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65th (2nd Yorkshire North Riding) Regiment of Foot

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Rifle Drill - The Shoulder Arms

Here are the commands that bring a man to the Shoulder Arms from:

 

The Shoulder from the Order

 

Shoulder from the Order

Next Review Exercise command
[
The Present ]

Description

Command

 

Action

Shoulder -

1.

  • By a sharp turn of the wrist, bring the thumb of the right hand round the rear of the barrel and grasp the rifle, thumb between the stock and the thigh
Arms

1.

  • Give the rifle a cant upwards with the right hand and seize it below the lower band, keeping the barrel close to the shoulder.
 

2.

  • Bring the rifle with the right hand to the left side
  • Seize rifle with the left hand, grasping the inside of the butt with the first two joints of the fingers; the forefinger half an inch from, the thumb in front of, the heel, the wrist slightly turned out, the fingers to rest lightly against the thigh. The rifle to rest against the hollow of the left shoulder, the fore part of the butt nearly even with the front of the thigh.
  • As the left hand seizes the rifle, drop the right to the side.

Next possible command - [ Present Arms | The Port | The Advance | The Support | The Slope | The Order ]

 

The Shoulder from the Present Arms

 

Shoulder-Arms

Next Review Exercise command
[
The Port ]

Description

Command

 

Action

Shoulder - Arms

1.

  • By a turn of the right wrist, bring the rifle to the left side and seize it with the left hand, grasping the inside of the butt with the first two joints of the fingers; the forefinger half an inch from, the thumb in front of, the heel, the wrist slightly turned out, the fingers to rest lightly against the thigh. The rifle to rest against the hollow of the left shoulder, the fore part of the butt nearly even with the front of the thigh.
  • Fingers of the right hand to remain under the hammer (first two joints round the stock), thumb between the stock and the barrel, arm close to the body
  • At the same time bring the right foot to its original position
 

2.

  • Drop the right hand to the side.

Next possible command - [ Present Arms | The Port | The Advance | The Support | The Slope | The Order ]

 

The Shoulder Arms from the Charge

 

Shoulder from the Charge


Next Review Exercise command
[
The Advance ]

Description

Command

 

Action

Shoulder - Arms

(Front rank only)

1.

  • Bring the rifle to the left side
  • Seize rifle with the left hand, grasping the inside of the butt with the first two joints of the fingers; the forefinger half an inch from, the thumb in front of, the heel, the wrist slightly turned out, the fingers to rest lightly against the thigh. The rifle to rest against the hollow of the left shoulder, the fore part of the butt nearly even with the front of the thigh.
  • Fingers of the right hand to remain under the hammer (first two joints round the stock), thumb between the stock and the barrel, arm close to the body
 

2.

  • Drop right hand to the side

Next possible command - [ Present Arms | The Port | The Advance | The Support | The Slope | The Order ]

NOTE: There appears to be no command of The Charge from the Shoulder. When marching in quick time at the Slope there is a command to Charge.

 

The Shoulder Arms from the Port

Shoulder-Arms

Description

Command

 

Action

Shoulder - Arms

1.

  • Bring the rifle with the right hand to the left side
  • Seize rifle with the left hand, grasping the inside of the butt with the first two joints of the fingers; the forefinger half an inch from, the thumb in front of, the heel, the wrist slightly turned out, the fingers to rest lightly against the thigh. The rifle to rest against the hollow of the left shoulder, the fore part of the butt nearly even with the front of the thigh.
  • Fingers of the right hand to remain under the hammer (first two joints round the stock), thumb between the stock and the barrel, arm close to the body
 

2.

  • Drop right hand to the side

Next possible command - [ Present Arms | The Port | The Advance | The Support | The Slope | The Order ]

 

 

The Shoulder from the Advance Arms

 

The Shoulder from the Advance

Next Review Exercise command
[
The Support ]

Description

Command

 

Action

Shoulder - Arms

1.

  • Seize the rifle with the left hand, little finger in line with the right elbow and raise it about one inch, without moving the barrel from the shoulder
  • At the same time slip the thumb of the right hand under the hammer, bringing the fingers under the guard, both arms close to the body
 

2.

  • By a turn of the right wrist, bring the rifle with the right hand to the left side
  • Seize rifle with the left hand, grasping the inside of the butt with the first two joints of the fingers; the forefinger half an inch from, the thumb in front of, the heel, the wrist slightly turned out, the fingers to rest lightly against the thigh. The rifle to rest against the hollow of the left shoulder, the fore part of the butt nearly even with the front of the thigh.
  • Fingers of the right hand to remain under the hammer (first two joints round the stock), thumb between the stock and the barrel, arm close to the body
 

3.

  • Drop right hand to the side

Next possible command - [ Present Arms | The Port | The Advance | The Support | The Slope | The Order ]

 

The Shoulder from the Support

 

Shoulder-Arms

Next Review Exercise command
[
The Slope ]

Description

Command

 

Action

Shoulder - Arms

1.

  • Seize the small of the butt with the right hand, fingers and thumb round the stock, arm close to the body
 

2.

  • Drop the left hand and grasp the inside of the butt with the first two joints of the fingers; the forefinger half an inch from, the thumb in front of, the heel, the wrist slightly turned out, the fingers to rest lightly against the thigh, with the elbow slightly bent.
 

3.

  • Drop the right hand smartly to the side
  • At the same time allow the left arm to sink to its full extent

Next possible command - [ Present Arms | The Port | The Advance | The Support | The Slope | The Order ]

 

The Shoulder from the Slope

 

Shoulder-Arms

Next Review Exercise command
[
The Order ]

Description

Command

 

Action

Shoulder - Arms

1.

Drop the left arm gently to its full extent

Next possible command - [ Present Arms | The Port | The Advance | The Support | The Slope | The Order ]

 

The Shoulder from the Secure

  Next Review Exercise command
[
The Order ]

Description

Command

 

Action

Shoulder-Arms 1
  • Bring the rifle to the perpendicular.
  • and seize the rifle with the right hand under the guard.
  2
  • Without moving the rifle from the shoulder, turn it, with the right hand, so as to bring the barrel to the front.
  • Drop the left hand and grasp the inside of the butt with the first two joints of the fingers; the forefinger half an inch from, the thumb in front of, the heel, the wrist slightly turned out, the fingers to rest lightly against the thigh, with the elbow slightly bent.
  3
  • Drop the right hand to the side.

Next possible command - [ Present Arms | The Port | The Advance | The Support | The Slope | The Order | The Secure ]

 

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Updated 20 July, 1999