Possible GAF Wild Bunch Revisions

[captmack]

Check out my new Colt 1917 I will be using at next year's Pershing Match!

[pony express]

Nice!

[Bow View Haymaker]

I ead in the dispath on the Dept of MO muster that the new GAF guidlines for this type of match have been finalized.  What are they?  I don't emembe seeing a final vesion or list anywhee.  I know a bunch of diffeent ideas wee talked about but my old brain cells can't recall any orders being issued.  just asking for clarification Sirs.

[Pitspitr]

  Eh-hemm... Yes, well, I sort of jumped the gun on this particular line. I anticipated it taking me longer to finish writing the registration information and get it posted. Then when it didn't take as long as I thought I forgot to take out that line. General Scout has the Ordnance Dept.'s final recomendations and I anticipate his revisions will be released anytime. In the mean time Col. Drydock's answer sums up the main points. I might add that if you are using one early era weapon and one late period weapon you shoot in the late period class.

Pitspitr has the final rules, but I can give you the basics

Expansion era match: 3 catagories 1900-1917

-"Wild Bunch": CAS levers and 1911s
-"Early Expansion": Milspec rifles and revolvers, loose ammo reloads.  (Think Krags and DA Colts)
-"Late expansion": Milspec rifles and handguns, clip fed.  Revolvers may use 1/2 moon clips. (Mauser 1898s, 1903s, both 1917s, 1911s, etc)

Outfits to match the rifles, No WW1 specific items allowed.  (No tin hats or gas masks)

[Bow View Haymaker]

Thanks for the update.  looks like I will work on a lead bullet .30-06 load for the 1917 enfield if I can figure the "outfit" part out. 

[Drydock]

Coon Creek Old West has everything you need.  Its by far the cheapest outfit I ever had to put together.

[US Scout]

Col Pitspitr and Lt Col Drydock provided me with a proposed GAF Muster Director's Guide.  I anticipate wrapping up my edits this weekend and returning the guide to them for comment.  I had two higher priority projects come up but finished the second one last night, so tonight I'm back on the Guide again. 

Their recommendations for the Era of Expansion side-matches was excellent.  For planning purposes, what they have posted here remains pretty much on target.  We'd like to keep the EoE side-matches relatively simple with regard to firearms and uniforms.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

[Willie Dixon]

I know this is a bit old of a topic, but I believe its a great one.

I'm a newcomer as a whole to CAS, and seeing speed freaks going nutso in SASS now with underpowered loads, and people in my area feeling the "outfit and persona aren't important, and why would you shoot a Walker Colt?!"  Has needless to say left me a bit disenchanted by SASS as a whole.

I've always felt a stronger tie to both NCOWS and GAF.

Now, that I've made a semi-quick introduction, I believe it would be amazing to see uniforms that predate WWI with their appropriate battle rifles and sidearms.  I think it could even be it's own class and a side match for we all know how fast 1903s and 1911s fire.  But again, to be able to use these weapons as they are meant, and to cherish and preserve the world's history of this era, I think would be wonderful. 

I, being a former USCG member, and firing 1911s know their speed and capabilities, and that a moderate 1911 shooter can be much faster than a quick SAA shooter and as such putting them together would ruin the "spirit of the game."  But I would like to see those that put forth a great deal of time, effort and research in a pre-WWI 1900s era uniform get the credit they deserve.  As an example, I have picked a USMC persona for the Wild Bunch in SASS and I'm going to light those targets up!  But, I also have done that because creating a persona, getting the appropriate uniforms and gear for that persona are fun.  Not "just a requirement."

Basically, it'd be great if the Wild Bunch style shooters could have their fun in GAF, it'd be even better if the pre-WWI shooters could have their fun with semi-automatic weapons of their era as well.  It'd be great to take my ol'03 out again, and not just for hunting.

[Pitspitr]

Below are the Final GAF Era of Expansion Match (EEM) guidelines:


The Era of Expansion Match

The Era of Expansion Match (EEM) is designed to commemorate the era of European expansion such as the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901), Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902), Second Boer War (1899-1902), the landing at Vera Cruz (1914), and the Pershing Expedition into Mexico (1916).

•   The EEM is a variation of what is popularly known in Cowboy Action Shooting as a "Wild Bunch" match, but with significant differences in what firearms are used and the encouragement to wear an appropriate uniform of the era. 

The EEM allows, and encourages, the use of MILSPEC firearms issued to the military between 1900 and 1916, with the exceptions noted below.

•   Rifle and pistol only.  Shotguns were not issued to military forces until WWI.  If a shotgun is required, it and the ammunition will be provided by the Muster Director.

