Musketeers and the Twelve ApostlesMatchlock muskets were very slow to load and fire.  In the 18th ce

Musketeers and the Twelve ApostlesMatchlock muskets were very slow to load and fire.  In the 18th century and Napoleonic Wars a proficient infantryman was expected to fire around 3-4 shots a minute.  16th and 17th century musketeers could only fire around 1-2 shots a minute.  The process of tending the slowmatch and having to open the flashpan before firing made the matchlock musket considerable slow to use compared to later firearms.  Originally, musketeers simply carried a flask full of gunpowder.  However, as firearms became more prevalent on the battlefield, musketeers soon learned to speed up the loading process by carrying pre-measured powder charges in individual wooden or bone containers called “apostles”.  Typically, musketeers carried twelve charges contained within apostles hanging from a chest bandolier, thus they were named “apostles” after the 12 Apostles of Jesus. By using premeasured powder charges, musketeers not only increased the speed or loading and firing a musket, but could pour more consistent grainage of powder charges and thus have more consistent accuracy. In the 18th century, the firing rate of the musket would be doubled with the invention of the flintlock mechanism and the paper cartridge. While 12 shots may not seem like much, in the 16th and 17th century it was all that was required of the average musketeer.  Whereas as infantry in the 18th century were expected to fire several volleys in a battle, musketeers in “pike and shot” warfare could expect to only fire one or two shots.  Rather than being regular frontline combat soldiers, musketeers were more like light infantry and skirmishers.  They would fire one or two volleys, then retreat to the rear while pikemen did most of the heavy fighting.  If forced to fight in close combat, musketeers would typically use their muskets like clubs, hence why matchlock muskets had such large buttstocks. -- source link

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