The Riflemans Manual

By Thomas Graham
A Book on the Tactics of a Rifleman
Chapter One
The Rifle
The rifle is what makes a rifleman. It is an accurate weapon that has a rifled or grooved barrel
that allows for the bullet to be fired at extreme ranges compared to the smooth bore muskets that the
line infantry use!. The rifle uses a smaller bullet due to the grooves on the barrel" allowing it to be fired
at a higher velocity. The rifle does however take longer to reload versus your standard infantry musket.
A rifle can be used as a lethal long range weapon" but it is deadly in hand#to#hand combat with
its bayonet. The British Baker rifle was issued with a $%#inch bayonet allowing for it to be nearly as
long as the British Brown Bess. A key thing to remember is that most riflemen are not intended to &oin
in hand#to#hand combat. 'ost rifle units stay in front of a regular line" scouting and killing off any
enemy officers or non#commissioned officers" hampering the enemy(s ability to lead a functional unit.
It is also important to remember that the rifle itself can be used as a melee or blunt force
weapon. The butt of the rifle works as a good hammer or club type weapon. If swung with enough
force" the rifle can break bones and even crack skulls.
)attern *+,, Infantry -Baker. Rifle
A trained rifleman should be able to fire $#/ rounds per minute. 0ith that rate#of#fire" a trained
rifle unit *,#$, men! should be able to suppress an enemy line of standard si1e *2#$, men! within /#2
minutes. That is why most regiments fear a good rifle detachment3 it means certain death.
The Baker rifle bayonet
Chapter Two