Rifle Drills: Shoulder Arms

The Shoulder from the Order Arms

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.

Shoulder to present Arms

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.

Shoulder to Charge

Command


Action
Shoulder - Arms

(Front rank only)

* 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
Shoulder to Port Arms

Command
Action
Shoulder - Arms
* 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
Shoulder from Advance Arms

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
Shoulder from Support Arms

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
* 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
* Drop the right hand smartly to the side
* At the same time allow the left arm to sink to its full extent
The Shoulder from Slope Arms

Command
Action
Shoulder - Arms
Drop the left arm gently to its full extent
Shoulder From the Secure

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.