"British "at the carry?"" Topic

I am building 32-figure battalions of British from Victrix in plastic, and do not find the "carry" arm position quite right.

1. Has anyone "converted" this position to something else? Musket closer to the shoulder, strap partly hidden, or closed to the stock?

2. Did the British of the period ever march at "slope arms?" Seems easy to "notch" the arm inside the elbow, and make more of an "L". I hope they did NOT have the musket on its side with the white strap showing – smart, but a pain to convert!

3. Would it make sense to replicate a battalion with the front rank at leveled musket, mixed with high port; and the second rank "at the carry," or at "slope arms", all advancing?

Eventually plan to do the 5th Foot, Northumberland, advancing as though to drive French light cavalry away from a Portuguese battery at El Bodon in Spain, with #3 arm positions – well controlled advance – no figures at the run, probably only one light company figure firing.

I just acquired an extra flank company box, and may do 32 of them at the 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers, using this same #3 option as above – advancing at Albuera with the 1st/7th and 2nd/7th, and the 4 portuguese battalions of the 11th and 23rd, to push through the French cavalry and join the fight against the stalled massive French attack.

Will also do th 48th Northamptonshire's in a more free-form advance, including some of the second rank at the "run" from the Victrix box. At Talavera, they launched a surprise attack against the French wih great success, and I feel some running figures would be appropriate closing up from the rear. No figures at the carry, but a couple at trail in second rank.

Advice welcome!

GdeP

Some drill positions were limited to 'Rifle' regiments, such as 'shoulder arms'. I know there was a carry for flintlocks where the right arm was bent across the body and the cock was hooked over the arm, with the strap against the shoulder to the rear (easier to demonstrate than describe). You would have to refer to one of the many published drill books – some may be available on line as they are all out of copyright ;-)

Rifles and light infantry did use the 'trail' position. However, practically every illustration and resource I am aware of shows British infantry in close order using 'shoulder arms' with the musket (or rifle) straight up and down, the left hand at the end of a straight arm supporting the musket's butt and the sling to the rear. When you consider it, this is the ideal position for troops moving in close order. Any slope on the musket runs the risk of hitting something or someone else as the individual soldier turns in the ranks. I believe, unsurprisingly, the Portuguese were the same.

BAck in the 1960' Stadden did British Guards in 30mm in dress uniform with musket as Artilleryman describes. The Victrix plastic set has a modification of this, seeming to show musket being balanced on the hand, not touching the body anywhere else!

I am going to notch the arm inside the elbow, strighten the musket sling, and move the musket to rest on the shoulder, held at the butt.

GdeP