S.S.A.A. (QLD.) Inc.
CANNON and COEHORN MORTAR RULE BOOK
2015 Edition
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Aims and Objectives Page 1
2 Firearm Specifications Page 1
3 Ranges Page 2
4 Targets Page 2
5 Ammunition Page 2
6 Safety Page 3
7 Range Commands and Loading Procedures Page 5
8 Misfires Page 6
9 State Championships Page 6
10 Trophies and Prizes for State Competitions Page 6
11 Scoring Information and Procedures Page 7
12 Records Page 7
13 Cannon Competition Rules Page 7
14 Coehorn Mortar Competition Rules Page 8
15 Protest and Appeals Committee Page 9
1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
1.1 This Discipline covers the safe operation of, and Competition with Black Powder, Smooth Bore Muzzle Loading (BPSBML) Cannon and for (BPSBML) Coehorn Mortars.
2. FIREARM SPECIFICATIONS
2.1 Equipment types: These Rules identify two types of Cannon and one type of mortar.
2.1.1 Demi Canon. Those cannons up to and including 19mm (.75 inch) calibre and which may use a patched ball. 2.1.2 Cannon. Those cannons over 19mm (.75 inch) and are to use a round ball with sufficient windage to roll freely down the bore. 2.1.3 Coehorn Mortar. Cannon with a lower calibre of 25mm (1 inch); internal barrel limit of four calibres with a charge chamber at the base of the barrel; elevation fixed at 45 degrees with range varied by charge weight.
2.2 All Cannons/Mortars to have a minimum total length of 75 centimetres.
2.3 All Cannons must be registered and conform to the specifications laid out in Weapons Categories Regulation 1997.
2.4 Regardless of Class, all Cannons shoot the same Competition – whether they shoot together or separately is the decision of the Match Directors.
2.5 Cast Cannons are to be equipped with a plugged steel liner.
2.6 Sights, if used, are to be typical of the historical period. Gun control and laying instruments typical of the period may also be used.
PAGE 1 3. RANGES
3.1 Competitions may only take place on an approved Cannon Range. 3.2 Matches with either size Cannon and Coehorn Mortar are not to be shot over a distance greater than 200 metres.
4. TARGETS
4.1 Approved targets are to be based on the targets which would have been fired upon by these equipments during an engagement.
4.1.1 A cannon target will be a representation of a fort stencilled on a section of cardboard, corflute, particle board or similar penetrable material 2.4m by 1.2m and engaged at up to 200 metres. A door measuring 450mm high and 300mm wide will be drawn centred on the bottom edge of the target and windows measuring 200mm high and 200mm wide will be drawn and situated with the bottom edge of the window 800mm from the bottom edge of the target and the side edge of the window 300mm in from the edge of the target. 4.1.2 A typical mortar target would be a point target representing a gun emplacement, indicated by a flag bearing stake 1.8 metres high.
5. AMMUNITION
5.1 Projectiles
5.1.1 Only cast malleable or soft frangible balls are permitted for Cannon. 5.1.2 Only plastic or metallic cylinders filled with concrete are permitted for Coehorn Mortar. 5.1.3 No stabilising device is to be attached or incorporated in a Coehorn Mortar projectile
PAGE 2 5.2 Propellant
5.2.1 Only commercially manufactured Black Powder or Pyrodex is permitted. 5.2.2 Demi Cannon charges are to be contained in cartridge paper or aluminium foil 5.2.3 Coehorn Mortar charges are to be loose powder. 5.2.4 Cannons in excess of 19mm (.75 inch) are to use charge containers constructed of a minimum of one ply of aluminium foil, all folds and pleats to face towards the muzzle of the Cannon and the base of the charge is to be marked with an “x”.
6. SAFETY
All Members of the Gun Crew are to observe the following safety Rules :-
6.1 All Members are to wear eye protection.
6.2 Hearing protection is strongly recommended.
6.3 Adequate enclosed footwear is mandatory.
6.4 All Members are to wear protective leather gloves.
6.5 No Member is to move forward of the Cannon muzzle at any time.
6.6 When ramming home the charge/ball the Member will stand to the side of the Cannon using only one hand on the ramming device.
6.7 Gun crews will observe a time delay of one minute between sponging out and reloading. No Cannon is to be reloaded while other Cannons are firing.
6.8 Cannon wheels are to be chocked or otherwise secured to prevent excessive recoil.
6.9 Fuses are to be kept well clear during loading and priming.
PAGE 3 6.10 No loading direct from the powder horn or flask – an intermediate measure is to be used to accomplish this task – larger Cannons are to use pre-made charges. (refer to Rule 5.2)
6.11 Coehorn Mortar firing is to be done by either fuse or percussion cap.
6.12 Coehorn Mortar Crew are to retire behind the line of the rear of the Mortar base, before firing.
6.13 No more than the hand of either of the Gun Crew is to be positioned in front of the Muzzle except for sponging out and ramming, and then only for the minimum amount of time.
