These are meant to be GAF classes at a GAF only match, like a regional or National Muster. GAF classes are Rifle based, not handgun as per SASS and NCOWs. Note that handguns will not be cycled with the off hand. Exemptions may be granted on a case by case basis, but unless such an exemption has been granted, cycling the handgun with the off hand will result in a Points penalty for anacronistic practice.
Repeating weapons in Milspec classes are limited to an initial load of no more than 5 rounds. Reloads are unlimited. Scout classes have no magazine limitations. All weapons start with empty chambers.
As a technical limitation, no loading aids (Stripper Clips, moon clips, etc.) shall be used. *EXEMPTION* Due to safety considerations inherient in the design, those wishing to use a C96 Mauser (Broomhandle) are allowed the use of a single stripper clip to use as they see fit.
Spencer shooters may use a Blakeslee if desired. The GAF considers the Blakeslee a mode of conveyance, not a loading aid.
Much of this is based on the concepts as put forth in the "Battle Rifle" standards. THese are all 2 gun (rifle and pistol) unless specificaly stated. Please review the "Battle Rifle" entry. (See below)
Handguns shall be Milspec, or of demonstrated military usage, related in period to the rifle used. "Period" shall be defined as related to the adoption date of the rifle. "Scout" classes are restricted to Single Action Revolvers.
Those wishing to use C&Bs may use more than one revolver/cylinder, but will have to cap on the clock in liu of reloading.
All Calibers in the Milspec class will be milspec, with case by case exemptions granted. (Example: a properly outfitted Winchester 95 carbine in .30-06 may be accepted in liu of the Milspec .30 US caliber)
All calibers will be loaded to CAS spec. Rifle calibers will be all lead, no more than 405 grains lead at no more than 1400 FPS. Calibers greater than .501 may use up to a 480 grain bullet. Gas checks may be used at the Match directors discretion on rifle calibers of .32 or less. (Call Ahead!) Hangun calibers all lead at no more than 1000 fps. Further requirements for minimum pistol loadings are under discussion and may be implimented should need be.
Handgun Calibers in "Scout" classes ( Scout, Buffalo Scout and Forager Scout) will have a minmum bore diameter of .357. All Non Milspec handguns shall have a minimum bore diameter of .357.
For purposes here, Spencers are considered "Repeaters," not lever actions. Winchester 95s are also considered "Repeaters". "Lever actions" utilize underbarrel magazines.
1-Milspec Repeating Rifle, smokeless powder.
2-Milspec Repeating Rifle, Black Powder.
(combine if numbers warrent)
3-Milspec Single Shot, Smokeless Powder.
4-Milspec Single Shot, Black Powder.
(Combine if Numbers warrent)
5-Militia-Lever action and/or civilian spec repeaters, rifle calibers.
6-Scout- Lever action, pistol calibers, single action revolvers.
7-Staff Officer- Handgun only, Milspec or of documented Military use in the Victorian era. No loading aids. The Staff Officer shall engage all targets, rifle and handgun, with his weapon. (the "Little" rule)
8-Infantry-Milspec rifle only. Shall engage only designated rifle targets.
9-Buffalo Scout- Single shot hunting rifles (no ejectors), single action revolver.
10-Forager Scout- Single shot (ejectors allowed) double barrel (No ejectors) or lever action shotgun, single action revolver. (Bummer class!) Target engagement as per the Match Director, reccomended to engage per rifle sequence on handgun targets.
For those wanting a Spencer class, If you think about it, BP repeater will most likely be just that.
Note we often refer to hanguns, not single action revolvers. It means just that. That they should be related in PERIOD to the rifle used in the Milspec classes gives a great deal of flexibility. MILSPEC classes will be shot in accordance with Battle Rifle Standards
Classes may be combined at the Match directors discretion should numbers warrent. Any class may be devided by powder type/action/gender should numbers warrent
You may PM me with any questions. Drydock
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Milspec/Battle Rifle Standards.
