The Color Guard is one of the SAR’s most visible symbols of our mission, to educate the public, our members and our youth on the patriots who served during the Revolutionary War.

Recent Musket Salute at Washington Park

At most of our public events, we have the Color Guard fire blank musket salutes.  This is an impressive sight, with the noise and clouds of smoke being a very memorable site.  With the symbolism of the event, there is risk.  Proper training is key to minimizing this risk.

Even though we are firing blank volleys, there is danger with explosive black gun powder involved.  Proper handling of firearms at all times is key for safety and respect for those around us.

Bob Hill, the State of Ohio Color Guard Commander has organized a “Musket Black Powder Training” course for Color Guardsman to participate.  The goal of the training is to prepare our teams with the knowledge, training and practice to execute proper and safe Musket Volleys and musket handling at all times.

Recent Grave Marking event with Commander Bob Hill (r)

Any SAR member who is interested can attend.  The primary benefits of this course is for musket handling SAR Color Guardsman to participate hands on with a musket.

If an prospective Color Guardsman, or one who does not have a musket they can team up ahead of time with a member who has a musket.  This is not ideal, however acceptable.  If you are short a musket, please reach out to your Color Guard Commander to see if there are available extra muskets (no guarantees).

One of the benefits is how to learn how to properly and safely handle a musket.  Successful completion of the training will result in the award of a Musket Black Powder “Certificate of Training”.

CCSAR Color Guard “Mourn Arms” with Commander Jason Bourgeois

Additional benefits / objectives include:

• able to handle a weapon for safety training,
• learning to avoid pointing the firearm at anything you do not want to accidentally shoot (!)
• manual-of-arms and
• firing commands training.

Ideally, it should be a goal of every Color Guard member who fires a musket to have this training. 

This training will permit the asking of questions and take some of the mystery and apprehension out of participating in future Color Guard firing events.

Larry Potter of the Benjamin Franklin Chapter, a NRA certified black powder instructor will teach the first half of the class that covers NRA safety standards.

Bob Hill will teach the second half of the class concerning:

• Von Steuben manual-of-arms and firing commands,
• how to conduct a musket safety check, and
• nomenclature and cleaning of muskets,
• how to make proper cartridges, and
• possibly facing and marching movements.
• We will actually fire blank cartridges to practice ceremonial three volley salutes.

What do you need to bring with you:

• I will have everyone bring their own cartridges,
• a minimum of six (90 grains of 2F or 3F powder per cartridge).
• Uniforms are unnecessary,
• bring a flintlock musket or rifle, cartridge box, round hat (tricorn or rifleman), and
• if available, a bayonet, scabbard and sling.

How Long Will this Take?

The class shouldn’t last more than two to three hours.

Accommodations:

I’m still not sure of the seating arrangements of the location, so for now I will ask everyone to bring their own seating, snacks and drinks, although I will have bottled water available.

Location: 

The class will be held at The Abruzzi Club, 273 Hanawalt Road, Westerville, OH 43081.

Date and Time:

The date and time are Sunday, June 29th, beginning at 1:00 PM.

Registration Ask:

Registration is not necessary, but Bob would like to have people to contact him if attending so he has an idea of how many to expect: Leeslegiondragoon@gmail.com.

Rewards for attending:

Everyone who attends and passes the class will receive:

• a certificate of training and
• will be designated on the OHSSAR Color Guard Roster as being Black Powder Musket Safety Trained.

Thank you, looking forward to a great event,

Bob Hill

OHSSAR State Color Guard Commander