6.14 The following safety devices for the Crew are to be present and used:
6.14.1 Leather Gloves 6.14.2 Eye Protection 6.14.3 Hearing Protection 6.14.4 Safety or contoured rammers - which are to have no sharp edges and are to have a contoured swell to throw the hand away from the Muzzle should a premature discharge occur. Grasp is to be in the gloved hand with the thumb pointed forward. A safety rammer can be of bent non sparking material or of a two piece manufacture. The operating portion can then be grasped over the rear of the barrel with the thumb facing to the rear.
6.15 The lanyard is not to be handled until directed by the Range Officer.
PAGE 4 7. RANGE COMMANDS and LOADING PROCEDURES
Range Commands and Loading Procedures to be used are as follows:
7.1 The bore is to be searched with a worm prior to the initial loading and once every three shots thereafter.
7.2 All loading and ramming is to be done from behind the muzzle of the barrel.
7.3 LOAD - The Gun Crew, keeping behind the Muzzle of the Cannon load the powder charge and the ball.
7.3.1 One Member of the Crew is to serve the vent by sealing it with a gloved thumb while any work is being done inside the barrel to prevent any spark remaining in the bore from igniting the loaded charge. 7.3.2 Following the initial shot, the Gunner ramming the charge is to do so in one smooth movement, release the ramrod and remove their hand from in front of the Muzzle for ten (10) seconds before the continuation of the reload.
7.4 AIM - The Number One of the Cannon Crew aims the Cannon at the designated target.
7.5 PRIME - The Number One of the Cannon Crew pushes home the pricker, piercing the charge, and either inserts a fuse or trickles a priming charge down the vent.
7.6 READY - Indicated by the Number One of the Cannon Crew raising the left arm vertically and verbally replying “Ready”.
7.7 FIRE - The Number One of the Cannon Crew fires the Cannon by applying the lit linstock to the primed vent or pulling the lanyard
7.7.1 Cannons are to be fired in succession from either the left or the right using one linstock only. 7.7.2 The lanyard is not to be handled until directed by the Range Officer.
PAGE 5 7.8 CEASE FIRE - Command given by the Range Officer when a breach of safety occurs or the Range Officer considers that there is sufficient reason to order it.
7.8.1 All Cannon Crews are to immediately cease any and all actions and are to retire to a position behind and away from the Cannons until such time further orders are given by the Range Officer.
7.9 SPONGE-OUT – All Cannons, once fired, are to be sponged out using one wet sponge and one dry sponge and the vent is to be dry brushed. One Member of the Crew is to serve the vent by sealing it with a gloved thumb.
8. MISFIRES
8.1 With successive firing, misfires become immediately obvious and the Number One of the Cannon Crew will immediately notify the Range Officer by raising the left arm vertically and reporting verbally “Misfire” and continue to hold up the arm until the report is acknowledged by the Range Officer.
8.2 The misfire is to be rectified under the direction of the Range Officer at the completion of that shot by the entire detail and if two attempts are not successful then the charge is to be flooded and the Cannon is to take no further part in the firing practice.
9. STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
9.1 The programme for the Event is to be established by the Host Branch, in consultation with the Discipline Chairman and published at least two months prior to the Event.
10. TROPHIES AND PRIZES FOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
10.1 Place getters in each Event will receive appropriate S.S.A.A. medals for 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
10.2 Additional trophies/prizes will be the responsibility of the Host Branch.
10.3 Corporate Sponsorship may be sought in accordance with S.S.A.A. policy.
PAGE 6 11. SCORING INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES
11.1 Scoring will be under the control of the designated Chief Scorer.
11.2 Targets will be scored by a minimum of 2 Scorers. Any dispute that cannot be resolved by the Chief Scorer is to be referred to the Disputes Committee.
11.3 As different calibres will be competing in the same competition more than half the ball must break the scoring line to score the higher point.
11.4 Similarly, as lengths of projectiles vary between competitors in the same competition, more than half the projectile must break the scoring line to score the higher point. A competitor must use the same length projectile during competition.
11.5 Tied scores – a count back system will be used starting at the highest scoring ring, then in descending order.
12. RECORDS
12.1 The State Chairman is urged to maintain records of all Registered Cannon Matches so as to establish a database of scores and to determine State Record performances that may be appropriately recognised.
13. CANNON COMPETITION RULES
13.1 A minimum of 2 Competitors are required to conduct a Match in any Class.
13.2 Competition Distances
13.2.1 Demi Cannon target 1 – 50m target 2 – 100m 13.2.2 Open Cannon target 1 – 100m target 2 – 200m
13.3 Targets - as per Section 4 - Targets.
13.4 Gun Crews – Open Cannon - To consist of two people
13.4.1 Number one - position 1 metre to the left of the breech in a position to serve the vent. PAGE 7 13.4.2 Number two - positioned alongside the right hand gun wheel.
