SECTION 1 - PARTICIPATION
- Participation is by invitation only. The invitations are the prerogative of the staff of the Maryland Park Service at Fort Frederick State Park.
- Invitations are made to recreate 17th, 18th, and 19th century military units only (those solely equipped with weapons), not individuals.
- In order to compete, a unit must have at least one (1) team, composed of five military members, which will compete in the two mandatory events.
- Musket team competition
- Drill team competition
- Due to time constraints, a maximum of two teams from each unit may compete.
SECTION 2 - OFFICIALS
- The officials will be thoroughly familiar with the conditions of the program and the rules therein.
- Each respective competing team shall supply a unit member to assist with judging the drill competition. The supplied judge can participate on his drill team. Judges will officiate only in his particular time period. A judge will not officiate while his team is on the "field" going through the exercise.
- The park manager will be the Executive Officer of the said event. He will make all formal decisions regarding the event.
- The park superintendent will designate a Chief Range Officer who is in full charge of the range, and will conduct the match in accordance with the schedule. He is responsible for range safety, and enforcing rules. It is his duty to rule on all protests and challenges. He may recommend that any or all parts of scores be disregarded if, in his opinion, the conditions warrant such action. He will be in charge of all statistical work in connection with the match. Such Range Officers as may be required assist him.
SECTION 3 - WEAPONS
- Matchlock, full stock, smooth cylinder bore only of at least .50 caliber.
- No rear sight permitted.
- Only one (1) projectile may be fired per shot.
- Must be loaded from a bandolier of charges.
- Pan priming from flask, horn or charge.
- Rammers must be used in loading and returned between shots.
- Each competitor/team shall provide its own ammunition. For safety reasons, State Forest and Park Service Staff will collect these musket balls. All musket balls are to be turned in at the Registration Tent upon arrival at the fort.
SECTION 4 - SAFETY
- The park superintendent shall appoint a Chief Weapons Safety Officer (usually the Chief Ranger Officer who will have overall responsibility for weapons and ammunition inspection and safety procedures.
- Weapons and ammunition will be spot checked prior to the matches for adherence to match rules and safety. The Chief Weapons Safety Officer and/or the Chief Range Officer reserve the right to have any weapon or ammunition checked at any time during the match.
- Tables will be set up on the range area for the cleaning and maintenance of weapons. All field cleaning will be performed in this area.
- Fouled weapons will be handled with extreme care. Notify the Range Officer as the need arises. Clear weapons using procedures specified in the AVOLUNTEER=S GUIDE TO BLACK POWDER USE.@
SECTION 5 - THE COMPETITION
- The competition consists of Two team competitions.
- Musket Shooting Team competition.
- Drill Team competition.
- The scores are accumulated by the competing teams in the above events are combined into an aggregate score for the cup. The specific rules and scoring for each of these events is defined below.
- Due to time constraints a unit may only enter two teams. Each team will compete in both competitions.
- Maximum points accruable toward the Muskets in Maryland Cup are as follows:
- Drill 33.3 points
- Shooting No limit*
* Shooting scores are based solely on the number of hits. However, historically there are a statistical number of possible hits based on the number of shots that can be fired. Therefore, if there are more than 60 hits per target set, the Chief Range Officer may choose to evaluate their validity in conference with his assistants and other officials as he may choose.
- Awards will be made for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place standings.
SECTION 6 - MUSKET TEAM COMPETITION
- Each unit participating in the competition must enter at least one team in the Musket Team Competition that is a component of the competition.
- The members of the musket team MUST be the same individuals as the members of the drill team.
- The musket team shall consist of five uniformed musket shooters. The uniforms for each team must be from the same unit and period but all rank and functional variations are acceptable: officers, musicians, pioneers, etc. May fire on the team. In addition there any be a non-firing team captain and/or a drummer.
- The muskets and ammunition used and the method of loading and firing shall be in compliance with Section III Paragraphs 1 and 6.
- The event is fired in two (2) phases:
Phase 1- Standard Volley (Salvee) Fire - Each team will fire five volleys at 4 life-sized silhouettes at a distance of 25 yards. DO NOT RELOAD AFTER LAST VOLLEY. All weapons will be cleared before next phase.
