Artillery Etiquette in 1904

Being armed was a necessity for many at the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries. Women, and personal protection for them, were the subjects of numerous advertising campaigns, especially in areas where one’s safety was in question. Above is one such advertisement by Smith and Wesson.

GUN ETIQUETTE IN COLORADO

Curator of State Museum Gives His Opinion of the Matter

After twenty-five years of residence In Colorado, State Curator W. C. Ferril is raising a nice point in what he calls “artillery” etiquette. Mr. Ferril regards himself as no tenderfoot, and says that since Friday night the only reason he has not at least one dead man to his credit is that he was not armed.

It appears that on Friday night between 10 and 11 o'clock, Mr. Ferril was wending his way toward his home on Downing avenue. He had occasion to cross a vacant lot between Eighteenth and Nineteenth avenues, near Washington, and on stepping out upon Nineteenth avenue he discovered that he had in the darkness come up immediately behind a man and a woman who were standing on the corner. Mr. Ferril's movements had perhaps been more than ordinarily quiet, and the couple took immediate alarm. At least the man threw one hand to his hip pocket in what Mr. Ferril terms a well-defined “gun play.”

Noticing the action on the part of the man, Ferril, who was only about ten feet away, threw up his hands. “My hands are up,” he shouted. “Don't come up behind me with your hands in your pocket,” said the unknown, with his hand still at his hip pocket, although he drew no gun. “I don't know what to make of the occurrence,” said Mr. Ferril in discussing the matter yesterday. “I don't know whether the fellow had a gun or not. We were still standing there, my hands in the air and he with one hand at his hip, when another couple came along and asked which way to reach the Brown Hotel. I answered them and by that time my unknown friend and his companion had left the scene.

“It was the most absurd thing that ever happened to me since I came to Colorado, particularly as I don't believe the fellow had a gun on his person. He undoubtedly made a gun play, however, and if I had been properly armed I would no doubt have taken a shot at him. By properly armed I mean with a gun in my coat pocket, where such a weapon ought to be carried. Nobody should carry a gun, if he expects to use it, in his hip pocket.

“The proposition resolves itself down to this point, as I understand artillery etiquette,” concluded Mr. Ferril. “When I saw his movement and threw up my hands that was immediate recognition of his ‘drop’ on me if he had one. If he had a drop on me and intended me any harm, it was up to him to proceed with his plans whatever they were. But when he failed to take his hand away from his pocket - then it was my turn to act. If I had had a gun I would undoubtedly have drawn upon him and fired. That, I take it, would be my privileges while he maintained a threatening attitude.” -Denver Republican, 1904

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Mark Twain’s Tale of Camp Etiquette

The bully in the saloon had his choice between beans or death, and he knew it. - Public domain image of  Mark Twain

Beans in Camp: Mark Twain Tells of an Example of Strict Etiquette and Fair Play

There was a strict camp etiquette, which was recognized and considered law by all, and it was of this etiquette that Mark Twain told me an example.

    A Boston man was eating breakfast early one morning, at a table near the open door and the half bar, half restaurant of the place. He was just finishing his plate of pork and beans when two Missouri men passed along and saw the Boston man and his breakfast. They stopped within a foot or two. “Look at that,” said the bigger of the Missouri men, contemptuously. “Do you see what that blankety-blankety-blank Boston thing is eating? Why, down in Missouri where I come from we feed them things to our horses. Only the brutes eat that grub down there.”

Presently the bully stepped inside and sat down opposite the Boston man at the same table. When the plate of beans had been eaten the Boston man called out to the bartender: “Pete, give me another plateful. Pile it up. I like ‘em.” When the heaped-up plate came, the Boston man, quick as a flash, had pulled out his revolver, had the Missouri man covered with it, and then, pushing the full plateful of beans across the table, told the Missouri man to “eat it and like it,” or he'd shoot him, like the dog that he was.

The bully had his choice between beans or death, and he knew it. When he had eaten every bean, he was made to say that he liked beans, and then, and not till then, did the Boston man put his pistol up, pay for both orders of beans and leave the saloon.

“Now,” said Mark, “the reason the Missouri man didn’t whip out his gun and shoot as soon as the bean-eater’s back was turned, was because of camp etiquette. Each man had his fun with the other, and they were even. If the Boston man had been shot, the Missouri man, as quick as news could fly, would have had his body filled with lead from the revolver of every man in camp, regardless of party. You see, we were quite sticklers for fair play in those days.” – New York Journal, 1896

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Shooting Party Etiquette

All up-to-date hunters now carry into the woods either a phonograph or a Pianola. 

For calling a moose, the old-fashioned birchbark trumpet is almost obsolete. All up-to-date hunters now carry into the woods either a phonograph or a Pianola. Any able-bodied "critter" will readily respond to this "call of the wild."

When going on a hunting trip, always take along a bunch of hounds and a deck of playing cards. With one pack or the other, you ought to get game.

Never get nervous about noises at night. Half the time it's only the peeling of a tree, whose bark is worse than its bite.— From "EEDIOTIC ETIQUETTE," 1906, by Gideon Wurdz

This case raised several nice points of shooting etiquette. The circumstances of the accident were not disputed.

Shot Too Heavy, So He Gets $6000

Sportsman Wounded by Companion Is Awarded Decision on French Technicality

On the opening day of the shooting season, a year ago, M. Pradeau inadvertently potted the neighboring gun, M. Masson, in the leg. The latter, as soon as he could hobble into the law courts, sued the inexpert sportsman for $20,000 damages. The case raised several nice points of shooting etiquette. The circumstances of the accident were not disputed.

