Standards
of the Columbia Rifles
B. Model 1853 Enfield Rifle-musket, .577 caliber: The Enfield was the second-most prevalent long-arm in the Federal Army. Preferred that Enfields are marked "Tower" (instead of "London Armory"). Enfield rifle-muskets shall be properly "defarbed" (top swivel replaced, first two bands replaced, modern markings removed, period inspector's stamps added, correct escutcheons, bluing removed, etc.). Members are advised to purchase ArmiSport (reproduction manufacturer) rifle-muskets because they are more authentic with respect to the musket bands. [EOG/US page 38]
C. Model 1863 Springfield Rifle-musket: These weapons are also acceptable but are not encouraged. Their use began rather late in the war and therefore is anachronistic at pre-1863 events.
D. Long-arms other than a .58 caliber Enfield or Springfield will be considered on a case-by-case basis as required by the scenario portrayed. Model 1842 .69 caliber Springfield smoothbores may be carried only when appropriate for the scenario. No two-band rifles, no modern black-powder rifles, no Confederate rifles, etc. shall be carried at any time.
E. Any original (period) muskets must look new and be in proper working order.
F. All rifle-muskets in the ranks of the Company shall have a functioning half-cock and shall be capable of bearing the full weight of the musket when supported only by the trigger.
G. Each time the company falls in, each Member must have a ramrod in his rifle-musket and a bayonet properly sheathed.
H. All muskets shall be cleaned after firing. A weapons inspection shall be held prior to each firing demonstration and/or battle reenactment. Unsafe and/or excessively unclean weapons shall not be allowed in the ranks due to the safety hazard they represent.
B. Each cartridge will contain no more that 60 grains of FF black powder.
C. Blank cartridges shall not be carried loose in cartridge boxes; all cartridge boxes will have the proper cartridge box tins. For safety reasons, Members are discouraged from carrying cartridges in their pockets.
D. Cartridges must be made of proper paper material. Newspaper, notepad paper, and other inauthentic materials shall not be used. Cartridges must be properly constructed and tied at the end.
E. Cartridges should be properly packaged (bundle of ten cartridges plus twelve caps in a paper tube, wrapped in paper tied with a string). Cartridge packages should not be labeled.
B. Only officers may carry pistols.
C. Live ammunition shall never be carried by any member at any event, with the sole exception of live-fire competitions.
B. Scabbards: Scabbards shall have a brass throat with a brass loop to attach to the swivel snap on the sword belt, and a bras drag with a second brass loop approximately one-third of the way down the scabbard. The scabbard for the Model 1850 foot officer's sword shall be russet leather [EOG/US pages 74-75].
C. Side Arm: Use of a side-arm by commissioned officers is optional, and choice of a side-arm weapon is at the discretion of the officer. Among the most common types of side-arms were the 0.44 caliber Colt Army Revolver, and the 0.32 caliber "pocket" pistols [EOG/US pages 64-69].