Firstly, it has a rifled bore; secondly used an expanding bullet that improved accuracy out to 600 yd (550 m) and greatly reduced reloading time; and thirdly incorporated percussion cap ignition of the black powder charge.

[4] The consequence of this was that the army now had a weapon that was more accurate, at a longer range, was quicker to load and was marginally safer for the user as to ignition.

"[6] In June 1853, Colonel Hay arrived at Hythe, Kent, with a small staff of officers.

[6] A separate school of musketry was established at the North Euston Hotel in Fleetwood in 1861, but it closed after just six years.

[9] In 1969, the school moved from Hythe to the Army training establishment at Warminster (now Waterloo Lines),[10] and was joined in 1995 by the wing from Netheravon.

This led to the current cap badge being created: a Vickers machine gun, surmounted by a crown and surrounded by a laurel wreath.

[1] The SASC does not directly recruit civilians, and only accepts applications from soldiers who are already qualified Skill at Arms (Weapons) Instructors serving in the British Army.