Historical ?

[TheGrayMouser]

What better place to ask an obscure historical question!

I have noticed in a quite few historical pieces, art etc, that cavalrymen in period fired there pistols in what appears to be an awkward manner. They arnt pointing with their arms and shoulders in line the way one would aim a modern piece, but rather holding them to their sides, almost like you would hold a lance.
I have thought of several reasons, perhaps someone knows the truth?
Here are some of my conjectures
A wheelocks of the time were more assured of firing with the spanner horizontal rather than vertical?
B the heavy Kuirasier armour, with its emphasis on shoulder protection from bullets made it ackward (plus the still popular closed helms ) and or difficult to aim in a more modern fashion?
C the habit of firing directly forward could lead one to fire directly over your mounts head , showering it with sparks and smoke?

C seems more plausible, but then again, wouldnt mounts become accustomed to the nasty habits of the riders? (Tralfast to other horse: your lucky your rider uses a nice, quiet lance, you must be union)

[nikgaukroger]

A wheelocks of the time were more assured of firing with the spanner horizontal rather than vertical?

This one was actually recommended at the time. I believe the reason was that with the pistol held somewhat horizontally the priming powder will collect over the touch-hole thus making ignition more likely. So done to get fewer mis-fires

I'd also note that as it was also often recommended to touch your pistol against your enemy* (or as close as possible) that this will lead to not firing forwards - with pistols of the time being accurate about the length of their barrels you want to be as close as possible


* IIRC under the bottom of the breastplate was considered good against a cuirassier ...

[kdonovan]

I believe there was a non-trivial chance of an eye injury from firing one too. Given this, and the very low accuracy of the weapon, there was little incentive to aim it precisely; rather they were fired in the general direction of a mass of enemy troops in the hope of hitting something/one.