Armory
The care, use, maintenance & safety of Black Powder & Edged Weapons.
490 topics in this forum
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- 12 replies
- 2.8k views
i was looking at an old book from the 1600 called the "SEA GUNNER INSTUCTIONS" it can be found on the web. it stated that a gunner should have plenty of old shourds to be used as sponge. does anyone have any thought on how this is used?
Last reply by Stynky Tudor, -
- 8 replies
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OK I have an old tower kit pistol and me frizzen is cracked.....bad! Any ideas as to where I can get another?? Rats
Last reply by Scupper, -
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- 1.1k views
I just finished a small tutorial on forging a huge billet of damascus. It has tons of photos and a video. Check it out if you are into the sort of thing. http://www.baltimoreknife.com/largeBillet.htm Cheers, 1stMate
Last reply by 1stMate Matt, -
- 16 replies
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Hello all, long time no type. I see quite a bit has changed around here. I'm looking to save up and purchase my first and only black-powder as a Christmas gift for myself after an unusually good year. As some of you may or may not remember, I've kicked this around for some time but this one really is going to be the year. Right now I'm leaning heavily towards the Doglock Blunderbuss from middlesex. The blunderbuss as a weapon has always topped my list and this one in particular really appeals to me. I was able to handle one (just hold, not fire) this last weekend and fell in love. Does anyone have any specific thoughts on this gun? How about general advice from a …
Last reply by theM.A.dDogge, -
- 2 replies
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I am not computer savvy enough to find the thread in the archives. Is it possible for one of you good pyrates to find that thread and put it up here again for references? we had some really good stuff there and a fellow from the Frontier Folk board was asking about this topic. I told him I'd try and get something if it was saved. Thanks! Bo
Last reply by Capt. Bo of the WTF co., -
- 20 replies
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Just finished me newest cutlass. Hopefully the images show up.... >>>>> Cascabel
Last reply by Stynky Tudor, -
- 29 replies
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Not sure if this is where I ask...but here goes... okie dokie - I have a replica (ACK!! ) flintlock pistol (would have a real one if they weren't so danged 'spensive). So, in an attempt to make my fantasy toy seem as authentic as possible, I have a few accessories to go along with it, and a few ideas of what I might need to add. However, I'm not sure when the items came into popular use, nor am I certain of the style of these items for the time period in question (either during the Elizabethan times for the PA Ren Faire, or the later Golden Age of piracy for other events). First, I understand that the true flintlock came into origin between these two time periods, c…
Last reply by MadL, -
- 24 replies
- 6.2k views
A while back mr Mad Jack asked me to make him a clamshell cutlass. He sent me a little picture that for the life of me I can not find. I am sure he will chime in with it. He also asked me if he could get some "in the works" photos. I figured I might as well post them here for everyone to see. I already rough ground the edge so we will have to start there. Here is the blade rough ground. Here is the clamshell as a flat blank cutout. This will end up fulling formed and traditionaly chiseled. This is just a start. I will have more pcitures later.
Last reply by 1stMate Matt, -
- 17 replies
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Mr. Pogue pmed me a few weeks ago and asked me if I would want to make him a billhook. He sent me a picture and asked that it looked old and forged. I am quite happy with the turnout. He will be making wood scales for the handle himself so here is the blade. Here is the original picture that I worked from. Billhook
Last reply by 1stMate Matt, -
- 13 replies
- 5.3k views
My apologies for not providing live photos in Philadelphia, the security in the museum was tighter than a drum. So instead, I purchased the National Geographic book in the museum store. The Sun King pistol on display, I thought, was one of the most impressive parts of the exhibit. The gun itself has no barrel or trigger, but everything else is there. The portion where the barrel meets the wood is actually slightly shriveled and warped. The impressive part is the silk bandolier, which I can't understand why it is joined in the middle in the shape of an X. The book photos below are not how the gun and ribbons were displayed.
Last reply by Capt. Sterling, -
- 63 replies
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In keeping with learning about our trade. i was wondering if anyone could discribe the parts, types, loading, sighting and other related knowledge to do with cannons, thier use and upkeep. My thanks Scupper
Last reply by Capt. Bo of the WTF co., -
- 5 replies
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Looking about the other day and came across this web site. Great Historical finds and arms. There are a few items that date to mid-to-late 17th Century! Wish I had the $$$! Antique Associates - at West Townsend, Inc.