They were there: M. Masson possessed a dog. M. Pradeau, who was a visitor in the district, did not. So when M. Masson's dog pointed, his polite owner signaled to M. Pradeau to come nearer to have a better shot. M. Pradeau did so but with such precipitation that he forgot to keep the muzzle of his gun pointed to the ground. The gun was discharged, and the full shot entered M. Masson's leg.

M. Pradeau's counsel pleaded divided responsibility. If M. Masson had not called upon M. Pradeau to come nearer, the accident, he urged, would never have happened. Not so, argued M. Signorino, counsel for the claimant, and himself an ardent sportsman. It was not the proximity of the shooters, but the position of the gun, that caused the accident.

Further, the charge which entered the leg of the unfortunate M. Masson was of a caliber much heavier than ordinarily employed by experts shot at the opening of shooting season. Impressed by the technical knowledge displayed by M. Signorino, the tribunal awarded $6,000 to his injured client. —Special Cable to the Call, Paris, 1913

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Gun Range Etiquette

Practicing good gun range etiquette isn’t just good manners—it’s good sense! Gun range etiquette is a blend of common sense, courtesy and safety. A day at the range is fun, and good gun range etiquette makes it even better. 

Women with Rifles, circa 1889, from the Wisconsin Historical Society

What you need to know before you hit the range:

Most clubs and ranges require shooters to attend a safety class prior to using the range. This certifies that you’ve read and understand the NRA Basic Rules of Gun Safety and the specific rules that apply at the range you’re using. Remember that there may be other gun safety rules that are enforced on your range, but these three rules are ALWAYS appropriate, no matter where you are:

1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

Most ranges have Range Safety Officers (RSOs, also known as Range Masters) whose job is to supervise shooters, to enforce the rules and regulations of their ranges, and to handle any problems that may occur. Pay attention to the RSOs, who will tell you what to do in case of an emergency. Remember that the Range Safety Officer has absolute authority on the range. Compliance with his or her instructions is mandatory.

When you arrive at a range, introduce yourself to the RSO and let him/her know if this is your first visit to the range. The RSO will tell you what you need to know before you set up your gear.

Know the basic range commands, and learn other commands that are used at your range. If you don’t understand what they mean, ask the Range Safety Officer. He or she will be happy to explain it to you. Remember that asking questions is a sign of intelligence and maturity.

Two of the most common range commands are Ceasefire and Commence Firing, although sometimes it is said differently. Instead of “ceasefire,” some ranges are using the words, “Stop shooting!” and instead of “Commence Firing,” some are using the phrase, “You may begin shooting.” This is because we want our instructions to be as clear and as easy to understand as possible.

Ceasefires are used whenever all shooting must stop, whether it is because time’s up or because a potential problem has arisen. Whenever the RSO’s attention must be away from the firing line, he or she will call a ceasefire. Whenever someone needs to go downrange for any reason, a ceasefire is called. Ceasefires are also called when it’s time to post, change or retrieve targets.

However, the RSO is not the only person who can call a ceasefire. Anyone who spots a potential problem should call “Ceasefire!” The RSO will repeat the words and see to it that all firing stops immediately. If you aren’t sure what’s happening, it’s okay to call a ceasefire. It’s better to call a ceasefire and be safe than not to call one and be sorry.

Ceasefires are used in all kinds of situations—not just when it’s time to change, post or retrieve targets. Perhaps a person has inadvertently wandered out onto the firing range, or perhaps a shooter in the point next to you has become ill. It’s your duty to call a ceasefire so that the RSO can take control of the situation and provide a solution or direct others to provide assistance if necessary.

During a ceasefire, there should be no handling of firearms. The key things to remember are:

1. Chamber is empty and ammunition source (magazine) is removed.
2. Action is open.
3. Hands off!
4. Step away from the firing line.

Before anyone goes downrange, the RSO will do a visual check to see that everyone has stepped away from the firing line, and then ask, “Is everyone clear?” Everyone else on the line should also make this visual check, because safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Clear means that all shooters have made their firearms safe, that no one has a gun in his/her hand, and that there will be no handling of firearms until permission is given. Then, and ONLY then, may anyone go downrange.

When the ceasefire is over, the RSO will ensure that no one is downrange before stating, “The range is going hot.” This alerts everyone that the range is shifting from a ceasefire, but it doesn’t mean that shooting may begin. You must wait until the “commence firing” command has been given before you can shoot.

Commence Firing is the command given that tells everyone it’s safe to shoot. That doesn’t mean you start blazing away. It means that when you are ready, you may shoot your gun. These are two of the sweetest words a shooter will hear.

Marines in Europe at Gun Range

Remember, safety is everyone’s job. You are responsible for your own safety, the safety of others and for the behavior of your guests. If you see that someone else isn’t following the rules, you should leave the range. Go to a safe place and report the situation as soon as possible to the authorities.

A few other rules of Good Gun Range Etiquette are:

1. Do not fire at posts, supports or target frames. These are expensive and time-consuming to replace.

2. Shoot only range-approved targets. Check with your range to find out what types of targets are allowed. Some ranges allow only approved paper, cardboard, club-furnished metal targets and clay targets.

3. If you set out target frames to support your targets before you started shooting, you will need to return them to the storage area once you are done.

4. If your club or range allows pets, keep them on leashes or under control at all times. Give careful consideration to bringing a pet to a shooting range. Remember that shooting may hurt your pet’s hearing the same way it may hurt yours. Pets that scavenge (eat things that may or may not be food) should not come to a shooting range with you. Be aware that pets unused to gunfire might panic on a range.

5. It’s good etiquette to leave the range better than you found it. Picking up trash, cleaning your firing station, and obeying all of the range rules are not only good gun range etiquette—they’re good manners!

By Elizabeth D. Hellmann

Originally posted December 17, 2013  

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia