From: viking@iastate.edu (Dan Sorenson)
Subject: Re: Primitive FireArms
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 09:44:32 GMT

In <6185@naucse.cse.nau.edu> wew@naucse.cse.nau.edu (Bill Wilson) writes:

>I fanyone is interested, I will be hosting a period shoot in Ered
>Sul (Flagstaff, AZ) in May or June.  The contests will include
>matchlock musket, early style flintlock pistol, wheellock and
>a general catagory for flintlock muskets.

	This brings up a safety question, at least in my eyes.  I shoot
black powder mundanely, and have enjoyed the sport for several years.
Some friends with old shotguns have had me load black powder shotshells
for them since smokeless powder would most likely burst the barrels of
the old fowling pieces, and I refuse to shoot or be within sight of
people shooting old guns.  Reproductions are fine.

	Where do we draw the line?  The SCA does not, I'm told, allow
firearms in contests, but a period firearm might be allowed on site if
there are no laws against it and it is in persona.  To actually fire
one, though, creates not only the safety problem of bullets flying
down range, but of modern powders and target loads in guns not
designed for them.  I fear a burst barrel most than the bullet.

	Should percussion cap be disallowed, despite its superior
safety and reliability?  What about modern black powder guns versus
older guns or reproductions?

	Quite frankly, I would enjoy a black powder shoot while at an
SCA event.  You'll hopefully allow my Ruger Old Army (6-shot BP
revolver, percussion cap) or my Thompson Renegade (Hawken-style,
percussion cap) because I certainly will not shoot anything I do not
consider the safest I can be holding, nor will I stand near somebody
shooting an old Damascus-barrel firearm using any black powder.

	The question, I guess, is where does safety become more
important than authenticity, and at what stage does the technical
advantage overcome the skill of the marksman?  Perhaps we ought to
look at the rules regarding bows and see if they fit?

	Flintlocks, matchlocks, and the like are fine, but pulling
a bullet in the case of a mis-fire is a serious dread for me, and one
I think even a percussion cap can alleviate to a great extent.  Too
make matters worse, we are all authorized before fighting.  It is
plain that authorization is necessary before firing.  I suspect the
NRA can offer material for a course on this, but if shooting is to be
done within the SCA I think we're starting anew and have much to
discuss with regards to reasonable standards and safety.

	As a mundane note, I'm an NRA and an SCA member, and I do
not hope to see this discussion devolve into a "guns are dangerous
and have no place in society" argument.  For that, please mail me
directly (viking@iastate.edu).  Since they are period and interest
has been shown, let's discuss a proper SCA regulation for them.

< Dan Sorenson, DoD #1066 z1dan@exnet.iastate.edu viking@iastate.edu >
<  ISU only censors what I read, not what I say.  Don't blame them.  >
<  "This isn't an answer, it's a pagan dance around a midnight fire  >
<   written in intellectual runes." -- Rich Young                    >





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