I would like to point out that this is NOT always a class in and of itself, but a set of standards for the use of these type weapons in a GAF match, outside of the usual Cowboy style classes. This may be broken up by action or powder type at the descretion of the Match director. Or it could be run as a single class if numbers so warrent.
-Milspec weapons of the late Victorian era, 1865-1901
-RIfles will be MAIN BATTLE RIFLES and CARBINES, utilizing CAS spec ammunition. Lead bullets of weight no more than 405 grains, velocity less than 1400 FPS. Calilbers greater than .501 may use up to a 480 grain bullet. Rifle calibers of .32 or less may use gas checks at the match directors discretion. (Call ahead!) Examples would be, but not limited to: Krags, Spencers, Trapdoors, Sniders, Enfields, early Mausers. Handguns would be milspec, or of demonstrated military use, related in period to the rifle used. The rifle is the determing factor here.
-NOTE- Handguns are related IN PERIOD to the rifle used. It is understood that some handgun/rifle combinations may be difficult to impossible to achieve. Reasonable substitutions are allowed. Officers of the period often purchased their own sidearms. (Notice I say "Handguns"? Thats right. Broomhandle fanatics rejoice! For you DA revolver types, no loading aids of any type.) When in doubt, a single action revolver will most always be acceptable.
-Rifles/carbines must be in a military configuration, military caliber. Example: the 1895 Winchester is allowed, if in military configuration, chambered in .30 US (.30-40 Krag) Lever action rifles with tubular underbarrel magazines are specificaly not allowed. There will be other classes for them.
(reasonable caliber subsitiution may be allowed on a case by case basis.)
-Dress must Attempt to be military, matching the weapon used. Don't show up dressed for the Rough Riders carrying a Mauser. Full or partial uniforms are fine, Scouts, field expediencey, irregulars and "Hollywood" are recognized. (caveat: you want to be an irregular, you better have some provenance that shows you to be a fair representation.) Ladies may adhere to the above, or perhaps better to dress appropriate to the period, with some military "accessories". Perhaps a Kepi, corded Slouch, or officers sash. For ladies wishing to really go all out, I would suggest watching John Fords "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon".
-Era single shots, ie trapdoors, Martini Henrys, Rolling blocks, are encouraged, loaded to spec. Course of fire may be different from that of the repeaters at the match directors discretion.
-As a technical limitation, No stripper clips/loading aids allowed. All repeating weapons(rifles AND handguns) will start with no more than 5 rounds. Reloads have no limit. All reloads will be of loose ammo, from appropriate belts/pouchs/pockets, no aids of any kind. Loading aids may be used to charge the weapon prior to stage start, but none will be used in the stage itself. *EXEMPTION* Due to safety considerations inherient in the design, C96 Mausers are allowed a single stripper clip. Spencer shooters may use a Blakeslee if they so desire, as the GAF considers the Blakeslee a mode of conveyance, not a speed loader.
-Modifications allowed: None. Springs may be replaced/lightened, existing parts polished to improve trigger pull, thats it. Parts may be replaced only to repair/return to Milspec.
-Don't come to me about the Turks using 1866s at Plevna. Or the Henrys of the 1st DC. There are plenty of other venues for those. SASS, NCOWs, etc. This is for Main Battle rifles. Henrys and 66s were the submachine guns of their era. In the GAF classification system Lever action pistol caliber rifles are hereby restricted to Scout Class. This does not mean you are a Scout. It is simply the name of the class.
EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE RIFLES.
Not final, research ongoing. South American variations on the Comblain are endless! Where not mentioned, it is expected that these will be in military configuration. Please submit weapon suggestions by PM for evaluation. If it was accepted for military service prior to 1902 I'd like to know about it. Weapons must use a self contained cartridge with integral primer. IE no muzzleloaders, or breechloaders requiring a seperate percussion cap.
Milspec replicas, such as the various Trapdoor Springfield replicas from H&R and Pedersoli, are recognized.
