GAF Class Structure & Battle Rifle Standards

These are meant to be GAF classes at a GAF only match, like a regional or National Muster. GAF classes are Rifle based, not handgun as per SASS and NCOWs. Mode of hangun operation is considered irrelivant based on the use of one gun and reloading.

Repeating weapons in Milspec classes are limited to an initial load of no more than 5 rounds. Reloads are unlimited. Scout classes have no magazine limitations. All weapons start with empty chambers.

As a technical limitation, no loading aids (Stripper Clips, moon clips, etc.) shall be used. *EXEMPTION* Due to safety considerations inherient in the design, those wishing to use a C96 Mauser (Broomhandle) are allowed the use of a single stripper clip to use as they see fit.

Spencer shooters may use a Blakeslee if desired. The GAF considers the Blakeslee a mode of conveyance, not a loading aid.

Much of this is based on the concepts as put forth in the "Battle Rifle" standards. THese are all 2 gun (rifle and pistol) unless specificaly stated. Please review the "Battle Rifle" entry. (See below)

Handguns shall be Milspec, or of demonstrated military usage, related in period to the rifle used. "Period" shall be defined as related to the adoption date of the rifle. "Scout" classes are restricted to Single Action Revolvers.

Those wishing to use C&Bs may use more than one revolver/cylinder, but will have to cap on the clock in liu of reloading.

All Calibers in the Milspec class will be milspec, with case by case exemptions granted. (Example: a properly outfitted Winchester 95 carbine in .30-06 may be accepted in liu of the Milspec .30 US caliber)

All calibers will be loaded to CAS spec. Rifle calibers will be all lead, no more than 405 grains lead at no more than 1400 FPS. Calibers greater than .501 may use up to a 480 grain bullet. Gas checks may be used at the Match directors discretion on rifle calibers of .32 or less. (Call Ahead!) Hangun calibers all lead at no more than 1000 fps. Further requirements for minimum pistol loadings are under discussion and may be implimented should need be.

Handgun Calibers in "Scout" classes ( Scout, Buffalo Scout and Forager Scout) will have a minmum bore diameter of .357. All Non Milspec handguns shall have a minimum bore diameter of .357.

For purposes here, Spencers are considered "Repeaters," not lever actions. Winchester 95s are also considered "Repeaters". "Lever actions" utilize underbarrel magazines.

1-Milspec Repeating Rifle, smokeless powder.

2-Milspec Repeating Rifle, Black Powder.

(combine if numbers warrent)

3-Milspec Single Shot, Smokeless Powder.

4-Milspec Single Shot, Black Powder.

(Combine if Numbers warrent)

5-Militia-Lever action and/or civilian spec repeaters, rifle calibers.

6-Scout- Lever action, pistol calibers, single action revolvers.

7-Staff Officer- Handgun only, Milspec or of documented Military use in the Victorian era. No loading aids. The Staff Officer shall engage all targets, rifle and handgun, with his weapon. (the "Little" rule)

8-Infantry-Milspec rifle only. Shall engage only designated rifle targets.

9-Buffalo Scout- Single shot hunting rifles (no ejectors), single action revolver.

10-Forager Scout- Single shot (ejectors allowed) double barrel (No ejectors) or lever action shotgun, single action revolver. (Bummer class!) Target engagement as per the Match Director, reccomended to engage per rifle sequence on handgun targets.

For those wanting a Spencer class, If you think about it, BP repeater will most likely be just that.

Note we often refer to handguns, not single action revolvers. It means just that. That they should be related in PERIOD to the rifle used in the Milspec classes gives a great deal of flexibility. MILSPEC classes will be shot in accordance with Battle Rifle Standards

Classes may be combined at the Match directors discretion should numbers warrent. Any class may be devided by powder type/action/gender should numbers warrent

Please submit any questions to the Ordnance Officer


MILSPEC/BATTLE RIFLE STANDARDS

This is NOT always a class in and of itself, but a set of standards for the use of these type weapons in a GAF match, outside of the usual Cowboy style classes. This may be either broken up by action or powder type at the descretion of the Match director or it can be run as a single class if numbers so warrent.

MILSPEC WEAPONS OF THE LATE VICTORIAN ERA, 1865-1901

-Rifles will be MAIN BATTLE RIFLES and CARBINES, utilizing CAS spec ammunition. Lead bullets of weight no more than 405 grains, velocity less than 1400 FPS. Calilbers greater than .501 may use up to a 480 grain bullet. Rifle calibers of .32 or less may use gas checks at the match directors discretion. (Call ahead!) Examples would be, but not limited to: Krags, Spencers, Trapdoors, Sniders, Enfields, early Mausers. Handguns would be milspec, or of demonstrated military use, related in period to the rifle used. The rifle is the determing factor here.

