training rifles and training in general

[rgr44]

Does anyone have any references to men training with wooden rifles? I am thinking of making some for living history events but want it to be authentic. Thanks.

[Mississippian]

Re: training rifles and training in general

I have heard of men training with sticks, but not wooden rifle look-a-likes.

Will MacDonald

[Silas]

Re: training rifles and training in general

In Kelton's New Manual of the Bayonet under "remarks on the manner and means of giving instruction in fencing with the bayonet" are these lines :

115. Each company should be furnished as the means of instruction, with
- 12 Wooden muskets (hard wood),
- 12 Bayonet sockets ;
- 12 Masks ;
- 24 Whalebone gutta percha bayonet points ;
- 15 Pairs fencing gloves with gauntlets.

Can't say I'd noticed it before now or any other mention of wooden muskets, for that matter. Not something I'd tried to find until now.

[thomas aagaard]

Re: training rifles and training in general

I was searching for info about this a few month ago... since I wanted to do some bayonet drill with our group...

The bayonet manual by McClellan (that Silas got on his page) suggest using an old musket, and a bayonet where most of the blade is replaced with a blade of whalebone.
And since I con't have any old muskets Iam willing to use for this, I was thinking about making some of wood... so nice to know that is would not be totally ahistorical...

[Ambrose Bierce]

Re: training rifles and training in general

Though hard to discern the details in this photo, it does illustrate some of the kinds of wooden weaponry used for training.

Full descriptions of the use of these and training with them can be found in the following source:

They Fought For The Union, Francis A. Lord, PhD; Bonanza Books, New York, NY, 1965. PP 26.