•   Post-1900 design firearms may only be used in the Era of Expansion Match.  They may not be used in the long range pistol or rifle side-matches, or in the main match.

•   Post-WWI manufactured and issued MILSPEC firearms will not be used with the following exceptions only:

o   Springfield Model 1903A rifle.  Must have barrel mounted sights. WWII style receiver sights are not allowed.

o   US Enfield Model 1917 rifle: an accepted version of the British Enfield P14 in caliber .30-06. 

o   Colt Model 1917 revolver: a later model of the Model 1909 that permits the .45 ACP to be used.

o   Smith & Wesson 1917 revolver : a later model of the Model 1908 that permits the .45 ACP to be used.

o   Colt 1911A pistol.  Must be a basic model.  Beavertails, skeletonized hammers & triggers, ect.) are not allowed. 

o   Mauser rifles must be of pre-WWI design.  No WWII Mausers will be allowed.

•   The wearing of pre-1916 uniforms is encouraged but WWI specific items are WWI specific are not allowed.  Such items include, but are not limited to, steel helmets, gas masks, and other equipment or uniform items that were introduced and associated with the trench warfare in Europe.

•   The respective Brigade, Department or Division Ordnance Officer will have the final approval of any firearm used in the EEM.  There will be no appeal.

Era of Expansion Categories:

•   Regular:
o   MILSPEC Springfield 1903A1, Mauser 98, SMLE, etc.
o   MILSPEC semi-automatics or revolvers introduced prior to 1916 (see above for post-WWI firearms permitted).
o   Loading aids (3 round "C" clips for revolvers, clips for rifles, and magazines for pistols) are authorized.

•   Volunteer
o   MILSPEC Krags, MLEs, early Mausers, etc.
o   Single or double action revolvers.  No semi-automatic pistols.
o   Loading aids (magazines, stripper clips, etc) are not authorized.

•   Guardsman
•   Rifle or pistol caliber lever-action rifles
•   GAF approved semi-automatic pistol.  [I know SASS specifies the M1911A1 only – but I think as the GAF we can provide a bit more latitude and permit other semi-autos.
•   This category is designed to easily permit Cowboy Action Shooters to participate in the EEM without having to acquire new firearms.

Competitors should be encouraged to wear an appropriate period uniform that compliments the firearms they are shooting in the EEM. 

•   A separate uniform competion for the EEM will be conducted and one or more awards presented for the best uniforms.  First, Second and Third place awards should be provided to encourage competitors to shoot in uniform, and to encourage those who make the effort to match their firearms and uniforms.

[Willie Dixon]

Thanks Mr. Pitspitr!

I must have missed it if you had posted this elsewhere.  I think this is a great addition to the GAF and will be awesome for all participants.

[RattlesnakeJack]

Perhaps appearing soon in an "Era of Expansion" event - a full-milspec Canadian Mark III (M'1910) Ross Rifle, unit marked to Lord Strathcona's Horse  ......







            

[Pitspitr]

You didn't miss it Willie. This is a brand new post with brand new information. The command staff had been working on this all winter and it was just approved yesterday. General US Scout asked that I post the guidelines as he will be out of town for a few days and will have only intermitent access to the internet.

You will want to be sure to review the Grand Army of the Frontier Muster Guide thread as well.

[Pitspitr]

Jack, If ever I'm in your neck of the woods, I'd like to sign up for a tour of your firearms museum...er, uh, gun safe.

[pony express]

Jack, If ever I'm in your neck of the woods, I'd like to sign up for a tour of your firearms museum...er, uh, gun safe.

I'll second that....and don't worry, I'll bring my own "drool towel"(Got lots of them, since we have a 1 year old crawling around here)

Question on the EEM and it's uniform competition....would it count toward the overall competitions(Iron trooper, Division competition) at a grand muster?

This match sounds like it's going to be great, wish I could have made it, even at the risk of seeing River City John trying to keep cool.....


EDIT: Never mind the question....It was answered when I read the Muster Guidelines

[Pitspitr]

Question on the EEM and it's uniform competition....would it count toward the overall competitions(Iron trooper, Division competition) at a grand muster?

Absolutely not! The EEM is strictly a side match to be used as a warm up for the main match.

[Pitspitr]

[Grizzly Adams]

Below are the Final GAF Era of Expansion Match (EEM) guidelines:


The Era of Expansion Match

The Era of Expansion Match (EEM) is designed to commemorate the era of European expansion such as the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901), Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902), Second Boer War (1899-1902), the landing at Vera Cruz (1914), and the Pershing Expedition into Mexico (1916).