Phase 2 - Volley (Salvee) and Movement - Each team will fire 2 volleys (salvees) at 4 life sized silhouettes at 3 different distances 65, 50, & 25 yards. DO NOT RELOAD UNTIL ORDERED TO DO SO. All weapons will be cleared before the next phase.
- Scoring - Each hit will count as 1 point. Penalties may be assessed as described below:
- Misfires, Hangfires, etc. - Muskets misfiring on volley (salvee) will be discharged on the next volley (salvee). Individual discharges are not allowed and will be penalized. There is no point deduction if a musket fails to fire.
- Disabled Muskets
- A competitor with a weapon that has a ball that is not safely seated at the breech will be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE COMPETITION and the weapon will be safely unloaded under the direction of a range officer.
- A competitor with a weapon that is misfiring may continue to attempt to fire it during the current phase of the competition. However, any competitor with a weapon that is not cleared after 2 falls of the hammer at the end of a phase will be REMOVED FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE COMPETITION.
- In the event of a misfire, uncock the match, do the prime, lay down and quit your musket.
- Ammunition - For three activities listed above, each team will need a total of approximately 60
rounds. Teams should also have enough spare ammunition on hand to allow for breaking any ties
that may occur.
- Awards will be made for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place standings. These awards have no effect on a unit=s standing in the Overall Competition.
SECTION 7 - DRILL TEAM COMPETITION
- Each unit participating in the Muskets in Maryland must enter at least one team in the Drill Team Competition that is a component of the Muskets in Maryland Competition.
- The members of the drill team MUST be the same individuals as the members of the musket team.
- A drill team shall consist of five muskets on the line that will perform the exercises. In addition, there may be a team captain, either an identifiable officer or non-commissioned officer and/or a drummer for a total of six or seven team members.
- The uniforms for each team must be from the same unit and period but all rank and function variations are acceptable: officers, NCO=s pioneers, musicians, etc. The exception is that an individual may not drill with a musket if dressed as a musician.
- The drill shall be performed with a smoothbore musket as described in Section II Paragraph 1.
- The drill team competition will take place on the fort parade ground.
- There is one category in which units compete:
- Regulars- All regular military units must compete in this category. (F & I War period Rogers Rangers are considered to be regulars).
- Scoring - Scoring shall be done as follows: each maneuver will be scored as shown on the score sheet. The total score will then be divided by 3 to give the drill team a score that will be applied to the aggregate score.
- Awards will be made for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place standings. These awards have no effect on a unit=s standing in the Muskets in Maryland competition.
- Competition Routine - Drill teams will perform the following exercises in the prescribed order. Two blank cartridges will be required for the competition and each team will be inspect prior to their performance to insure no ball ammunition is carried by any team member.
- Assemble to perform exercise - it is up to the individual team to use the appropriate routine/method applicable to their impression to perform this. The judging commences with the signal for the troops to assemble.
- Facing Movements
- Face to the right hand (4 times)
- Face to the left hand (4 times)
- Face to right about (2 times)
- Manual of Arms - Perform the loading sequence "by the numbers" from the position of shouldered fire locks and finish in position ready to march off. The team is to load with a blank cartridge.
- Marching Movements*
- Wheel to the left
- Wheel to the right about
- Countermarch to the right about
- Wheel to the left about
- Wheel to the right
- Countermarch to the left about
- Stand
* Team should take at least 10 paces while performing each movement.
Note: Markers are placed on parade ground to assist commanders moving their troops through the competition. They are there for reference only and have no bearing on performance of unit. There are no penalties for stepping on markers, missing them, etc.
- Volley (Salvee) Firing - Fire musket, reload with blank using rapid loading sequence (Make Ready), and fire again (Present, and Give Fire). On the second volley (salvee) the judging ceases, all subsequent movements have no bearing on the team=s score.
- Each team is to exit the field by moving to the right and pass behind the east barracks to return to the start point. This allows subsequent teams to begin their performance as soon as the current one is completed.
- The sequence of judging shall be on a first-come-first-served basis. Team commanders may insert their unit into the queue by presenting themselves at the officials' stand (south-west corner of the east barracks inside the fort.)
- Teams that are waiting their turn shall wait quietly so as not to distract the judges or the team currently performing.
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