provided one on which it will be judged.

An artillery detachment consists of a minimum of seven men including the Gunner (corporal).

The No. 1 man shall not double or triple “tamp” the charge. The charge will be rammed home in one motion only.

In the event of a misfire (for any reason) the command is given “do not advance - the primer has failed.” The No. 1 man shall place his rammer on the outside of the hub of his wheel as a clear indication of the misfire. With this the crew shall go into the proper failed primer drill after a minimum of a 3 minute wait. During this time the cannon shall not be left unattended or moved. The misfire shall be cleared when the Gunner is satisfied that it can be done safely. Should a piece have three consecutive misfires the Battery and Battalion commanders shall be notified. Prior to any additional action, the Battery Commander shall be present. No. 1 will hold his rammer on hub until piece is cleared.

MOUNTED ARTILLERY SAFETY

All Division Equine Safety Rules shall apply to artillery horses and harness/tack.

There shall be at least one outrider or Section Chief (lieutenant) per section of guns. If there is only one horse-drawn gun on the field, that gun shall be accompanied by a mounted Chief of the Piece (sergeant).

When in movement, mounted artillery shall not travel at a rate greater than a trot, unless directed by the Commander of Mounted Artillery.

Cannoneers shall walk at least an arm’s length to the outside of the wheel. If this interval cannot be maintained, the detachment shall march behind the piece.

Cannoneers shall only ride on the ammunition chests of limbers and caissons, with a maximum of three per chest. They shall mount the limber or caisson and ride according to directions in Instructions for Field Artillery. No one shall ride on the gun or foot board of the limber.

If there is more than one mounted gun operating as part of a larger artillery unit, the field the following applies:

• When in column, pieces shall maintain a minimum distance of five yards between the last cannoneer or the muzzle of the lead piece, and the lead horse of the following piece.
• When in line, pieces shall maintain an interval of fourteen yards. The terrain will dictate actual interval.

The only cannoneers to step inside the wheels to limber or unlimber the piece shall be the Gunner and the No. 5 man, and the following shall be observed:

• To Unlimber: after the piece has come to a full stop, the Gunner and No. 5 shall step in, remove the key, and lift the lunette off of the pintle hook. When the lunette is clear, the Gunner shall command the wheel horse Driver to “drive on.”
• To Limber: after the piece has been moved to the limber and the lunette placed on the pintle with the key in place, the Gunner and No. 5 man shall step clear of the wheels.  Before moving the piece, the wheel horse Driver shall look at the Gunner and call out “clear wheels.” The Driver will not initiate movement of the piece until he hears the Gunner respond “wheels clear” to indicate that all cannoneers are outside the wheels of the gun and limber.
• To Lock the Wheel: upon encountering a steep grade on the line of march, the Chief of the Piece or Gunner shall halt the piece, and the No. 5 man shall step between limber and piece to lockout the gun wheel before descending the grade. The order to move shall be the same as when limbering.

Pieces shall not be loaded or fired until the horses are behind the piece. If there is more than one gun on the field, no gun in a section or battery shall be fired until all of the horses are behind their piece. Pieces shall not be moved when loaded.

The emergency command to stop all movement shall be “All Stop!” This command should be given in a loud voice by anyone upon the recognition of an imminent hazard, a person or horse in distress, or an equipment failure. The command should be repeated until all pieces have come to a halt. The command to resume movement shall be given by the officer or NCO in charge only when the problem that initiated the emergency command has been corrected or eliminated.

EQUINE SAFETY

Horses/mules must have safe, serviceable tack and shoes (if shod), and be in "sound" health.

Surcingles are required on military and civilian single-billeted saddles, except artillery team valise saddles.

Horses displaying erratic/unsafe behavior will be evaluated by the Division Safety Officer and a Senior Mounted Officer to determine if that animal should be allowed to continue or be disqualified from further participation.

Horses and mules, when not in use, are tied to a picket line, to trees or other secure objects, kept in sturdy corrals or pens, or tied to picket (or grazing) pins with lariats.  If on picket pins, they are far enough away from tents to avoid entanglement.

Stable guards, or owners, keep watch on picketed horses or mules throughout public hours.   Management of animals after public hours is at the discretion of the mounted unit commanders.  For members with horses/mules not in a mounted unit, the Army commanders may delegate responsibility (e.g., to the owner, or to a mounted Unit).

Horses and mules are ridden at a walk in camp streets, and when entering the battlefield via avenues through the public.  Horses and mules are not intentionally spooked or stampeded.

Horses and mules are touched or handled only by the owner, or by a person designated by the owner. Members of the public may not mount animals under any circumstances.

Those in charge of picketed horses or mules ensure that members of the public approach the animals from the front or side only, not from the rear, and only with permission.

An “unsafe act” is defined as any act that may or will cause bodily harm or death to another individual or damage to property, to include, but not limited to:

• Firing a weapon directly at another individual within 25 yards.
• Striking or stabbing an individual/animal with a saber.
• Striking or stabbing an individual/animal with a bayonet.
• Striking an individual with a rifle, musket or pistol.
• Participating in or initiating unscripted hand-to-hand combat.
• Rolling cartridges near open flames.
• Open flames, smoking or firing weapons on or near artillery chests.
• Taking or attempting to take opponents’ colors (except as part of a pre-approved scenario).
• Firing artillery at cavalry or infantry within the 50 yard safety zone.
• Unsafely Charging infantry/artillery on horseback.
• Operating under the influence of alcohol/public drunkenness.

It is the responsibility of all participants to report unsafe acts to their officers or to Division.

All reports of unsafe acts will be investigated and individuals deemed to have committed such acts will be removed from the site, or referred to local authorities as appropriate.

ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

The First Federal Division has a detailed Inspection and Reporting Procedure as part of the “Weapons Inspections Protocol and Forms” found on the Division web site.

An Assistant Inspector General will be appointed to supervise Division safety.  He will have the authority to “shut down” any action perceived as unsafe during the duration of a Division event.

The Safety Policies of any event attended by the First Federal Division will honored accordingly.

Violations of these rules or common sense safety precautions may lead to individuals or units being suspended/expelled from an event, or recommended for censure/suspension/expulsion from the Division by the Board.