Sure did...and it probably looked a lot like this one...
Posted on 10/04/2008 8:10:58 AM PDT by Pharmboy
Edited on 10/04/2008 8:28:15 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
I do WW2 reenacting, and let me tell you, they are very strict about live ammo and safety.
You have to pull the bolt out of your rifle and show it to the Feldwebel, and produce a stripper clip of blank from your ammo pouches.
There was one event where some Allied unit made grenades that were so powerful that a few of the German Soldaten was hit with rocks that was packed so lovingly around the charge.
I’m a reenactor too. LOL. This is beginning to sound like an AA meeting. I don’t carry a gun, but I have me story to tell back at the cabins. Wolfpen Woods, KY. is a pioneer village (approx. 1795). Great place for school children to learn about their heritage. Asults too.
sheesh. Adults that is.
You are correct on what you posted.
It was done at the “behest of filmmakers” and used “extras”.
Since the G-burg movie filmmakers have found out they came save tons of money on “extras”. Simply put “the word out” and reenactors will show up with their own gear. Anything to be in a movie.
They’ll work cheap to.
But as you noted this comes without the safeguards put in place by a typical reenactment.
“Movie call” and lack of oversight lets the Yahoo’s run free.
I’ve been doing reenacting for the last fifteen years. Rigged out for either side as a regular or geurilla. Living history is such a hoot! That this sort of thing happens shouldn’t surprise anyone. Some ‘hard core’ reenactors are so into their impressions that they almost seem to be dissapointed that they don’t get dysentry. I like to reenact not relive. I was almost speared by a ram rod once and that was on a film shoot as well. When you are about to be over run by a band of screaming ‘sabre fairies’ charging on those big horse even though you know its not real its is terrifying and the adrenalin starts to pump. Thats when things can get dangerous and guys forget saftey rules. Since I usually get killed I make it a point to try to go down quickly and in the shade if possible.
A horseshoe square in the gut hurts just as bad whether it’s during a reenactment or a real live battle!
“I make it a point to try to go down quickly and in the shade if possible.”
LOL!
Mike
Sounds like another gallop-by shooting. Thanks Pharmboy.
“....although not normally with live ammunition.”
Well theres the problem right there.
Sure did...and it probably looked a lot like this one...
It's the most common description but not necessarily the most accurate.
Many folks refer to this conflict as the War Between the States, or from the north: The War of Rebellion. Southerners with deep roots call this The War of NAWthun Aggression or more passionately: The recent unpleasantness.
Isn't some sort of wadding needed to both hold the powder in place prior to ignition, and to maintain pressure until the powder has substantially ignited?
Not for the most part.
The rifle is “loaded” in the upright position so the powder falls to the bottom. As long as the rife is carried upright, or at least the muzzle not dropped below the horizontal there is no problem with ignition.
If somebody does get the muzzle too low they might dump their powder or get a “phzzzzt” instead of a “bang”.
It is hard to “load” in this way during skirmishing so you’ll see most raise the barrel to a vertical position and tap the but on the ground to “seat” the powder.
The paper used to hold the powder can be rammed and is done so at some reenactments. For the most part there is nothing wrong with that but there are a few issues.
On the conn side some have been known to leave the rammer in and fire it, somebody might have used staples or such and they become a projectile and the paper is burning and does set grass fires.
On the plus side it keeps the powder in place, better ignition, slows the rate of fire to a more realistic rate and keeps the powder dry when it’s raining.
All in all, most mainstream reenactments go the route of most safety.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.