•   The EEM is a variation of what is popularly known in Cowboy Action Shooting as a "Wild Bunch" match, but with significant differences in what firearms are used and the encouragement to wear an appropriate uniform of the era. 

The EEM allows, and encourages, the use of MILSPEC firearms issued to the military between 1900 and 1916, with the exceptions noted below.

•   Rifle and pistol only.  Shotguns were not issued to military forces until WWI.  If a shotgun is required, it and the ammunition will be provided by the Muster Director.

•   Post-1900 design firearms may only be used in the Era of Expansion Match.  They may not be used in the long range pistol or rifle side-matches, or in the main match.

•   Post-WWI manufactured and issued MILSPEC firearms will not be used with the following exceptions only:

o   Springfield Model 1903A rifle.  Must have barrel mounted sights. WWII style receiver sights are not allowed.

o   US Enfield Model 1917 rifle: an accepted version of the British Enfield P14 in caliber .30-06. 

o   Colt Model 1917 revolver: a later model of the Model 1909 that permits the .45 ACP to be used.

o   Smith & Wesson 1917 revolver : a later model of the Model 1908 that permits the .45 ACP to be used.

o   Colt 1911A pistol.  Must be a basic model.  Beavertails, skeletonized hammers & triggers, ect.) are not allowed. 

o   Mauser rifles must be of pre-WWI design.  No WWII Mausers will be allowed.

•   The wearing of pre-1916 uniforms is encouraged but WWI specific items are WWI specific are not allowed.  Such items include, but are not limited to, steel helmets, gas masks, and other equipment or uniform items that were introduced and associated with the trench warfare in Europe.

•   The respective Brigade, Department or Division Ordnance Officer will have the final approval of any firearm used in the EEM.  There will be no appeal.

Era of Expansion Categories:

•   Regular:
o   MILSPEC Springfield 1903A1, Mauser 98, SMLE, etc.
o   MILSPEC semi-automatics or revolvers introduced prior to 1916 (see above for post-WWI firearms permitted).
o   Loading aids (3 round "C" clips for revolvers, clips for rifles, and magazines for pistols) are authorized.

•   Volunteer
o   MILSPEC Krags, MLEs, early Mausers, etc.
o   Single or double action revolvers.  No semi-automatic pistols.
o   Loading aids (magazines, stripper clips, etc) are not authorized.

•   Guardsman
•   Rifle or pistol caliber lever-action rifles
•   GAF approved semi-automatic pistol.  [I know SASS specifies the M1911A1 only – but I think as the GAF we can provide a bit more latitude and permit other semi-autos.
•   This category is designed to easily permit Cowboy Action Shooters to participate in the EEM without having to acquire new firearms.

Competitors should be encouraged to wear an appropriate period uniform that compliments the firearms they are shooting in the EEM. 

•   A separate uniform competion for the EEM will be conducted and one or more awards presented for the best uniforms.  First, Second and Third place awards should be provided to encourage competitors to shoot in uniform, and to encourage those who make the effort to match their firearms and uniforms.

Excellent work! 

With due respect, I know that the shotgun did not play a major role until WWI, but it seems to have had a role.  I believe it was issued, and used by the some units of the American military during the Era of Expansion.

http://www.olive-drab.com/od_other_firearms_shotguns_history.php

Here's a shotgun in the hands of a USN Bluejacket at Vera Cruz - bottom pic.

http://www.thortrains.com/online/veracruz1.htm

In addition, the Confederate forces who engaged the Union at Valverde, New Mexico Territory used shotguns to grim effect!  Their Lancers on the other hand did not fair so well.

Respectfully,

GA

[Pitspitr]

We recognize that shotguns have probably been used in every American war but they didn't become an issued weapon nor were they used in any amount until WWI. But as I see it that isn't even the biggest problem with writing shotguns into the EEM. As the GAF goes more to the Skirmish format the second long arm presents a problem. You can holster your sidearm and cary the long gun. When it becomes time to use the sidearm you can hold the rifle in your off hand or sling it and still use the handgun. If you're using the shotgun, the rifle and the pistol, what do you do with the second long gun when you need to shoot something?

[pony express]

Myself, I won't miss the shotgun at all. I only had one for CAS because that's the way the stages are written. Now that we have a GAF class at our local club, I never mess with the shotgun, just reload the pistol for the shotgun targets. I always figured that when a man went into a gunfight, he had either a rifle, or a shotgun, but not both.

[Bow View Haymaker]

I still want to try forage scout in the main GAF match some time.  Just a shotgun and side arm and blast away.