Carrying 3 banders in Confed. Impression

[IowaYank]

Hello, I am going to be starting to put together my confederate impression. I am planning on carrying my 3-band enfield for my impression. I believe that is something that isnt represented enough in confederate cavalry. One question is concerning carrying it. I will be slinging it over my back. From your expirence, which way works best, slung with the butt of the musket pointing down, or with the muzzle pointing down??? I have heard both methods. One questions though if you are carrying muzzle down, have you ever had trouble loosing your ramrod??

Thanks

[Mike Nickerson]

Muzzle down will cause loss of a rammer. It may take 5 min., 5 hours, 5 events or 5 years, but either way it will come up missing! From my limited time in the hobby, I would say you are not going to keep it slung nearly as long as you are now thinking. Your back will win the fight with your arms, as to who is gonna carry what. IMHO

Mike Nickerson

[Iron Scout]

Guys,

Opinions on method of carry vary from individual to individual, just as with real soldiers. I've always preferred butt down with my right hand balancing the piece on the comb while at a trot/canter/gallop. After a while it seems very natural. I've also carried an Enfield rifle, the shorter, light infantry version, and absolutely love that. Really though, experiment with both ways and see which one is best for you.

Regards,

Neill Rose
PLHA

[Jerry Ross]

Hey Fellas,
I hold on to mine in one hand most of the time .I do rest the butt of the gun on my toe as it sticks out from the stirrup. I don't like to strap the gun to me as we ride through the woods too much for it to catch on something. I don't have a strap on the gun for that purpose. I do switch hands.I don't normally carry a sword or pistol when I carry the three bander.

[AZFarrier]

When I first became Cavalry I used an Enfield. I chose to position mine, muzzle down, because the Enfield strap attaches to the rifle infront of the trigger and towards the end of the muzzle. I noticed that the rifle would sit off to one side more and thus thow me off balance. I'm not recommending another rifle to use, by all means an Enfield is very accurate (if your in that region). I mean They were not found out here in the southwest but I know that the TransMississippi forces used them to great extent.

After my Enfield I moved to a Mississippi, then to a Sharps, still wish I had the Mississippi. I some times used my M1855 Springfield due to the staps connecting closer together and more balanced.

Andy Miller
1st CAL Cav
Arizona Rangers

[Russell Huffman]

I like to carry my enfield in the shoulder-arms position when im at a walk or stopped.when i get in a trot or canter with it i like to put it into the secure-arms type position to keep from hitting other people with it.


Russell Huffman

[paul9thky]

I carry my 2-band slung arcoss my back muzzle-up with the butt to the left and the muzzle to the right to prevent it from getting hung in my bed roll when mounting. You'll probably want to spend one or two good days in a ridding pen trying out different methods to see which best suits you. For my method you'll need to adjust the sling right, you need to have enough tension to prevent it from flopping too much but loose enough so it isn't uncomfortable. It will feel VERY! Akward for the first one or two times you ride with it but don't let it diswade you once you get used to it you'll forget it's back their and you'll feel naked ridding without it. It also helps to wear a jacket and a vest (Cushioning).

PS. To carry a musket like this it always helps to have a horse with a smooth loap. It liked to killed my shoulder with my older bay (who was very stiff legged) til I came across my current horse who has a very comfortable loap. It makes all the difference, and it helps your gear last longer.