CARCANO 1891
COMBLAIN-VARIOUS FROM 1870
ENFIELD .303 MAGAZINE LEE-ENFIELD (First, "Long" model. NOT the SMLE)
ENFIELD .303 MAGAZINE LEE-METFORD MARK 1
ENFIELD .303 MAGAZINE LEE-METFORD MARK 1*
ENFIELD .303 MAGAZINE LEE-METFORD MARK 2
ENFIELD .303 MAGAZINE LEE-METFORD MARK 2*
ENFIELD .450 MARTINI-HENRY
ENFIELD .577 SNIDER-ENFIELD RIFLE/CARBINE
FRENCH MILITARY MODEL 1886 LEBEL
FRENCH MILITARY "BERTHIER" CARBINE, early 3 round magazine models
FRENCH "CHASSPOTT"
GRAS MODEL 1874 INFANTRY RIFLE AND CARBINE
SWISS VETTERLI M1867-71 M1878, M1881
ITALIAN VETTERLI M1870, M1870/78
DREYSE "NEEDLE GUN"
MAUSER MODEL 1871 SHORT RIFLE
MAUSER 71
MAUSER 78/80
MAUSER 84
MAUSER 85
MAUSER 86
MAUSER 87
MAUSER 88
MAUSER 89
MAUSER 90
MAUSER 91
MAUSER 92
MAUSER 93
MAUSER 94
MAUSER 95
MAUSER 96
MANNLICHER M1886 "Straight Pull"
MANNLICHER M1888 "Commission"
STEYR M1895
MOISEN-NAGANT M1891
RUSSIAN BERDAN SINGLE SHOT 1ST AND 2ND MODEL.
PEABODY 1871
REMINGTON U.S. NAVY M1867 ROLLING BLOCK CARBINE
REMINGTON REMINGTON KEENE MAGAZINE BOLT RIFLE
REMINGTON REMINGTON LEE MAGAZINE BOLT RIFLE
REMINGTON U.S. NAVY "ANNAPOLIS CADET" MILITARY RIFLE
REMINGTON U.S. ARMY MODEL 1870 "EXPERIMENTAL" CARBINE
REMINGTON U.S. ARMY MODEL 1870 "EXPERIMENTAL" MILITARY RIFLE
REMINGTON U.S. NAVY MODEL 1870 (TYPES 1 & 2) MILITARY RIFLE
REMINGTON U.S. ARMY MODEL 1871 MILITARY RIFLE
REMINGTON ANY ROLLING BLOCK IN MILSPEC CONFIGURATION
SCHMIDT-RUBIN M1889, M1896, M1897, M1900
SHARPS .50/70 CARBINES
SHARPS .50/70 RIFLES
SHARPS SPRINGFIELD/SHARPS MODEL 1870-1871
SHARPS MODEL 1874
SHARPS MODEL 1878 SHARPS-BORCHARDT
SNIDER Various INFANTRY RIFLE/CARBINE
SPENCER MODEL 1860 ARMY RIFLES
SPENCER MODEL 1860 CARBINES
SPENCER MODEL 1860 NAVY RIFLES
SPENCER MODEL 1865 ARMY RIFLES
SPENCER MODEL 1865 CARBINES
SPENCER MODEL 1867 ARMY RIFLES AND CARBINES
SPENCER NEW MODEL ARMY RIFLES AND CARBINES
SPENCER SMALL-FRAME MILITARY CARBINES
SPENCER SPRINGFIELD ARMORY RIFLE MUSKET CONVERSION OF SPENCER CARBINES
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1870 ROLLING-BLOCK RIFLE, U.S.N.
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1871 ROLLING-BLOCK RIFLE, U.S.A.