13.5 Gun Crews – Demi Cannon – Can consist of one or two person/s
13.5.1 Where one person is the crew they are to serve the vent during swabbing out and loading. Where 2 person crews are used they are bound by para 13.4.
13.6 Firing Position: Gunners are to adopt either a standing or a kneeling position during firing.
13.7 A Championship should consist ideally of five (5) scoring shots at each of two Ranges. The Organising Committee may use its discretionary powers to vary this section to conform to the constraints of time, weather etc.
13.8 Scoring – Hits on the door will score 3points, window 2 points and the wall 1 point.
13.9 A sighting period may be allowed at the discretion of the Organising Committee.
14. COEHORN MORTAR COMPETITION RULES
14.1 A minimum of 2 Competitors are required to conduct a Match
14.2 Competition Distances
14.2.1 Minimum distance to be not less than 80m and a maximum of not more than 180m
14.3 Targets - as per Section 4 - Targets.
14.4 Gun Crew – To consist of one person
14.5 Firing Position: Gunners are to adopt either a standing or a kneeling position during firing.
14.6 A Championship should consist ideally of seven (7) scoring shots with the five (5) closest projectiles measured for scoring purposes. The Organising Committee may use its discretionary powers to vary this section to conform to the constraints of time, weather etc. Page 8 14.7 Scoring
14.7.1 The five (5) closest projectiles of each competitor will be measured from the target post and scored using the following points system 10x points for projectiles within 0 and 1 metre 10 points for projectiles between 1 and 2 metres 8 points for projectiles between 2 and 5 metres 5 points for projectiles between 5 and 10 metres 2 points for projectiles between 10 and 15 metres 0 points for projectiles more than 15 metres from the target post
14.8 A sighting period may be allowed at the discretion of the Organising Committee.
15. PROTESTS AND APPEALS COMMITTEE
The Rules for the Protest and Appeals Committee are common to all SSAA Disciplines and form part of each Discipline’s Rule Book. The Rules are as follows:
15.1 At all registered Championships there shall be a Protest and Appeals Committee (hereinafter called "Appeals Committee") which shall be formed by the National Discipline Chairman or their appointed nominee to hear and decide protests and appeals. 15.2 The Appeals Committee shall consist of a minimum of three people, including the National Discipline Chairman, any one of whom may be a competitor. The National Discipline Chairman or their appointed nominee will chair the Appeals Committee. But in no case shall an appellant or protester be included as a member of the Appeals Committee (not withstanding any Rule or Rules of law to the contrary). In competitions where more than one State is represented a delegate from any of the States represented may be appointed to be a member of the said Committee and such appointments shall be at the discretion of the National Discipline Chairman or their appointed nominee.
Page 9 15.3 A protest may be lodged by any competitor who feels aggrieved by a decision of the Range Officer, the target scorers, or any other organisational matters or methods of conducting the competition. A competitor may protest the conduct of another competitor(s) or that another competitor(s) has not fulfilled their obligations according to these Rules, or has not properly obeyed the Rules. 15.4 The protest must be lodged in writing and accompanied by a fee set by the National Discipline Chairman. If the protest or appeal is upheld, the applicant is to be refunded the amount of the fee. If the protest is disallowed, then the fee shall be forfeited to the organisers conducting the competition. 15.5 The protest is to be lodged with the Range Officer or other persons nominated by the National Discipline Chairman or their appointed nominee to receive appeals. A protest may be lodged during the conduct of a competition or after the competition has been completed but not later than 30 minutes after the scores for that competition have been announced or posted. When received, the protest or appeal must be given to the Chairman of the Appeals Committee as soon as possible. 15.6 The Chairman shall convene the Appeals Committee without undue delay and the Appeals Committee shall be empowered to hear evidence from the protester, the appellant and person(s) involved in the protest; to require the Range Officer, Scorers or organisers to produce targets, score sheets or other material relevant to the protest; to call evidence from any other person(s) who may be able to help the Appeals Committee and to do all such other things that the Appeals Committee believes will enable it to reach an unbiased and just decision. 15.7 Any accused person shall:
15.7.1 have a right to be heard before the Appeals Committee and to remain in attendance during each session of the Appeals Committee. 15.7.2 be advised of the time and place the Appeals Committee shall hear evidence of the protest or appeal. 15.7.3 be entitled to remain in attendance before the Appeals Committee until the Appeals Committee adjourns the proceedings to make its decision.
Page 10 15.7.4 be informed of the evidence or allegations made. 15.7.5 be supplied the details of verbal or written statements made against that person or persons. 15.7.6 be given an opportunity before the Appeals Committee to correct or contradict any accusations or allegations made. 15.8 Immediately the Appeals Committee has made a decision, the Appeals Committee Chairman shall verbally announce it to a gathering of competitors summoned to hear the decision or post the decision on a notice board. The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding on the matter of the protest and on all persons concerned therein.
Note: Desirably the Appeals Committee proceedings and deliberations should be conducted out of the public gaze and free from distractions of the ongoing competition.
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