-NOTE- Handguns are related IN PERIOD to the rifle used. It is understood that some handgun/rifle combinations may be difficult to impossible to achieve. Reasonable substitutions are allowed. Officers of the period often purchased their own sidearms. (Notice it says "Handguns"? Thats right. Broomhandle fanatics rejoice! For you DA revolver types, no loading aids of any type.)

-Rifles/carbines must be in a military configuration, military caliber. Example: the 1895 Winchester is allowed, if in military configuration, chambered in .30 US (.30-40 Krag) Lever action rifles with tubular underbarrel magazines are specificaly not allowed. There will be other classes for them.

(reasonable caliber subsitiution may be allowed on a case by case basis.)

-Dress must attempt to be military, matching the weapon used. Don't show up dressed for the Rough Riders carrying a Mauser. Full or partial uniforms are fine, Scouts, field expediencey, irregulars and "Hollywood" are recognized. (caveat: you want to be an irregular, you better have some provenance that shows you to be a fair representation.) Ladies may adhere to the above, or perhaps better to dress appropriate to the period, with some military "accessories". Perhaps a Kepi, corded Slouch, or officers sash. For ladies wishing to really go all out, it is suggested watching John Fords "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon".

-Era single shots, ie trapdoors, Martini Henrys, Rolling blocks, are encouraged, loaded to spec. Course of fire may be different from that of the repeaters at the match directors discretion.

-As a technical limitation, No stripper clips/loading aids allowed. All repeating weapons(rifles AND handguns) will start with no more than 5 rounds. Reloads have no limit. All reloads will be of loose ammo, from appropriate belts/pouchs/pockets, no aids of any kind. Loading aids may be used to charge the weapon prior to stage start, but none will be used in the stage itself. *EXEMPTION* Due to safety considerations inherient in the design, C96 Mausers are allowed a single stripper clip. Spencer shooters may use a Blakeslee if they so desire, as the GAF considers the Blakeslee a mode of conveyance, not a speed loader.

-Modifications allowed: None. Springs may be replaced/lightened, existing parts polished to improve trigger pull, thats it. Parts may be replaced only to repair/return to Milspec.

-Regarding the Turks using 1866s at Plevna and the Henrys of the 1st DC. There are plenty of other venues for those. SASS, NCOWs, etc. This is for Main Battle rifles. Henrys and 66s were the submachine guns of their era. In the GAF classification system lever action pistol caliber rifles are hereby restricted to Scout Class. This does not mean you are a Scout. It is simply the name of the class.

EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE RIFLES.

Not final, research ongoing. South American variations on the Comblain are endless! Where not mentioned, it is expected that these will be in military configuration. Please submit weapon suggestions by PM for evaluation. If it was accepted for military service prior to 1902 we would like to know about it. Weapons must use a self contained cartridge with integral primer. IE no muzzleloaders, or breechloaders requiring a seperate percussion cap.

Milspec replicas, such as the various Trapdoor Springfield replicas from H&R and Pedersoli, are recognized.

CARCANO 1891

COMBLAIN-VARIOUS FROM 1870

ENFIELD .303 MAGAZINE LEE-ENFIELD (First, "Long" model. NOT the SMLE)

ENFIELD .303 MAGAZINE LEE-METFORD MARK 1

ENFIELD .303 MAGAZINE LEE-METFORD MARK 1*

ENFIELD .303 MAGAZINE LEE-METFORD MARK 2

ENFIELD .303 MAGAZINE LEE-METFORD MARK 2*

ENFIELD .450 MARTINI-HENRY

ENFIELD .577 SNIDER-ENFIELD RIFLE/CARBINE

FRENCH MILITARY MODEL 1886 LEBEL

FRENCH MILITARY "BERTHIER" CARBINE, early 3 round magazine models

FRENCH "CHASSPOTT"

GRAS MODEL 1874 INFANTRY RIFLE AND CARBINE

SWISS VETTERLI M1867-71 M1878, M1881

ITALIAN VETTERLI M1870, M1870/78

DREYSE "NEEDLE GUN"

MAUSER MODEL 1871 SHORT RIFLE

MAUSER 71

MAUSER 78/80

MAUSER 84

MAUSER 85

MAUSER 86

MAUSER 87

MAUSER 88

MAUSER 89

MAUSER 90

MAUSER 91

MAUSER 92

MAUSER 93

MAUSER 94

MAUSER 95

MAUSER 96

MANNLICHER M1886 "Straight Pull"

MANNLICHER M1888 "Commission"

STEYR M1895

MOISEN-NAGANT M1891

RUSSIAN BERDAN SINGLE SHOT 1ST AND 2ND MODEL.

