The P53 Enfield Rifle-Musket: Musketry and Modes of Fire

[@charlesinglin]

Wow! It's the "Attack of the Victorian Clone Army"! Very interesting stuff. Thanks.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Charles Inglin Thanks. Glad you liked it!

[@notarokescientist3003]

You have an incredible mother to bring to life so many children.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Let's leave her out of this.... 🙂

[@caseysimpson1806]

Fascinating! Thank you for the recommended reading -Colonel M. Snook. I have read The River War and the Malakand Field Force by Winston S. Churchill.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Great books indeed!

[@MBsaturnus]

somehow the guys in this company look strikingly similiar!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+ultor europae I think they are all related...

[@MadRobexe]

Thank you again for a most interesting and inspirational video. Top quality as allways!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+MadRobexe Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@MachoSquatcho]

Criminally underrated. This channel is amazing!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you!

[@barrywebber100]

Thought I watched this years ago! Glad I've seen it now! Love the multiple image effects, very effective! Thanks for posting.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it! One of the first forays into "effects"... :)

[@diktatoralexander88]

I like the editing. And about the Indian Mutiny, that was quite a dark war. Such as the story about the soldiers returning to that one city and finding all the dead bodies in the well..

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Diktator Alexander There certainly wasn't much in the way of sympathy on either side.

[@diktatoralexander88]

I honestly got the chills reading about that war. But yes indeed, it is a fine example of the dark horrors and lack of Sympathy men can have towards each other.

[@bgibbons5998]

Another awesome video. I love your channel. I am continually impressed with the great lengths the British Army went to train on accurate rifle fire. The US Army prior to and even during the Civil War had nothing remotely similar. No school of musketry, no long range marksmanship training, and barely any discussion of aimed fire in the regulations at all. Good thing the US and UK never fought each other during this period; the Brits would have kicked our butts!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+B Gibbons Thanks! Glad you liked it. I think that the professional nature of the British Army gave it an advantage when it came to training and training systems. That said, battalions that were posted in military backwaters or other out-of-the-way locations may not have had the benefit of ranges and/or time to shoot full annual courses.. Musketry was, however, an important military subject as is evidenced by the existence of a School dedicated to shooting, as you mentioned. As for a US/UK showdown (maybe Trent related), when you look at the sheer size of American Armies during the Civil War compared with the relatively small number of troops sent to Canada, it wouldn't have been a simple affair.... Not to mention if things got really heated, the expanding British Army would have been filled with lesser experienced men that may have had varying degrees of ability with their P53s.... However, battalion for battalion, you may have a point. By the book, British soldiers were trained to fire out to 900yds.... Good discussion point!

[@caseysimpson1806]

Well said. From what I have read, there were very few trained soldiers on either side at the beginning of the Civil War. The rapid expansion and formation of large armies became a top priority. Quantity vs. quality I suppose.

[@foowashere]

I'm really glad I finally got time to sit down and watch this. Very interesting and the editing is not only very well done, it's amazingly informative as well. The dynamics of the formations are made very clear. Well done, Sir!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+FooWasHere Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!

[@trailheads313]

Absolutely epic video editing. I can't imagine the painstaking late nights you spent to bring us this awesome video. You are a BOSS. Thanks brother in arms

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Very kind if you to say so. Thank you.

[@versal339]

What can you say. Just outstanding Rob.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Hugh Batesel Thanks Hugh. Glad you liked it.

[@edwilson5727]

as ever another great video. . the effects are getting better too.. you know what a fan I am of the 'no Fire command' era of drill manuals! Top notch stuff (and great detail on the campaign dress during the Mutiny!)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Ed Wilson Thanks Ed. The evolution of the drills and methods of musketry is certainly a topic for many-an-hour of research! Cheers.

[@sorichar]

Fascinating and very informative. Thanks for sharing!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+sorichar Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers.

[@galloglass6176]

Better than the discovery channel!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Galloglass Glad you approve! Thanks.

