Chair's Message

Weapons of Choice

As promised, our February speaker, George C. Neumann, the acknowledged reigning expert on the weapons of the Revolution, told us what it was like to fight in an 18th Century battle. he gave Round Tablers an incredibly vivid description of what it took to fire a musket or rifle, with the black powder fouling the barrel, the gun overheating, and the shapes of the advancing enemy emerging from the gunsmoke.

Mr. Neumann emphasized how Americans adapted their tactics to the weapons at hand. He gave us a rundown on swords, from southern Europe where they were rapiers, to the north where they were hacking instruments. He discussed pistols, with their average range of 20 yards. he told of several friends firing pistols at a sheet. Not one made a hit at 30 yards.

Mr. Neumann finished by urging everyone to get ready for the 225th anniversary of the Revolution, which is only two years away.

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Dave Jacobs