Early muskets were large and too heavy to support without assistance. Soldiers used crutch-like musket rests to support the gun's weight.
A "u" shaped musket fork (like the one pictured) made of iron was mounted onto a tall wooden pole, which was set into the ground.
17th cent. Musketeer
Reloading took a long time, involving some 48 distinct movements. Elaborate methods were designed to provide a continuous stream of fire. Troops were deployed in formations of 6 or more ranks to deliver their shots one rank at a time. After one rank of shooters fired a newly reloaded rank would move in front of the them (fire by introduction) or the recent shooters would move to the rear and reload (fire by extroduction), exposing a loaded rank.
A "u" shaped musket fork (like the one pictured) made of iron was mounted onto a tall wooden pole, which was set into the ground.
17th cent. Musketeer
Reloading took a long time, involving some 48 distinct movements. Elaborate methods were designed to provide a continuous stream of fire. Troops were deployed in formations of 6 or more ranks to deliver their shots one rank at a time. After one rank of shooters fired a newly reloaded rank would move in front of the them (fire by introduction) or the recent shooters would move to the rear and reload (fire by extroduction), exposing a loaded rank.
