Black Powder Training

Black Powder Training. If you are interested in obtaining Black Powder Training in Indiana please let Mark Kreps know. Put Sat March 22, 2025 on your calendar. Address :

• 18505 N 550 E, Dunkirk, IN 47336-9264
• Cost $25.00 per participant

If you belong to the SAR and participate in one black powder event per year, in Indiana the training will last 5 years.

From Trainer Marin P. Brady

1521 Little Lefthand Rd. Amma, WV 25005

Originally from South Central PA (York / Hanover / Gettysburg / Carlisle). Patriot ancestor (one of
several) is Henry Zartman who served with the Committee of Safety, Northumberland Co, PA. 1778
22 years active Military Service with the United States Marine Corps
Entered the Marine Corps in June 1976 at Parris Island, SC, have held a variety of duties and responsibilities to
include, Fire Direction Control for Artillery; Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Specialist; US Embassy Guard;
Marine Recruiter and Base Safety Officer. Throughout my career, I was given increasingly more responsibility
for the training and safety of larger groups and units. This training was anything from individual personal
instruction to formal platform instruction of large classes to US Service and Foreign Military personnel, to
include all ranks up thru General Officers. Subject matter included both technical information as well as
practical application. Supervised weapons firing from small arms to artillery and hand grenades.
Retired at the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in June, 1998 and returned to Pennsylvania for a short five years.
 34 years actively involved with Historical Interpretation
After acquiring my first muzzle loading rifle (in CA, 1987), I was quickly immersed in the Living History
culture. I have been involved with many time periods, French and Indian War, Rev War, Mountain man
Rendezvous, Civil War and more. I research, document and reproduce all of my clothing and much of my
equipment. I have given Living History presentations to a wide range of audiences here in the states and
abroad. I have participated individually and with groups in history camps in several states at National & State
Parks and Historic Sites to include participation in a movie titled “George Washington’s First War” with the
“Maryland Provincial Forces”. My wife, Victoria, and I were married at Fort King George in Darien GA during
the Scottish Heritage Days encampment in 2015. We are currently immersed in Rev War history & Genealogy.
 SAR member since January 2018, currently with Daniel Boone Chapter, Charleston, WV
 ALSSAR Honor Guard Commander, Safety Officer and Chair Field Training and Historic Presentation
 Member National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association,
 “Certified NMLRA / NRA Muzzleloading Instructor”
 Member Contemporary Longrifle Association
 Extensive training in First Aid and Emergency & Crisis management
 Currently reside 30 miles East of Charleston, WV

Black Powder Safety Training

To include Blank Firing Exercise

For Sons of the American Revolution

To my fellow SAR Compatriots,
With the increase in Rev War Commemoration Ceremonies, Battle Reenactments and other festivities, Musket
and flintlock rife purchases and use are on the rise. And so are Safety mishaps!!!
I have developed a Black Powder Safety Training course to fill the need of SAR Compatriots to get training
and experience with Black Powder handling and Firelock Safety who have never had the opportunity before. It
is my experience that while a limited few SAR Compatriots have a background in Muzzleloading, most do not.
The knowledge and experience Compatriots gain by taking this course not only enables them to safely
participate in Honor Guard activities, it empowers them with the confidence to go out and pass on this skill our
ancestors used daily to the public as a visibly active, uniformed SAR Compatriot.
There are three options available for Compatriots to get “certified” training; and while the first two are good
for their designed purpose, they each have drawbacks. The third is more practical and has been approved by
NSSAR.
One is with the National Park Service “Black Powder Training and Certification”. This is a two week NPS
Supervisors Course. It covers use of black powder and historical (reproduction) weapons use and is limited to
NPS Supervisors. While this training is not available to the public, park staff may hold some type of training
for Regular Volunteers. Many SAR Compatriots do not have access to this training.
The second is taking the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association / NRA Muzzleloading Course (of which I
am a certified instructor). This basic course cost about $100 and can be taken with a group or individually. The
course is set up to teach you to fire LIVE AMMUNTION, whether it is to target shoot or hunt. This course is
lacking for SAR compatriots because it does not teach or cover the 18 th century style of military loading or the
safe use of firing blank ammunition for rendering honors or demonstration purposes.
An approved third option is to allow an SAR State Society to develop their own Black Powder Use, Safety or
Evaluation Program to be conducted by “trained competent and experienced personnel”. This training program
I have developed is designed with this specific intent, and does meet that requirement. The novice is presented
with all the information needed to use his firelock safely, in a one day, eight hour training session.
This is not a 15 minute shoot & scoot! This is a well-developed 8 hour course of needed instruction. It has
been used in Alabama and Mississippi with great success and an excellent Safety record. The course criteria
covers: History, use, and safe handling of Black Powder; cartridge making, types of firelocks used during the
Revolutionary War; Serviceability, Safety and Handling of firelocks; Loading and firing; Maintenance and
Cleaning of Firelocks, all within the NSSAR and NPS guidelines. I do not charge a fee to SAR for this course.
(I only ask for assistance to cover my cost.) This training will not just benefit Color and Honor Guard
members, any SAR Compatriot will gain knowledge and skills about our ancestors and their use of these useful,

historic and sometimes beautiful Flintlocks.

Respectfully submitted,

M.P. Brady

Daniel Boone Chapter, Charleston, WV