[@Sheerwater909]

Never knew you were one of decuplets Rob. Nappy (diaper) changing must have been continuous. Another great video and the editing really makes it seem real.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+John Brooks Thanks John. You should have seen it,... we only had one bathroom growing up... :-)... Glad you liked it. Cheers.

[@30mmPwnage]

Brilliant video. Look forward to the next one!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+30mmPwnage Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Aetherling]

Superb representation. Thanks.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Aetherling Thank you for your kind words.

[@string-bag]

Well done Rob ,as always enjoyable.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+K Grant Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@233NATOMAN]

Really very good material and so well researched.Thankyou!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Graham Gibbs You are welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@teec3385]

Just excellent Rob, thanks for this.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Tee Campez You're welcome, Terry. Thanks for the kind words.

[@mitchellline3398]

Thank you for the great video

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You are most welcome.

[@duncanandrews1940]

Well done again Rob and some good film magic to boot. Muist have taken you a while to work all that out.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Duncan Andrews Thanks Duncan. It did take some time to get it sorted. Not the best terminal effect though, I'd have to get a bigger screen for that.... Hmmmm,.... maybe if I sew two together..... "Hobby-Grade" I like to call it.... :-) Cheers.

[@waynehuff3984]

Well Done! Fighting against the British must have felt like hitting a brick wall. They worked so well with the weapon they had at the time and used every advantage it gave. It looks like they invented a few new moves to help.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They were professional after all...

[@pdalko]

Very well done.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+pdalko Cheers.

[@TwentythreePER]

Very impressed with the multiple "yous". I'm curious though why the rear man would wait for the front man to reload. It seems the rate of fire could be doubled if the rear rank fired while the front rank reloaded, instead of waiting for them to reload before firing.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The idea was that there never was a time where everybody was unloaded/in the process of reloading.... there was always men with loaded weapons in the event of something happening that required an emergency delivery of fire. Cheers.

[@Badwolf75]

Just found your channel. Excellent videos. Subscribed.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Badwolf75 Glad to have you aboard! Thanks for the subby.

[@mitchellline3398]

The grand 19th century clone army

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Yes, as shown by the "hobby-grade" effects...

[@Hunter4042012]

Thank you, it was very informative.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Hunter4042012 You are welcome. Glad you got something from it.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Hunter4042012 You are welcome. Glad you got something from it.

[@Hunter4042012]

+britishmuzzleloaders Yeh it is really cool to me, I am a bit of a History buff. Also, I am a Kiwi so you have a viewer from Invercargill New Zeland, the other side of the world basically.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

***** Didn't make quite that far south last time I was there, but next time!... Enjoyed every minute in your wonderful country. Cheers.

[@boone674]

Certainly different compared to the American manuals at the time, which would have Civil War era, when it comes to volleys. According to Hardee's and Scott's manuals, the order to "Fire" is still given to produce a volley. Of course, after the orders "Ready" and "Aim" in Hardee's and "Make Ready" and "Take Aim" in Scott's is given. I also see some striking similarities with other ways such as skirmish formation when it comes to firing. Always nice to see another countries perspective.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+boone674 In the end, all these drills are for essentially the same weapon... whether it be Enfield or Springfield... To an observer, positioned some ways away, out of earshot, I am sure that there would be little to choose from either set of drills.... Muskets come up,....... pause,........they all fire.... Interesting to see a difference in terminal effect when firing in one's own time (within reason, as in the British drill) or firing on command "Fire" (as with the American, and, incidentally, British Drills after 1881)... Mmmmm,... new topic for a video... Thanks!

[@boone674]

+britishmuzzleloaders As an american Civil War reenactor portraying the 3rd Missouri Confederate Infantry, I am quite proficient with Hardee's Manual and somewhat with Scott's. If you would like i could send you a video of me performing Hardee's manual at a later date through email. I love this stuff so thanks for making this!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+boone674 That would be great.... PM sent.

