Though I've pretty much settled on this, tweaking is ongoing, and all suggestions are welcome. I would like to point out that this is NOT 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. 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 combonations 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 be warned: NO stripper clips. You ain't outrunnin' anybody. For you DA revolver types, no loading aids of any type.)
-Lever action pistol caliber rifles are specificly excluded. Lever action rifles with tubular underbarrel magazines are not allowed. 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)
(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, and irregulars 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, probably only required to engage half the rifle targets of the repeaters. This will be worked out/adjusted as needed, as per NASCAR.
-As a technical limitation, No stripper clips 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.
-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. Know it, don't care, plenty other venues for those. This is for Main Battle rifles. Henrys and 66s were the submachine guns of their era.
This is still in its formative stage. I have shot the 2006 Muster using an M1898 Krag Carbine, and an M1873 Trapdoor carbine. If interested, Please e-mail or PM me with any suggestions. Or leave them right here.