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DUELING
Duels were a relatively common means for the 18th-century aristocracy to resolve a real or imagined insult. Safely recreating a duel as a form of target practice can be an exciting and entertaining diversion. Though we certainly have not done any sort of exhaustive research on this topic, what follows are some ideas for staging a duel. If you have any additional information on duels of the period please do not hesitate to contact us!
At right is a simple target that can be used for the duel. It is suggested that TWO of these be made for your duel, so that each antagonist has his own mark to fire at, though a single mark may also be used. It would greatly add to the experience if this target were to be painted in as lifelike a manner as you have talent for. It is suggested that this mannequin be cut out of one-eighth or one-quarter inch plywood, though heavy cardboard would also suffice. Height, from the tip of the toe to the top of the head, should be about five feet eight inches to reflect the average height of the period. If you click on the wire form at right you will be able to access a larger version that can be dragged off to your desktop and, by printing it out and with the aid of a projector (often available from your local library for a modest fee), you may enlarge it to the proper size and trace it onto your stock of choice.
For the artistically-challenged a simple silhouette form is also shown here.
A delightful website where the 1777 Code of Dueling may be found was graciously forwarded to us by Mr. J. Prechtel, a very fine gentleman indeed. These rules will explain the various circumstances by which a duel may be called, and some of the basic principles of dueling. Additional information of dueling can be found on this site as well.
The Duel First, this activity involves the discharge of live weapons. It is vital that all parties involved are intimately familiar with the loading and firing of muzzle-loading pistols. Firearms safety is YOUR responsibility.
Now then, for a properly re-created duel, you will need the two antagonists, their two seconds and a surgeon who will act as a judge. The basic rules we have devised for dueling are as follows below. Once again, these are by no means a conclusive treatise of dueling, and we would be happy to receive any additional information of this topic. These rules were based on the laws mentioned above, plus some primary accounts of duels from The Packet and a fatal duel between Ensign Power and Captain Trevor of the 55th Regiment of Foot.
The target should be secured to the ground, either by a post or stake, in front of a suitable backstop. Be well aware of what is behind the target, and be doubly certain that your backstop is tall enough to stop any shots that pass over or through your target. The two “seconds” take care to load the pistols with a single ball, being sure the ball is well-seated and the pieces are well-primed and securely in the half-cock position. In loading and handling the pistols they must at all times be kept pointed down range and away from any persons. The antagonists must next choose their pistols, the man who originally made the challenge offering preference to his adversary. The ground is next measured off and a line struck at fifteen paces, or thirty seven and one-half feet, a pace being 30 inches.* The two aggrieved parties next take up a position on this line, facing their respective targets, and assume a posture like that shown in the illustration above. When given the order by one of the seconds, and not before, the cock their pistols. The second then asks the man who made the challenge to prepare to receive the first fire. In other words, the man who called for the duel in the first place is placed at a slight disadvantage as he must stand while his opponent takes deliberate aim and fires. The second then instructs the challenged party that he may take his aim and fire at his leisure. If the first fire strikes the heart of the target, it means instant death and the challenger immediately loses without having an opportunity to take his shot (a shot to the head, though not marked on the target, is also usually considered instant death). If, however, the ball strikes within the first ring but does not touch the heart, it is left to the discretion of the surgeon to decide if it is an instantly fatal shot or but a mortal wound. A shot that falls outside of the smaller, but within the larger ring is a mortal wound, and the challenger may take his fire in an attempt to also turn off his opponent. If the first fire falls completely outside the mark it is a simple flesh wound and is of but little consequence. A complete miss is an unfortunate circumstance indeed, and the challenger here has the opportunity to declare himself satisfied and refuse his shot, but this rarely happens but in cases of the most trivial affronts. The surgeon acts as judge of the contest and has the final word on the affect of all shots taken.
Note that once a gentleman presents his pistol he may take up to three seconds in taking careful aim and making his shot. Once presented, however, he may not recover his arms without firing (except for reasons of safety), or the shot will pass to his opponent. A misfire, hang-fire or "klatch," or a pistol that was not at full cock when presented is to be counted as a shot, and the gentleman who experiences any of these circumstances must wait until his adversary has fired before recocking, repriming or otherwise servicing his piece.
Check the links and clothing pages for information on proper attire, weapons and accouterments.
* A “pace” is defined as two and one-half feet (30 inches) in James’ Military Dictionary, (1810), Timothy Pickering's Easy Plan... (1775, p 43) and Cavan’s Treatise (1776, p 32).
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