[@ukima6412]

So because it was still easier to load standing, how common was the kneeling skirmishing formation then? You say it was universal, but to what extent? How did average battles look like? When I think of the German unification campaigns for example in 1864 and 1866 against Denmark and Austria, I believe the Austrians and Danes commonly still stood while loading and firing, whilst the Prussians would oftenly kneel or lay down with their Dreyse breech loading rifles. Another question about breech loading rifles. Would they still form tight formations quite oftenly or skirmish a lot more?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Kneeling was quite common... Did you see the photos in the clip of skirmish training? They are almost exclusively in that position. The evolution of tactics was gradual and did not directly follow the adoption of newer weapons. It was not until the 1877 Infantry Manual that extended order tactics were promulgated for the attack.... before hand, it would have been a main body in close order,covered by skirmishers in extended order.... That said, the use of extended order became more and more pervasive as the Infantry as a whole became better at it.

[@projectilequestion]

First off very good editing, and as per usual a very interesting and informative video. Although not relevant to this video, but none the less, I have heard the soldiers of the period tended to 'fire high', but I cannot ascertain why they tended to do this. Do you have any thoughts?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+projectilequestion I think that firing high has been a problem with men under stress from the very first use of firearms... Not taking the time to aim correctly and firing somewhat hastily, results in a gravitation to fire high...

[@projectilequestion]

britishmuzzleloaders Yes. Do you know if this is still common today.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

projectilequestion I would say that it depends on the quality of the troops.... The better and more experienced they are, the better they shoot... The less-so, the more high firing there is...

[@1964ahdn]

Fantastic video, don’t suppose you have the source for the photos of the infantry in extended order for the mock battle/manoeuvres do you? Would love to see if there were more like them.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I can't for the life of me remember.. sorry. Might try the Royal Collection and search for "Curragh".....

[@1964ahdn]

britishmuzzleloaders It worked! Thanks very much, just wanted to see if there were any other period photos of infantry in extended order for my reenactment society as we do light infantry in 1814. Looks impressive to see what a battalion in extended order with supports and reserves looks like.

[@rodgerlisamoore5786]

You need to cool that barrel off between shots for better accuracy. I use a long tube sock soaked in water.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Sure thing!

[@BTeamHooligan]

3:33 Clone Troopers!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+BTeamHooligan THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!!!!!!

[@IAmACanadian]

I love your videos man! Keep it up! By the way, where are u from?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+I AM CANADIAN Hi there. I AM CANADIAN.... (the west) Glad you like the clips.

[@IAmACanadian]

Thats great, and I don't just like your videos, I love them. I love history and blackpowder. So your videos fit the bill just perfectly! And the fact that your Canadian makes it that much better :p

[@611_hornet5]

It's nice to see people showing that soldiers fought in shirt-sleeves order instead of ornate service uniforms back then. I have a strong feeling that this was more common than history remembers in the American Civil War. Never made much sense to me for Union troops to be fighting in dark blue wool jackets in the spring and summer.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Francis Borek According to what documentation I have read, it really was an oddity of the Mutiny... If you look at the Sikh Wars of the 1840s, they were in red in almost every action... Undress shell jackets at times. The widespread use of khaki wasn't commonplace until much later in the era when a dye was developed that was colourfast. Until then, mud, dung, tea, coffee, curry and other things were used to dye the typically white undress smocks and trousers for active service... The opening phases of the Mutiny were fought in the hottest of seasons and the emergent nature of the conflict necessitated a fast, quick and immediate solution that was fast and local... Your statement about shirtsleeves in the ACW is a question worth pursuing. Cheers.

[@diktatoralexander88]

And what you say about soldiers fighting in more normal clothing would be correct. The Confederates during the American Civil War would usually throw away their frock coats during the summer, and fight in more normal garb, Shirt with vest. During the winter they would hope to capture Union uniforms. Generals would demand them to be dyed grey immediately. I personally would have kept the frock coat. Not only is it the uniform I'm supposed to be wearing, but I do not want to be fired upon by my own allies.

