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The
Musket flanked the pike on the battle field and, although the
individual firearm was fairly inaccurate, when fired in a volley at
close range could inflict the most appalling damage. The rear ranks
would move between the front ranks in order to keep a continuous volley
of shots. The musketeer was generally armed with a matchlock musket
that had a barrel of approx. 4.5 feet. The musket was muzzle loaded
with powder and ball rammed with wading and fired via the match igniting
the powder in the priming pan.
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The
Earl of Manchester's musketeers use live firing muskets as well as dummy
muskets. The live firing muskets are fully working reproductions and
therefore require, by law, a shotgun licence. You will be also required
to have a black powder licence. When you first join the musket you will
be armed with a 'dummy' or non-firing musket. Before you can go onto
the battlefield with a live firing musket you must undertake training
and pass a proficiency test. This aspect of the Regiment can eventually
incur abit more expense as you are required to buy a musket and other
essential equipment.
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