Mid 1750s - British Rifle Drill etc Images & Other Sources Sought

[Silent Invader]

My google-fu is failing me. 

I am planning to convert some marching and standing Brit line infantry (F&IW 1755-60) from musket shouldered high on the left to musket held across the mid-body*. 

I have been searching out images for a suitable pose but no luck so far.  The best I have is an image already on my blog, which shows infantry advancing to contact at the Plains of Abrham, here, though this is at a run and mine will be either stood still or walking.

*My reasoning is simple ...... I can't get shouldered muskets inside my buildings without leaving the roofs off (and I like the aesthetic of the roofs being on)... and I'm snipping off bayonets for the same reason.

Cheers. 

[archangel1]

You need to look for Manual of Arms.  There are several sites out there although, at a quick look, most of them do tend more to cover the firing/fix bayonets poses.

Example...

http://www.1stroyals.org/drill.htm#

Just found this one for the 35th Regiment of Foot, 1764 Manual.  It's a nicely illustrated downloadable pdf.

http://www.royalsussex.org/18thc/manual1764.pdf

Hope this helps.

[Galloping Major]

I'd just be a bit wary of 1764 drill manuals as that's when the musket drill changed very markedly. 

[Aaron]

When I re-enacted we used a copy of Bland's manual. I'm not sure if it was that 1764 version or possibly an earlier one. I know I still have my copy, but unfortunately have no clue where it might be. I'll try my luck tonight and see if I can find it.

[Aaron]

I think it might be ion the attic and I've been meaning to go up and make sure the hornets haven't gotten back in to nest, so it's a matter of two birds with one stone really!

[Aaron]

No luck on the manual of arms last night, but also no hornets. I'll take another stab at it tonight.