No, not that kind of fire drill but an 18th Century musket firing drill performed by re-enactors in uniform and equipment of the French & Indian War.
This firing drill demonstration was conducted on a plaza across the street from Pointe-a-Calliere Archaeology and History Museum in Montreal, Quebec. Nancy and I were visiting Montreal last week and as we climbed out onto the observation tower at the museum in Old Montreal, we were greeted by the sight of a firing drill below the tower. A pleasant surprise and we had a perfect viewing platform from which to watch the proceedings.
Nancy shot the following two videos from our observation post while I looked on and snapped off a few stills. Watch for the NCO's equipment malfunction during the drill.
After the demonstration, we scurried down the stairs and across the street to the plaza to catch the re-enactors before they dispersed. The re-enactors were kind enough to pose for a quick photo. Yes, I am small but these fellas are big! Notice the distinct contrast between the gris-blanc of the justacorps and the white gaiters. These coats are definitely grey.
That really was a pleasant surprise. They have done a great job on the uniforms.
ReplyDeleteHi Lawrence! This post was likely a surprise since it didn’t show up in either my Reading List or Blogs Followed list for a couple of hours. Not sure why the Blogger posting delay but all seems to be in order now.
DeleteThe uniforms do look great.
Very cool. They sometimes do firing exercises of this type at the Citadel here in Halifax as well. Different period, though.
ReplyDeleteThe demonstration was very cool to watch. I was especially interested in their firing stance which looked odd to me.
DeleteHaving seen the diagrams I was surprised how quick they were, slower in battle of course but still fast.
ReplyDeleteYes, they were quite fast in execution!
DeleteA couple of great video snips there Jonathan. I must say though that the chap on the far right of the still shot might have made a bit more of an effort with his uniform!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed my wife's cinematography! The one fellow may have had a mix-up at the depot and received a uniform a size or two too large.
DeleteNeat looking drill and uniforms!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Indeed!
DeleteA fortunate visit always nice to see something different 🙂
ReplyDeleteThis was an unexpected bonus!
DeleteEnough inspiration to tackle some more F&I figures?
ReplyDeleteInspiration, yes. Room in the painting queue, not quite yet. I do want to paint a unit or two of the new Sash & Saber figures to see how they look.
DeleteNice video and pictures; love the uniforms!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it!
DeleteNice to have such a Impression.
ReplyDeleteThe uniforms are not looking as they are made for these guys. Besides chapeau to them. I always hated to perform a reenactment in such a modern scenery.
The uniforms look a little on the large size. Do you have photos of your re-enacting days?
DeleteI wrote you an answer on the HoW-forum (pm).
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