Reenactors: Question ???

Pahoo · December 30, 2007, 03:36 PM

Typically, what do Reenactors load and shoot, in movies and when they have their reenacments? What is their shot-string and primarily what do they substute for a projectile? A rew years back, I was asked to discharge my M/L at a flag ceremony. Was at a loss as to what to stuff down "Old School" and the only thing I came up with, was aluminum foil. Had a good report and while saluting the flag, it started raining aluminum flakes. Everybody just kept looking around till it all settled.

Thanks and Be Safe

Hawg · December 30, 2007, 04:27 PM

I don't reenact but have been to a lot of them. Seems like most just use paper cartridges. They don't have real good reports, just a lot of smoke and fire. Artillery uses powder wrapped in foil and they get a good report. Got to see a 30 lb. Parrot fired once. Even with a blank charge it shook the ground.

38splfan · December 30, 2007, 07:03 PM

Before I joined the Army, I was a Civil War Reenactor. I participated with a small group called the 20th TN Cavalry. Based on a real unit from my hometown of Dyersburg, the were a Confederate Cavalry unit That saw their first major action at Ft. Donelson in the winter of '61-'62 under Forrest. They were one of the handful of troops that Forrest snuck out the "back door" when Donelson was surrendered. They finished out the war, ending at literally less than a third of their original strength. Most of their action was in the Trans-Mississippi theater.

But that's not really what you were after, sorry. Got carried away

We used paper cartridges with no wadding. No ramrods either. Real BP (not substitutes) can be poured into the barrel, the rifle tapped on the ground to semi-compress, and fired normally. Still impressive enough for the smoke and noise, but the "no ram" policy was a lot safer for the battlefeild. You'd be impressed at the damage that can be done by a steel rammer over a 60 grain blank load.

For formal events (Veteran's Day, Cemetary dedication, etc.) we used paper cartridges packed with cream of wheat, and rammed normally.

Cartridges we made using 60 grains of powder in either pre-made paper tubes or tubes we made using newsprint. Easy, just used a dowel rod for the form.

Hope that helps you out. If not, feel free to ask and I can clarify.

tplumeri · December 30, 2007, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Got to see a 30 lb. Parrot fired once

I saw a chicken fired at an airplane windshield, but never even heard of a 30 pound parrot! Are you sure it wasnt a turkey. Or an emu?

Hawg · December 30, 2007, 08:03 PM

Parrot Rifle. Read a history book.

**4V50 Gary** · December 30, 2007, 08:09 PM

The no rammer policy is good but if you must ram, use your wadded paper. Make sure the paper is nitrated so it burns rapidly and don't use wadded paper at all if you're in a no burn area.

tplumeri · December 30, 2007, 08:27 PM

So, you shot big parrots OUT of this thing or WITH it?

Sorry, couldnt resist.

Hawg · December 30, 2007, 08:47 PM

Real big parrots.

Colduglandon · January 2, 2008, 10:01 AM

I was looking up info on sighting in my BP rifle and came across this site.
Explains in detail what to do

Rolling Rounds

http://www.19thusregulars.com/html/rolling_rounds.html

Pahoo · January 2, 2008, 12:27 PM

You folks never cease to meet or exceed any expectations I might have and that is what makes for a great forum. Y'all have certainly answered my questions and then some as I too have never seen a 30 lb. Parrot.

I'm going to have to make up some of these rounds and also appreciated the history lessons. Between the Buckskinners and Reenactors, I don't know who has more fun. I thank you again and know that you are appreciated. Be safe!!

Hawg · January 2, 2008, 08:04 PM

Excellent site Paul.

rem870hunter · January 2, 2008, 10:31 PM

i didn't have any 12 ga. blanks for new years. so i took out the missouri ranger .50 cal. i poured a little bit of loose pyrodex down the barrel followed by a 50 gr. pyrodex pellet. rammed a wonderlubed patch on top with a dry one over that. first shot didn't make that much noise but the few after did a nice bang. a bit of a backwoods firework i guess. neighbors didn't care either. fireworks are illegal in nj but not discharging firearms on the holidays i suppose. neighbors all around were shooting fireworks and firearms. but whatever they had did not sound like blanks.

i think i will try it again on the fourth of july.

i talked to a guy a few years ago who did revolutionary war reinactments. they didn't allow ramrods. and they used paper catridges with no ball or projectile. how they packed the powder charge i don't recall him saying. it made a nice pop and puff of smoke. at that time he was a corporal in the british army. they were at a fort and got playing around they started shooting hotdogs out of brown bess muskets and watermelon pieces from a cannon. i don't know if he is still doing reinactments but i am sure it was fun.

