Personal Safety With Artillery

Co. L, 15th NYVC

·        Stay clear of the front of the guns. Fifty feet is the absolute minimum distance at which any non-artillery person should approach the guns, unless a very specifically scripted scenario has been planned out ahead of time and approved by all the officers involved on both sides. Many people prefer 50 yards. It is best to imagine a 50-foot circle, centered on the muzzle of the gun, and stay out of that circle.

·        Have ear protection with you (all reenactors on the field should keep this available) and use it no matter what.  If no ear protection is available, cover the ear that is exposed close to the piece that is about to fire.  While covering your ear also open your mouth to equalize the pressure, which may ensue.

·        Never fire near or over the limber (Artillery ammunition case towed with cannon).

·        Look at the artillery line occasionally before passing in front of an artillery piece. 

·         Familiarize yourself with the signals used by artillery crews. 

1.      A rammer held vertically on one hub of the gun carriage indicates that the piece has been loaded.

2.      Rammers crossed over the gun indicate that a misfire has occurred; in other words, that the gunners do not have complete control over the piece, and it is possible that it will fire without warning. Do not ever approach a gun displaying this signal.

3.      A rammer left in the bore of a piece indicates that it is safe.

REV. 10.24.04