Stack Arms

Stack (Take) Arms

Being at Order Arms with Fixed Bayonet

SS 424. If the rifle musket be used and it is required to stack arms with the bayonets fixed, the following will be the method.

1. Stack 2. ARMS.

SS 425. At the command stack arms, the front-rank man of every even-numbered file will pass his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand above the middle band, and place the butt behind and near the right foot of the man next on the left) the barrel turned to the front. At the same time the front-rank man of every odd-numbered file will pass his piece before him, seizing it with the left hand below the middle band, and hand it to the man next on the left; the latter will receive it with the right hand two inches above the middle band, throw the butt about thirty-two inches to the front, opposite to his right shoulder, inclining the muzzle toward him, and lock the shanks of the two bayonets: the lock of this second piece toward the right, and its shank above that of the first piece. The rear-rank man of every even file will project his bayonet forward, and introduce it (using both hands) between and under the shanks of the two other bayonets. He will then abandon the piece to his file leader, who will receive it with the right hand under the middle band, bring the butt to the front, holding up his own piece and the stack with the left hand, and place the butt of this third piece between the feet of the man next on the right, the S plate to the rear. The stack thus formed, the rear-rank man of every odd file will pass his piece into his left hand, the barrel turned to the front and sloping the bayonet forward, rest it on the stack.

SS 426. The men of both ranks having taken the position of the soldier without arms, the instructor will command:

1. Break ranks. 2. MARCH.

TO RESUME ARMS.

SS 427. Both ranks being re-formed in rear of their stacks, the instructor will command:

1. Take 2.ARMS.

SS 428. At this command, the rear-rank man of every odd-numbered file will withdraw his piece from the stack; the front-rank man of every even file will seize his own piece with the left hand and that of the man on his right with his right hand, both above the lower band; the rear-rank man of the even file will seize his piece with the right hand below the lower band (if the rifle musket be used the piece will be seized at the middle band); these two men will raise up the stack to loosen the shanks of the bayonets. The front-rank man of every odd file will receive his piece from the hand of the man next on his left; the four men will retake the position of the soldier at order arms.