SIGSHR · January 2, 2008, 11:50 PM

I do RevWar and have done Civil War reenacting, in both ramrods are NOT used on the battlefield for safety reasons, nor is stuffing paper down the barrel allowed. For salutes and demonstrations they are. Standard load for
the Brown Bess and Charleville was 80-90 grains of FFg, for the Springfields
and Enfields, 60 grains of FFg. Some guys used FFFg, said the residue was easier to clean. Pyrodex works fine with percussion caps, but not with flintlocks, too hard to ignite.

**4V50 Gary** · January 3, 2008, 12:23 AM

A hot dog shoot. Who would have thought of it? Flying weiners. They're hot when you shoot 'em. Death by watermelon. What a pleasant attack that would have been. Can you substitute Vienna Sausages? I bought two cans for $1 the other day from Thrifty. I plan to send them to the sandbox as "canned fruit" since they're unkosher products.

Griswold · January 3, 2008, 12:30 AM

That's Parrott with 2 t's - for Robert Parker Parrott, of Cold Spring, New York. He made field and siege artillery pieces in 10, 20 30, 100 and 300 pdr. varieties. Also naval versions. They were the "Saturday nite Special" of Union artillery during the War. In Hawg's picture, note the breech reinforce (wrought iron), sweated over a cast-iron tube. A recipie for disaster, in many cases, and many of the larger ones (above 20 pdr.), but even some of those guns did burst in service. There's your "exploding Parrot"- Griswold

Colduglandon · January 3, 2008, 09:50 PM

Not specifically gun related, BUT I thought you might enjoy this video from the Battle of Bunker Hill Parade.

There are four units.

Middlesex County Volunteers fife and drum.

Charlestown Militia Company with BP muskets

Lincoln Minute Men with BP muskets

and Westbrook Conn Fife and drum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYgtQlf_PNE

James K · January 3, 2008, 10:41 PM

Maybe there would be less confusion about "Parrott" rifles if folks spelled the man's name right, with two T's. Incidentally, 20 lbr Parrott rifle No. 1 is on the square in Hanover, PA.

I am no re-enactor, and at a re-enactment last summer one of the "rebels" let me fire his repro rifle-musket. He just used powder and tapped the butt on the ground.

He asked me what I thought and I said it was interesting, since I had fired a rifle-musket hundreds of times and that that was the first time I had not sent a minie ball down range.

Jim

December 30, 2007, 03:36 PM	#1
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Reenactors: Question ??? Typically, what do Reenactors load and shoot, in movies and when they have their reenacments? What is their shot-string and primarily what do they substute for a projectile? A rew years back, I was asked to discharge my M/L at a flag ceremony. Was at a loss as to what to stuff down "Old School" and the only thing I came up with, was aluminum foil. Had a good report and while saluting the flag, it started raining aluminum flakes. Everybody just kept looking around till it all settled. Thanks and Be Safe

December 30, 2007, 07:03 PM	#3
38splfan Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Location: Ft. Lewis/Tacoma, WA. Posts: 1,034	Reenacting. Before I joined the Army, I was a Civil War Reenactor. I participated with a small group called the 20th TN Cavalry. Based on a real unit from my hometown of Dyersburg, the were a Confederate Cavalry unit That saw their first major action at Ft. Donelson in the winter of '61-'62 under Forrest. They were one of the handful of troops that Forrest snuck out the "back door" when Donelson was surrendered. They finished out the war, ending at literally less than a third of their original strength. Most of their action was in the Trans-Mississippi theater. But that's not really what you were after, sorry. Got carried away We used paper cartridges with no wadding. No ramrods either. Real BP (not substitutes) can be poured into the barrel, the rifle tapped on the ground to semi-compress, and fired normally. Still impressive enough for the smoke and noise, but the "no ram" policy was a lot safer for the battlefeild. You'd be impressed at the damage that can be done by a steel rammer over a 60 grain blank load. For formal events (Veteran's Day, Cemetary dedication, etc.) we used paper cartridges packed with cream of wheat, and rammed normally. Cartridges we made using 60 grains of powder in either pre-made paper tubes or tubes we made using newsprint. Easy, just used a dowel rod for the form. Hope that helps you out. If not, feel free to ask and I can clarify. __________________ "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne

December 30, 2007, 08:09 PM	#6
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	The no rammer policy is good but if you must ram, use your wadded paper. Make sure the paper is nitrated so it burns rapidly and don't use wadded paper at all if you're in a no burn area. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 2, 2008, 10:01 AM	#9
Colduglandon Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 1999 Location: Mass Posts: 493	I was looking up info on sighting in my BP rifle and came across this site. Explains in detail what to do Rolling Rounds http://www.19thusregulars.com/html/rolling_rounds.html __________________ From the People's Republic of Massachusetts

January 2, 2008, 12:27 PM	#10
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	I Thank you !!! You folks never cease to meet or exceed any expectations I might have and that is what makes for a great forum. Y'all have certainly answered my questions and then some as I too have never seen a 30 lb. Parrot. I'm going to have to make up some of these rounds and also appreciated the history lessons. Between the Buckskinners and Reenactors, I don't know who has more fun. I thank you again and know that you are appreciated. Be safe!!

