Speaking of "flinchlocks" I love the part in the Patriot where the two sides are fighting and the men are shooting. The turn their heads away from the spark! HA HA HA, I think that is how most of the guys in the club I was in must shoot. They could not hit a bull in the A$$ with a butter paddle. Ron
Ok well I guess I will get this even farther off topic .
Once again a flint lock properly taken care of is just as fast as a cap lock . The only noticeable difference is found under timed photography and even then its less then a 1000th of a sound . I have shot flintlocks exclusively for 20+ years and I can say that on the shooting line I watch folks often having many more problems with their percussions then those that are shooting flintlocks
“ not counting those just entering into the flintlock ignition “.
Flinching the flash is from in experience . I can tell you that in short order one will never sees the flash again . Now jerking the trigger is something that both percussion and flint have in common . That however has nothing to do with the ignition system
As to the rest . LoTM was holly wood and while it had its good points , it takes a knowledgeable person
To find them ohh and silk
Wont give you any longer range , im sorry that’s holly wood as well.
As is the giant weapon thrown and used by Russle Means . Sorry wrong size IE made to fit the big screen lol
Ok as to seeing British turn their heads in the patriot. Myself I was glad that someone finally showed this .
We have to remember a few things . These troops ,while highly trained were part of a weapons system not individualized
IE sarge ,,, im left handed . How about a left handed bess ?
Reply !@#$ @#$%^&& s you right handed weapon now bugger off and get in line! Befor I @#$#@ ^&* your %^&^%$ lol .
Also now think on this . Your rank and file , closed ranks and dress right dress .
Now any one here that’s shot a flint or stood within 5 ft on the wrong side of the lock when fired can tell you about how much flame and fire comes out and hits you .
So now think about where the fire is going in a rank and file volly ? The person to your right is less then 24 inches from your pan . Turning ones head would probably been very common for left handed shooters who would get hit twice as hard or the un trained troops . Maybe very common through even the trained ranks .
We also have to remember accuracy was not an issue . These men were full part of a complete weapons system and tactic that we find today to be ,,, welll fool hardy to say the least and we cant seem to relate to it in most any way .
IE .look at the guy turning his head how is he supposed to hit anything ?
Well there is the point , he wasn’t . his job was follow orders . If an opening was made in the rank in front of him he was to step up and fill that hole without hesitation or question , point his weapon down range at the enemy and fire , re load and thus be ready to fire again when the command was give.
This was volley fire and the point was not to be accurate but to put as many rounds down range into the general vicinity of the enemy under a given amount of time . There was no need to be accurate, the shear number of projectiles took care of what needed to be done .
I have read where the common standard for the British was “ I could be off here with the 6 but “ 4 to 6 round per minute depending on classification of your unit . that’s fire , load and fire at a minimum of every 15 seconds . Two ranks of fire ,1 round per weapon , every 7 ½ seconds .
Now place yourself on the receiving end of a volley of say a company of trained regulars . Your standing in the open next to your buddies at less the 40 yards . Loading you A@# off when you’re here the command from the office across from you to FIRE!!!,, second rank !!!! You have not even had time to properly wet yourself and you have been covered with 240 ,, 69 cal round balls whizzing in you general directions. that’s 120 rounds down range just from one company , every 71/2 second . Now imagine if you will that that being 2 ,,3 companies or the complete front line .
IMO I wouldn’t care if the fella was looking at me or not . I getting my hind end to the nearest tree as fast is my feet will get me their .
So basically as I said above we have problems relating until we start to ask why would a person do this , whats the history behind
?
Then suddenly we realize and see those little parts of hollywood that hold a small degree of truth . while at the same time calling foul to Magwa jumping the flash lol