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODELS 1866, 1868 RIFLES
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1870 RIFLE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1873 CADET RIFLE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1873 CARBINE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1873 RIFLE "TRAPDOOR"
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1875 OFFICER?S RIFLE FIRST TYPE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1877 CADET RIFLE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1877 CARBINE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1877 RIFLE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1879 CADET RIFLE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1879 CARBINE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1879 RIFLE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1880
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1884 RIFLE "TRAPDOOR"
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1888 RIFLE "TRAPDOOR"
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) ARSENAL-ALTERED TO M1896 STYLE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1892-DATED 1894
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1895 CARBINE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1896
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1896 CADET RIFLE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1896 CARBINE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1898 CARBINE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1898 NRA CARBINE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1898 RIFLE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1899 CARBINE
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1899 PHILIPPINE CONSTABULARY CARBINE
DANISH KRAG M1889
NORWIEGIAN KRAG M1894, 95, 97
WINCHESTER HOTCHKISS RIFLE
WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 NRA MUSKET
WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 RUSSIAN MUSKET
WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 CARBINE
WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 FLATSIDE MUSKET
WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 MUSKET
WINCHESTER MODEL 1883 (HOTCHKISS REPEATER)
WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 LEE STRAIGHT PULL RIFLE
The above lists most of the major issue small arms of the period. For those of you determined to field the rare and exotic, you can find just about everything here: http://www.militaryrifles.com/MAINIndx.htm Please remember that lever action rifles with tubular underbarrel magazines are NOT allowed in this concept. There are other venues for those. IE once again, I know the Turks used 1866s at Plevna, don't care, not allowed.
Why no Mauser 98? True statement "The Mauser 98 is the definitive bolt action of the 20th century." Nuff said.
The Lee Enfield is NOT the SMLE, but the first, longer version. The SMLE was developed in response to the Boer war, and fielded after 1903.
Upon request, I'm compiling a list of acceptable sidearms. We'll start with US sidearms, and add more as I research. Please PM me with any suggestions, all are welcome. Experimental issues may be covered in another entry.
United States:
-1865- Colt M1860 (Army) Colt 1851 (Navy)
-1870- S&W #3 .44 American, 1000 issued
-1871- Colt M1871 (Richards Conversion).44 Colt. 1200 Issued. Navy began issue of .38 SC conversions of the 1851.
-1873- Colt M1873 Single Action Army .45
-1875- S&W #3 "Schofield" M1875, .45 S&W
-1889- Navy issues Colt M1889 DA revolver .38 LC (.41 frame)
-1892- Colt M1892,4,5,6,01,03 DA revolver .38 LC (41 Frame)
-1895- Reissue of modified Colt M1873 with 5.5" barrel.
-1899- S&W M1899 M&P, 3000 issued for use in Phillipines. .38 LC (K frame, round butt)
Those wishing to use the later model Colt .41 frame models (Army Special/Official Police) may do so if in the following configuration: 6" unshrounded light barrel, fixed sights, blued, Square butt. "Officers" models may be allowed if proper to the portrayal.
Later S&W K frames may also be used if having a 6" unshrouded light barrel, blued, fixed sights, ROUND butt. NO "Officers" models allowed. S&W did not offer such a model in this era.
Many found here:
http://coolgunsite.com/pistols/usarevpage.htmBritish Empire:
-1856- Beaumont-Adams DA revolver
-1880- Enfield MK I, MK-II,.476 Enfield
-1887- Webley MK-I. II, III, IV. .455
France:
-1873- St Eteinne 11MM
-1892- Lebel M1892. 8MM
Germany:
-1879- M1879-1883 Reichsrevolver 10.6MM
Russia:
-1870- S&W #3 .44 Russian
-1895- Nagant m1895 7.62 Nagant
Spain:
-1856- Adams 10.5MM
-1858/63- Lefaucheax 11MM
-1874-S&W #3 11MM
-1884- S&W#3 System ONA 11MM
-1887- Merwin Hulbert 11MM
Canada:
-1855- Colt 1851 .36
-1885- Colt 1878 .45 Colt
-1899/1900- Colt New Service .45 Colt
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