this is fascinating, and I'm looking for documentation to corroborate.
best i can find is this document and a mention on wikipedia, but i can't find the 3-guns vs 4-guns distinction.
still looking but rather corpulent if factual.
completely agree that it "fits". the military wouldn't turn their backs, fail to salute, not follow orders… they are built on order and a chain of command.
i was just looking for a public source on the number of shots and order for various levels. that alone is compelling.
o7