We are committed to a safe and enjoyable event, as such; we reserve the right to limit participation, of a person or unit, in any activity due to infractions of safety rules or any conduct issues. Upon evaluation, participation may be restricted to the point of expulsion from this event.
Permitted Historic Weapons
Only “Reproduction Proof Tested Weapons” are permitted.
Training
Only trained and knowledgeable persons are permitted to handle weapons or black powder.
Age Restrictions
- Participants must be:
- at least 16 years of age to be in possession of a musket or edged weapon at this site;
- at least 16 years of age to serve on an artillery crew or act as a powder monkey;
- at least 16 years of age to participate in battle scenarios, except as below.
- Drums and Regimental Colour Parties may field persons 13 to 16 years of age, under direct supervision, in battle scenarios. Please no individual camp or company flag bearers on the field.
Safety Inspection
- All participants using firearms or artillery must pick up an “Inspection Card” during registration.
- A site-approved Safety Inspector will inspect your weapon and endorse your Inspection Card as appropriate.
- The endorsed Inspection Card must be available for presentation on your person at all times.
Black Powder Safety
- “Class 1.1. – Black Powder” is the only propellant allowed at this site.
- "FFg" is the finest grade of black powder to be used for firearms.
- 100 Grains is the maximum load for muskets and will be pre-measured in adhesives-free paper cartridges.
- Black powder must be kept a minimum distance of twenty-five (25) feet from open fire.
- All black powder, black powder cartridges and artillery charges, must be stored safely and securely.
Artillery Crews
- Reenactor participants must adhere to the Parks Canada Management Directive 3.5.7, Historic Weapons (October 2001) and the accompanying Parks Canada Interim Technical Manual, while at this site.
- This site now adheres to the Fort Erie Artillery Memo, which states, “Unless designated Mortars or Howitzers, carriage axles must have a clearance of 60cm or 2 feet. Cannon barrels should be no less than 90cm or 3 feet.” If these restrictions disallow your gun, please approach another gun team to offer your services. There is currently a shortage of experienced gunners.
Firearms
- Only Flintlock Firearms are allowed at this site.
- There will be no ramming of paper cartridge tubes, wads or projectiles.
- Firearms will not be pointed towards any person, loaded or unloaded.
- Flashguards and Hammer Stalls are required.
- Rammers will only enter the barrel of a firearm to prove the weapons safety, for maintenance procedures, or for demonstration purposes where there is no black powder in the barrel.
- Groups and individuals will submit their firearms for inspection to Safety Officers when requested.
Edged Weapons
- Edged weapons are never to be handled by the public and will be secured in their scabbards when in close proximity to the public.
- Marching is not permitted with fixed bayonets.
Safety Officer
- Safety Officers will have full authority to order a “CEASE FIRE” to any individual or unit, or to any Historic Weapons Demonstration or Battle Re-enactment, or at any other time, should any individual or unit engage in unsafe practices or if any person or persons should become injured or incapacitated in any way.
Firing Demonstration Safety
- Anyone firing reproduction historic weapons, including members of gun detachments, must wear natural fiber (preferably wool) outer garments for protection from flash burns.
- Safety glasses (shatterproof) are required if glasses are worn. Hearing protection is strongly advised.
- Firing demonstrations will not take place unless the firing range is clear.
Opposing Line Battle Re-Enactment Scenarios
- Opposing line battle scenarios will be fully choreographed prior to field activities. The chain of command using the pre-determined battle scenario will direct all persons on the field.
- Opposing line musket firing will be oblique firing or depressed to ground firing.
- 30 Meters is the closest range for opposing line musket firing.
- There will be no “Hand to Hand” combat scenarios.
- Opposing lines shall stay at least 10 Meters apart, i.e., at the end of a simulated bayonet charge.
- Under no circumstances will any person freelance or ad-lib during a battle re-enactment.
- When “Taking a Hit” re-enactors will ensure that their cartridge box is closed, their musket barrel has been emptied and the weapon is at half cock (safe) prior to taking the hit. When going to ground, secure the bayonet so that it does not come away from the scabbard.
- Marching is not permitted with fixed bayonets and bayonets will not be fixed during battle scenarios
- No Camp Followers are allowed on the field unless expressly part of a pre-determined battle scenario.
- Water Bearers must stay off the field during the battle scenario.
- Rockets are not permitted during the battle scenario as they present a projectile hazard.
Fire Safety
Whether the park is open or closed to the public these rules will apply at all times.
- Cooking fires are the only open-air fires permitted at this location. (Ont. Fire Code Reg. 2.6.3.4. [1])
- Cooking fires must be extinguished when high winds or any other condition presents a fire hazard.
- Cooking fires must be at least 12 feet from tentage or other combustibles.
- A minimum of one period appropriate 2-gallon bucket of water must be present at each cooking fire.
- Water buckets must remain filled to capacity and may not be used for any other purpose.
- Water buckets must be readily available within 12 feet of the cooking fire.
- A modern extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A-10BC, which is canvas covered and clearly marked with the historic fire extinguisher symbol may be used in place of the water bucket.
- Any cooking fire that is no longer in use or which will be unattended must be extinguished.
- No cooking fire is to be left unattended, ever.
- The public must be kept away from cooking fires.
- Loose straw is to be kept at lest 12 feet from cooking fires.
- Intact bails of straw are not allowed in the encampment (the square bail is modern) and must never be used for seating or come within 12 feet of any cooking fire.
- Cooking fires are not to be “Stacked” or “Banked” overnight and must be completely extinguished.
- Do not dig Fire Pits (all areas of the park are archeologically sensitive). Cooking fires will only be constructed on the sheet metal fire plates that are provided.
- Every cooking fire must have an adult in charge of it. The adult in charge will never leave the immediate fire area without an appropriate adult replacement and will ensure:
- All of the above conditions are met.
- Any Children in the area are actively policed away from the cooking fire.
- That an appropriate alarm and reaction is initiated for any hazardous fire situation.
Please, Always Think Safety – For Yourself, Your Fellow Re-enactors, The Public and Children
