21 shotgun salute

[30mag]

Anyone ever seen something like this?

It was from this.

Just neat. Looks like nickel-plated 870s?
The only firearm I've seen used in a 21 gun salute is an M1 (or a Carbine), maybe an M14 or a bolt action rifle like a Lee-Enfield maybe?
I know they use M16s sometimes, but I've never seen shotguns.

 

[rcmodel]

No, I haven't seen it personally.
I have seen Trap-Door Springfield's, 03 Springfield's, M1 Garands, M-14's, and M-16's, as well as real cannons used.

Can't recall seeing M-1 Carbines or Lee-Enfields used.

But the shotguns seem very appropriate for a Police Officers Memorial service.

Very nice!

rc

 

[.45Guy]

Can't say that I have. Though on a side note, funeral honors are not technically a "21 gun salute." A true 21 gun salute is an honor for heads of state...

 

[GojuBrian]

Very nice, thanks!

 

[jnyork]

It is not a 21 gun salute, it is 3 volleys of musketry. The firing detail (NOT a firing squad) normally consists of 7 riflemen, but may vary depending on the availability of personnel. The tradition goes back to the days of the Roman Legions, when clapping the hands three times was a way to bid farewell to soldiers leaving for war.

Salutes are fired with cannons. The number of rounds signifies the level of importance of the dignitary being honored, 21-gun salutes being reserved for heads of state. A 50-gun salute is fired on the 4th of July , one round for each state.

Good post, nevertheless, very interesting and impressive. Thanks.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

That is very cool! I've never heard of it being done with shotguns before.

Here is a 21 gun salute (or 3 volumes of musketry ) fired in memory of a departed THR member in 2004. All of the members of this motley crew are THR members. Can you name any of them?

 

[.45Guy]

The tradition goes back to the days of the Roman Legions, when clapping the hands three times was a way to bid farewell to soldiers leaving for war.

I always thought the practice originated later, from the traditional signal given that the field of battle had been cleared of casualties after a truce.

 

[Bababooey]

Hand to god,I knew it had to be texas before I closed the first pic....

Do it big or go home ..

 

[2RCO]

Here's a Nickel plated MN 44 from the 2RCo collection of randomness.

 

[jnyork]

Quote:
.

I always thought the practice originated later, from the traditional signal given that the field of battle had been cleared of casualties after a truce.
__________________

This website certainly supports your contention, and who am I to argue? I am still looking for one that supports me, and will post it when I find it.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/jointservices/a/funeralhonors.htm

Later: Found it, not on a website. Reference is from US Army Officer's Manual, sixth edition, (revised May, 1917) George Banta Publishing Co, Manasha, Wisconsin, among others:

"Para 488. FIRING THREE VOLLEYS AT MILITARY FUNERALS. In the funeral rites of the Romans, the casting of the earth THREE times upon the coffin constituted "the burial". It was customary among the Romans to call the dead THREE times by name, which ended the funeral ceremony after whch the friends and relatives of the deceased pronounced the 'Vale' (farewell) THREE times as they departed from the tomb. So that today, when a detail of soldiers fires THREE volleys over a grave, the are, in accordance with the old Roman custom, bidding the dead comrade "Farewell" THREE times. "

Words in caps are theirs, not mine.


A good example of how history always belongs to the author writing it.
"

 

[danprkr]

I live only about 5 miles from where that pic was taken.

 

[30mag]

LOL
I didn't mean lee-enfield. I meant Springfield I guess.
Lee-Enfields are British. Aren't they?

Yeah, I have always heard it referred to as a 21 gun salute.
Thanks for the info though. Very informative.