2008 “Sack of St. Augustine: Capt. Robert Searle’s Raid of 1668”
Safety Guidelines for Black Powder Small Arms
Greetings to all who will be using black powder weapons at the 2008 “Sack of St. Augustine: Capt. Robert Searle’s Raid of 1668” re-enactment. We are looking forward to seeing you! While many of you are experienced musketeers, some of you will be new to us and, perhaps, somewhat new to handling black powder weapons. We have many NPS trained and certified members who can assist you in learning to safely handle these weapons, if needed, so please don't hesitate to ask questions. Those of us who have been using muskets for years also have to guard against getting careless in the excitement of battle. This is a very real possibility - the best way to avoid the mistake of pointing a muzzle in an unsafe direction is to practice loading and handling it with the muzzle elevated.
On Saturday morning (March 1), at the Fountain of Youth Park, we will have weapons inspection, test fire small arms, and do musket drill, so you’ll want be there early. Participation in these activities is required for everyone firing black powder weapons during this re-enactment. If you do not participate in the morning inspection, you cannot be allowed to fire weapons in downtown St. Augustine. This inspection will take the place of certification, since that process is not yet in place.
All firearms must be appropriate to the 17th-century (circa 1668). Earlier edged weapons may be allowed, but firearms from later periods will not. For example, a Queen Ann pistol or a Revolutionary War “Brown Bess” is not acceptable.
All participants planning to fire black powder weapons must ensure their weapons are in proper, safe condition to be fired. Because of the close quarters involved in urban fighting, special attention should be given to oversized touchholes. These should be properly repaired or flash deflectors added, in consideration of the musketeers on either side of you. A pan flash in anyone’s face isn’t something to be taken lightly. Matchlock pan covers must not be loose. They must be tight enough to stay closed and not flop open. The primary cause of unexpected “cook offs” is pan covers being open and sparks from the matchcord falling into the pan.
We plan to have live-fire action at two sites in Old Towne San Agustin, on either end of St. George Street. This will require marching/fleeing the length of it, depending on whether you’re portraying a buccaneer or Spaniard. Black powder weapons must be unloaded during street movement, because there is no way to prevent tourists from mingling with re-enactors. There will be plenty of time to load your weapons at the live-fire sites. After the live-firing is over, matchcords should be extinguished and any unfired black powder remaining in guns should be immediately "dumped" – both for safety and because, in the generally humid air of St. Augustine, powder left in barrels will quickly absorb moisture.
Because we will be firing at several intervals, it is advisable for musketeers to carry basic cleaning items with them, such as cleaning patches, jags, and, most especially, vent picks. Also consider carrying extra matchcord, flints, or pyrites (whichever applies to your firearm). Those using matchcord will find that having a “magic flint” (lighter) is helpful. The Historic Florida Militia will provide powder and matchcord for this Event.
We plan to make this a safe, enjoyable, “responsible” Event. For those of you who have never fought at close quarters in America’s oldest city, this will be a real experience, so mind the distaff and keep yer nasty barrels elevated, ye scurvy dawgs!
Warning Orders for March 2008 event
A More Complete Account of the Original Attack
Biography of Captain Robert Searle
Rules and Guidelines for the Event
Rules and Guidelines for Black Powder Weapons
Rules and Guidelines for Swords and Edged Weapons
Posters and Reviews from prior events