Last reply by Cheeky Actress, -
- 20 replies
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What do others wear with their kits? I started several years ago with a baldric, but after seeing so many period engravings, I now wear a sword belt. I've read where baldrics went out of style in the late 17th century and commoners and soldiers alike began wearing belts instead. I like both of them, but for different reasons. I have a heavy cutlass which works well with the baldric, and a hanger in my sword belt. Rapiers also work well for the baldric, since they are too large for the belt. A smallsword would probably work well with the sword belt. To tell you the truth, the sword belt is much more comfy. It stays secure to your side, doesn't fly up, and your …
Last reply by Rick Skinner, -
- 18 replies
- 3.5k views
Well I have been doing some research from my desktop again. This is when I hate being in WI. I have been trying to figure out how gun ports worked and what kept them shut in bad weather. Can anyone out there help me?
Last reply by JohnnyTarr, -
- 1 reply
- 722 views
ok, I saw a question about gun ports and was curious and started to do a bit of research. I found a video on You Tube of a woodworker doing a replica of a model of the HMS Snake circa 1747. He stated that he was working on the gunports and OARPORTS for the replica. He stated that even up to that date the Admiralty thought it best to have auxilary power. To me this would be a bit of common sense in case of becalmed waters. IN POTC original movie it showed the Black Pearl with oars. However, in the movie Master and Commander it showed the ship laying helpless until the wind picked up... So my question is when did the use of oars STOP being common on ships?
Last reply by Dutchman, -
- 7 replies
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I'm asking for my other half, Boats. He wants to know where he can get real black powder? He's bought some that were "suppose" to be, but they fouled his gun up pretty bad and would not ignite. The last time he went out to the desert a couple of months ago, he literally had to light the flash hole with a barbeque lighter in order to get rid of all the gunky supposed gun powder stuck in in his gun. The lighter worked, but he certainly doesn't want to go through that again. He also has concerns about companies shipping black powder. Any help from you very knowledgeable people would be great! Thanks, Rumba
Last reply by hurricane, -
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- 726 views
As promised, Jack. Thought some other folks might like to see the photo also. Sorry it's on the weird angle...it was the only way I could get the whole boomy in and still get some of the detail from it. And of course....it was behind glass. We saw this at the Royal Ontario Museum and the tag said that it was an English Heavy Musketoon, dated 1700-1720's-ish.
Last reply by Capt. Sterling, -
- 11 replies
- 1.6k views
Hello mates i was interested in how does everyone stores their black powder. like what type of container at home and or taking it with you on the road and at festivals thankie Ol jack
Last reply by Capt Thighbiter, -
- 9 replies
- 1.7k views
Would a red cannon carriage be appropriate for a gun taken off a British ship?
Last reply by Black Hearted Pearl, -
Cannons/ Guns
by Jib- 9 replies
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I know that "guns"on a ship had different shot weights and names. Things like "Culverin" , "Saker", etc. Anyone know the proper names and shot weights? A list form biggest to smallest would be very nice...
Last reply by Misson, -
- 12 replies
- 2.3k views
In another thread on the weight of naval gun carriages, Black John noted that around 1720 there was a transition from solid bed gun carriages to side cheek only carriages. Notably I have read that this was more prevalant among the english, and that the french and spanish held on to the solid bed carriage longer, but anyway, since GAOP is mostly prior to 1720, I wanted to see about putting together a 'solid bed gun carriage. Most of what I see out there are the english pattern post 1720, Round shot and Rammers has a nice drawing of this type carriage. Basically a solid bed carriage has a bottom board that the sides sit on. (example from the MaryRose, scroll to the botto…
Last reply by Littleneckhalfshell, -
- 9 replies
- 1.7k views
I just came across this while looking for something else... http://www.nativeworkshop.com/flintlocks.htm
Last reply by oderlesseye, -
- 38 replies
- 3.8k views
I had a few qustions regrading pistols and rifles. On many plates i see them with sashes or something holding the pistols up to 4. How would you recreate this. And i have seen many antique pistols beautifully engraved and inlaid with gold. Would this be practical for a common pistol or rifle.
Last reply by Quartermaster James, -
- 3 replies
- 836 views
This Link will take you to the slow motion, high definition sequence of a Siler lock firing ffg powder. It starts off slow, so don't think that you are watching a dry-fire. Its live. Required viewing for Black Powder folks.
Last reply by blackjohn, -
- 29 replies
- 4.6k views
Some of you may remember the clam shell cutlass I built and posted photos of a year or so ago. Well, my daughter, who is a pirate reenactor as well, took a fancy to that cutlass and absconded with it like any proper pirate should. (I'm so proud of her! ). Being left bladeless, and being enamored of the simpler American style hangers like the ones shown on the Old Dominion Forge website, I recently took to my forge to arm myself with a new weapon. I love the fancy clamshell hilts, but to be truthful, I prefer a simpler, no-nonsense utilitarian business weapon, plus the shells on my daughter's sword were a royal pain in the arse to forge. What follows is my progress so fa…
Last reply by Red Cat Jenny,