Rifles in English Life Guards.
In 1680 eight rifle carbines were carried in each troop of English Life Guards.
Rifles in Sweden, 1691.
In 1691 the Non-Commissioned Officers of the Swedish Dragoons received the rifled carabin, and in 1700 those of the Prussian Cavalry received the same rifled arms.
Experiments in England, 1776.
Experiments were tried with rifled small arms in England in the year 1776.
We read in the Scots’ Magazine, vol. 36, that “the Guards are every day practising the use of the Rifle Gun in Hyde Park. On Saturday, April 27th, 1776, their Majesties attended a Review of the Rifle-men yesterday, and were much pleased with the dexterity of the officer, who loaded and fired several times in a minute, and hit the mark each time. He lies upon his back when he discharges his piece.”
Rifles in Austria, 1778.
Austria kept 2000 Sharpshooters, having double carbines, which were supplied with a crotch to rest them upon while shooting. Only one of the barrels was rifled.
Rifles in French infantry, 1793.