PEABODY 1871

REMINGTON U.S. NAVY M1867 ROLLING BLOCK CARBINE

REMINGTON REMINGTON KEENE MAGAZINE BOLT RIFLE

REMINGTON REMINGTON LEE MAGAZINE BOLT RIFLE

REMINGTON U.S. NAVY "ANNAPOLIS CADET" MILITARY RIFLE

REMINGTON U.S. ARMY MODEL 1870 "EXPERIMENTAL" CARBINE

REMINGTON U.S. ARMY MODEL 1870 "EXPERIMENTAL" MILITARY RIFLE

REMINGTON U.S. NAVY MODEL 1870 (TYPES 1 & 2) MILITARY RIFLE

REMINGTON U.S. ARMY MODEL 1871 MILITARY RIFLE

REMINGTON ANY ROLLING BLOCK IN MILSPEC CONFIGURATION

SCHMIDT-RUBIN M1889, M1896, M1897, M1900

SHARPS .50/70 CARBINES

SHARPS .50/70 RIFLES

SHARPS SPRINGFIELD/SHARPS MODEL 1870-1871

SHARPS MODEL 1874

SHARPS MODEL 1878 SHARPS-BORCHARDT

SNIDER Various INFANTRY RIFLE/CARBINE

SPENCER MODEL 1860 ARMY RIFLES

SPENCER MODEL 1860 CARBINES

SPENCER MODEL 1860 NAVY RIFLES

SPENCER MODEL 1865 ARMY RIFLES

SPENCER MODEL 1865 CARBINES

SPENCER MODEL 1867 ARMY RIFLES AND CARBINES

SPENCER NEW MODEL ARMY RIFLES AND CARBINES

SPENCER SMALL-FRAME MILITARY CARBINES

SPENCER SPRINGFIELD ARMORY RIFLE MUSKET CONVERSION OF SPENCER CARBINES

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1870 ROLLING-BLOCK RIFLE, U.S.N.

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1871 ROLLING-BLOCK RIFLE, U.S.A.

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODELS 1866, 1868 RIFLES

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1870 RIFLE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1873 CADET RIFLE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1873 CARBINE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1873 RIFLE "TRAPDOOR"

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1875 OFFICER?S RIFLE FIRST TYPE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1877 CADET RIFLE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1877 CARBINE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1877 RIFLE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1879 CADET RIFLE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1879 CARBINE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1879 RIFLE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1880

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1884 RIFLE "TRAPDOOR"

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1888 RIFLE "TRAPDOOR"

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) ARSENAL-ALTERED TO M1896 STYLE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1892-DATED 1894

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1895 CARBINE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1896

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1896 CADET RIFLE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1896 CARBINE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1898 CARBINE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1898 NRA CARBINE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1898 RIFLE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1899 CARBINE

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY (KRAG) M1899 PHILIPPINE CONSTABULARY CARBINE

DANISH KRAG M1889

NORWIEGIAN KRAG M1894, 95, 97

WINCHESTER HOTCHKISS RIFLE

WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 NRA MUSKET

WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 RUSSIAN MUSKET

WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 CARBINE

WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 FLATSIDE MUSKET

WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 MUSKET

WINCHESTER MODEL 1883 (HOTCHKISS REPEATER)

WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 LEE STRAIGHT PULL RIFLE

The above lists most of the major issue small arms of the period. For those of you determined to field the rare and exotic, you can find just about everything here: http://www.militaryrifles.com/MAINIndx.htm Please remember that lever action rifles with tubular underbarrel magazines are NOT allowed in this concept. There are other venues for those. IE once again, the Turks used 1866s at Plevna, don't care, not allowed.

Why no Mauser 98? True statement "The Mauser 98 is the definitive bolt action of the 20th Century."

The Lee Enfield is NOT the SMLE, but the first, longer version. The SMLE was developed in response to the Boer war, and fielded after 1903.


The above lists most of the major issue small arms of the period. For those determined to field the rare and exotic, you can find just about everything here: Military Rifles. Please remember that lever action rifles with tubular underbarrel magazines are NOT allowed in this concept. There are other venues for those.

Please submit any questions or comments to the Ordnance Officer