Hello,

Here one of my next painted busts. It is the Coldtream Guard (scale 1/9 by CGS miniatures).

Mobo

Beautiful work, Mobo. Every tiny detail picked out with precision.

Thanks again Chris

Mobo

Another one of my favourites....lovely job... . Mike

Thanks again Mike

Mobo

Thanks again Nap

Mobo

Beautifully painted. Unlikely to be loading with the bayonet fixed. Typically the front rank would kneel with the musket butts held firmly on the ground presenting a hedge of bayonets whilst the 2nd and 3rd ranks fired over their heads without bayonets fixed.

Mike

Thanks Mike you are right (little mistake)

Mobo

Lovely painting Mobo.

Hi Mike
I cant find anything that says bayonets were not fixed in the firing line. I have looked at the 1816 manual and the 1764 manual.

Nice work

Thanks Bob and Wally

Mobo

Very nice Mobo. Lovely reds and like the wear and tear on the leatherwork.

Neal

I think it was a matter of practice in the field, after lockdown I will try to find the appropriate reference - bayonets in the second and third ranks might have injured those in front and loading a musket with a bayonet fixed risks injury as well. However once fixed I suspect they would have stayed fixed until after the engagement.

Mike

Thank again Neal

Mobo

Sorry Mike, I just re read my question.
When bayonets were fixed, it was as a whole company or platoon, they would have loaded with bayonets fixed. firing was done in two lines. when the lines were given the order to fire on the word ready, the rear rank move their right leg and step across. I do not think safety came into it. Normally after a volley ( unless in defence) the order to charge would be given, this is done with bayonets fixed. I hope this makes sense. In the charge the rear rank are at arms port and if a man fell in front of them they would move forward or the line would dress left or right to fill the gap.
stay safe and warm regards

Firstly, with regard to Mobo's figure, congratulations on a very nice paint job sir. If I can throw my two pen'orth in, from a re-enactors point of view..... We try and follow the original drill manuals as closely as possible. I believe that 3 ranks were the norm at one stage but practicalities meant that over the course of time it eventually evolved into two ranks, front and rear, both standing. Kneeling tended to be mainly done by the light companies when acting as skirmishers OR by the front rank having formed square to receive cavalry. Bayonets would be fixed and presented by both ranks to form the steel hedge, as per photo. Firing in two ranks can be done with fixed bayonets and it is only marginally more cumbersome than without. As Viking Bob correctly states, the rear rank steps across and present their musket over the shoulder of their file colleague in front. The only issue with the sculpt/pose, is the ramrod. If he were acting as an individual, then MAYBE he would have the ramrod as per pose, however, if within the tightly packed, shoulder to shoulder, rank and file of a company/platoon, then the ramrod would be placed back in its retaining position, on the musket, after each round had been rammed home. This would be done automatically, as part of the 'prime and load' sequence which would been practised time and time again.

Thanks Hembo

Mobo

Thank you Hembo, I would assume the sculpt is fighting alone at or on the wall of a farm house..