Originally Posted by
Pericles
Nobody can load a fire a flintlock in 5 to 8 seconds. Well trained troops could fire at most 3 rounds a minute thus:
V. Half-cock Firelock! 1 motion.
Half bend the cock briskly, bringing down the elbow to the butt of the firelock.
VI. Handle, Cartridge ! 1 motion.
Bring your right hand short round to your pouch, slapping it hard, seize the cartridge, and bring it with a quick motion to your mouth, bite the top off down to the powder, covering it instantly with your thumb, and bring the hand as low as the chin, with the elbow down.
VII. Prime ! 1 motion
Shake the powder into the pan, and covering the cartridge again, place the three last fingers behind the hammer, with the elbow up.
VIII. Shut, Pan ! 2 motions.
1st. Shut your pan briskly, bringing down the elbow to the butt of the firelock, holding the cartridge fast in your hand.
2d. Turn the piece nimbly round before you to the loading position, with the lock to the front, and the muzzle at the height of the chin, bringing the right hand up under the muzzle; both feet being kept fast in this motion.
IX. Charge with Cartridge ! 2 motions.
1st. Turn up your hand and put the cartridge into the muzzle, shaking the powder into the barrel.
2d. Turning the stock a little towards you, place your right hand closed, with a quick and strong motion, upon the butt of the rammer, the thumb upwards, and the elbow down.
X. Draw, Rammer ! 2 motions.
1st. Draw your rammer with a quick motion half out, seizing it instantly at the muzzle back-handed.
2d. Draw it quite out, turn it, and enter it into the muzzle.
XI. Ram down, Cartridge ! 1 motion.
Ram the cartridge well down the barrel, and instantly recovering and seizing the rammer back-handed by the middle, draw it quite out, turn it, and enter it as far as the lower pipe, placing at the same time the edge of the hand on the butt-end of the rammer.
XII. Return, Rammer ! 1 motion.
Thrust the rammer home, and instantly bring up the piece with the left hand to the shoulder, seizing it at the same time with the right hand under the cock, keeping the left hand at the swell, and turning the body square to the front.
XIII. Shoulder, Firelock ! 2 motions.
1st. Bring down the left hand, placing it strong upon the butt.
2d. With a quick motion bring the right hand down by your side.
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