December 30, 2007, 04:27 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I don't reenact but have been to a lot of them. Seems like most just use paper cartridges. They don't have real good reports, just a lot of smoke and fire. Artillery uses powder wrapped in foil and they get a good report. Got to see a 30 lb. Parrot fired once. Even with a blank charge it shook the ground.

December 30, 2007, 08:03 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Parrot Rifle. Read a history book.

December 30, 2007, 08:47 PM	#8
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Real big parrots.

January 2, 2008, 08:04 PM	#11
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Excellent site Paul.

January 2, 2008, 10:31 PM	#12
rem870hunter Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2007 Location: N.J. and trying to decide what state to move to. Posts: 973	i didn't have any 12 ga. blanks for new years. so i took out the missouri ranger .50 cal. i poured a little bit of loose pyrodex down the barrel followed by a 50 gr. pyrodex pellet. rammed a wonderlubed patch on top with a dry one over that. first shot didn't make that much noise but the few after did a nice bang. a bit of a backwoods firework i guess. neighbors didn't care either. fireworks are illegal in nj but not discharging firearms on the holidays i suppose. neighbors all around were shooting fireworks and firearms. but whatever they had did not sound like blanks. i think i will try it again on the fourth of july. i talked to a guy a few years ago who did revolutionary war reinactments. they didn't allow ramrods. and they used paper catridges with no ball or projectile. how they packed the powder charge i don't recall him saying. it made a nice pop and puff of smoke. at that time he was a corporal in the british army. they were at a fort and got playing around they started shooting hotdogs out of brown bess muskets and watermelon pieces from a cannon. i don't know if he is still doing reinactments but i am sure it was fun.

January 2, 2008, 11:50 PM	#13
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	I do RevWar and have done Civil War reenacting, in both ramrods are NOT used on the battlefield for safety reasons, nor is stuffing paper down the barrel allowed. For salutes and demonstrations they are. Standard load for the Brown Bess and Charleville was 80-90 grains of FFg, for the Springfields and Enfields, 60 grains of FFg. Some guys used FFFg, said the residue was easier to clean. Pyrodex works fine with percussion caps, but not with flintlocks, too hard to ignite.

January 3, 2008, 12:23 AM	#14
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	A hot dog shoot. Who would have thought of it? Flying weiners. They're hot when you shoot 'em. Death by watermelon. What a pleasant attack that would have been. Can you substitute Vienna Sausages? I bought two cans for $1 the other day from Thrifty. I plan to send them to the sandbox as "canned fruit" since they're unkosher products. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 3, 2008, 12:30 AM	#15
Griswold Member Join Date: April 2, 2006 Posts: 34	Parrot/t Rifle That's Parrott with 2 t's - for Robert Parker Parrott, of Cold Spring, New York. He made field and siege artillery pieces in 10, 20 30, 100 and 300 pdr. varieties. Also naval versions. They were the "Saturday nite Special" of Union artillery during the War. In Hawg's picture, note the breech reinforce (wrought iron), sweated over a cast-iron tube. A recipie for disaster, in many cases, and many of the larger ones (above 20 pdr.), but even some of those guns did burst in service. There's your "exploding Parrot"- Griswold __________________ Transmute the evening chimes Into war's resounding rhymes That invaders may be slain By the bells.

January 3, 2008, 09:50 PM	#16
Colduglandon Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 1999 Location: Mass Posts: 493	Not specifically gun related, BUT I thought you might enjoy this video from the Battle of Bunker Hill Parade. There are four units. Middlesex County Volunteers fife and drum. Charlestown Militia Company with BP muskets Lincoln Minute Men with BP muskets and Westbrook Conn Fife and drum. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYgtQlf_PNE __________________ From the People's Republic of Massachusetts Last edited by Colduglandon; January 3, 2008 at 09:51 PM. Reason: forgot the hyperlink

January 3, 2008, 10:41 PM	#17
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Maybe there would be less confusion about "Parrott" rifles if folks spelled the man's name right, with two T's. Incidentally, 20 lbr Parrott rifle No. 1 is on the square in Hanover, PA. I am no re-enactor, and at a re-enactment last summer one of the "rebels" let me fire his repro rifle-musket. He just used powder and tapped the butt on the ground. He asked me what I thought and I said it was interesting, since I had fired a rifle-musket hundreds of times and that that was the first time I had not sent a minie ball down range. Jim