BR16155 British 43rd Regiment of Foot, Make Ready, 1780

According to The Manual Exercise, As Ordered by His Majesty, in 1764 by Hugh Gaine, 1775, the British manual of arms had no command to “aim,” instead the order was to “level muskets” before firing. But the belief that the English army just pointed their weapons down range and pulled the trigger was a fallacy. The actual command of “Present” called to “…raise up the Butt…to the right Cheek and [with] the left Eye shut, and look along the Barrel with the right Eye from the Breech Pin to the Muzzle.” The Regiments were practiced frequently, firing six rounds per man. Of course, this did not make every soldier a marksman and the pressure and confusion of battle led to hurried target acquisition, but the importance of aiming was recognized and taught in Britain’s professional army.

Scale 1/30.