[@611_hornet5]

As for the ACW troops wearing shirtsleeves order, one of the few paintings I've seen was a Don Troiani work depicting Union troops moving into the fight at First Bull Run. Thanks for the info about the British troops, it seems like it would unbearably hot in those uniforms.

[@monkeylee4818]

May I know where did you find that picture of battalion deployed in skermishing position?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

From the internet.

[@outerspace9392]

moustache is really popular with the British units

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

More of a lifestyle really... :-)

[@rifleman17hmrshooter]

how did you do this?! volley from clones right to left! present!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+rifleman Green screen... rudimentary, but it's the best I could do...

[@a8205-w8h]

It was very nice!

[@bigsarge2085]

👍

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

Excellent, I can see now why there were so many deaf people around then !

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Englishman French WHAT?!!! HUH?!!!!!!!! SPEAK UP, MAN..... :-)

[@diktatoralexander88]

i CAN;T EVRN READ YOUR COMNET. cAP BLASTED TO CLOSE TP MY EYE!

[@polymathart]

Where is the photo from at 2:18?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It's from the Signal Hill Tattoo in St John's quite a few years back...

[@polymathart]

Where are those bugle calls from? And are they accurate?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

They are, indeed. You can follow along with the music in the books and it matches very nicely.

[@polymathart]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Sorry to reply to a very old comment, but can I ask if you made these bugle calls yourself? Or did you download them from somewhere? I would love to use them while playing my line infantry game.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@polymathart I think you can find them on YT somewhere.

[@kenns9]

Clone Wars?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Impressive....

[@99IronDuke]

If you are interested in this stuff do check out www.victorianmilitarysociety.org.uk/

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Oh yes, familiar with the site.

[@steamengineshooray]

What kind of boots were you wearing? :)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+BSM Iron (Panzer) Lawl Black ones.... :-)... They are cheapish "ammo-style" boots borrowed from a friend. No toe caps.

[@steamengineshooray]

Any plans on investing in DMS boots? :P

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

BSM Iron (Panzer) Lawl Not unless I'm doing a clip of musketry with the SLR....:-)

[@steamengineshooray]

Imagine that, volley firing with the SLR, accurate, controlled and powerful~ Volley firing in full auto and the recoil of 7.62 turns the company into an Anti Aircraft Installation XD

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

BSM Iron (Panzer) Lawl Would be impressive!

[@TheDave570]

The British were still operating as if they were using smooth bore muskets!!! The P53 made each section a rifle Regiment as if they were using bakers. I guess it's hard to break a habit !!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

"The British"?..... and every one else....

[@TheDave570]

Well since you only portray the british, I just mentioned them. I do know all the standing armies of the world, at that time were using the line formations in battle!! Sorry if I insulted you!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

TheDave570 No insult at all, my friend. (ah, internet discussions, eh?)... :-)

[@TheDave570]

No problem !!

[@chestertnted]

All that is missing is a certain mustachioed gentleman.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Who might that be?

[@chestertnted]

@@britishmuzzleloaders ..I was thinking you could get Mr. Forgotten Weapons in one of your fine videos

[@wittsullivan8130]

Mmm, the Clone Wars have begun.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You are not the first to notice! 🙂

[@carolinasmoke5047]

The Confederates (my people) sure could have used some help from the Brits during the war.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Carolina Smoke Wagon I'm sure they could have... Can't say that it would have ever happened, though. Too much of a sticky situation, methinks.

[@carolinasmoke5047]

britishmuzzleloaders Probably not. The British Navy would have been a huge help. I'm a former Civil War re-enactor so I've hauled an Enfield around a fair bit. I need to get it out and shoot it. You have a fascinating channel.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Carolina Smoke Wagon Thanks for that!. Glad it agrees with you.

[@davecompton5847]

so first rank kneeling and second rank standing is a fake...

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Not completely, but not the norm that everyone thinks it was...

[@kaidog9528]

resistance is futile. you will be assimilated

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Kai Dog Little do you know, you already have been....

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Kai Dog Little do you know, you already have been....