Armory
The care, use, maintenance & safety of Black Powder & Edged Weapons.
490 topics in this forum
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- 51 replies
- 4.4k views
Ahoy Mates, I have been studying some photos of original period grenades that have been found in wrecks and such, and would like to ask for some advice. How could I replicate one of these grenades for display purposes so that it would look like the real thing? In these uneasy days of our modern world, such an endeavor might be eyed suspiciously, but my intent is to build a nicely made dummy, that people could look at and hold, but would be completely harmless. I think the main problem would be with the body of the grenade itself. Most I have seen consist of a hollow iron sphere, much like our modern military "baseball" grenades, with a wooden plug and fuse. How could I…
Last reply by blackjohn, -
- 8 replies
- 1.5k views
Recently, while surfing online, I ran across a site which sells prop weapons used in the movie Master and Commander. One of the weapons shown was an "American" boarding axe, with two "teeth-like" notches cut out on the underside of the blade. Curious about this particular design, I did a bit more searching on the net and found this site American Boarding Axe Now This particular axe is a Revolutionary War period weapon, but I have been wondering how much earlier this type of axe might have been used, if at all. Does anyone here know anything about this American style of axe? I am wondering if the variety of boarding axes might have been due to the tastes of the individual …
Last reply by Gentleman of Fortune, -
- 2 replies
- 1k views
I'm having a rather extended debate with someone concerning how Elizabethans carried their swords. I am aware that the normal carriage for a rapier among the gentry was the girdle and hanger. However, it is my contention that the heavier blades such as the backswords and Irish hilts do not lend themselves to such a carriage due to their weight and balance. I believe that they would be carried in a baldric, which hold the weight and balances the sword better. I have some documentation on this from the Funeral Procession of Sir Philip Sidney, but little else. Does anyone have other reference to the baldric being used during the Elizabethan period by lower classes, or …
Last reply by Hawkyns, -
- 13 replies
- 1.9k views
I had the chance to pick up one of Kyle Willard's of Old Dominon Forge's pieces a while back... (thats why I was scramblin' to sell hats, buckles, belaying pins', hemp rope, black bear skins... and the kitchen sink too!) Anyway, It came today, in time to be considered a birthday present... well, that is what I am tellin' the Warden (aka my wife). It came with a beautiful scabbard as well. I really dig the Dutch influence in the design, the 24" blade is VoC marked marked as well. Now I have to upgrade my carrying rig. GoF
Last reply by Matusalem, -
- 10 replies
- 3k views
Just found this on E-Bay. I can't afford this but I'm so going to clip the pictures. E-Bay page
Last reply by Gentleman of Fortune, -
- 16 replies
- 3.6k views
After searching this board for a few weeks on and off, I have looked at all the sword/cutlass posts... Through this I discovered Old Dominion Forge... His cutlasses were EXACTLY what I was looking for- beautiful, historically accurate, and the clamshell guards that I love. I emailed Old Dominion Forge to place an order (I had/have $900 saved up) to get "the perfect" cutlass... He replied that they are currently NOT taking any more orders... looks like I'm out of luck... Do y'all know of any other forges/swordsmiths making period correct clamshell guard cutlasses? I've been watching ebay and doing google searches for some time... nothing meets the quality of the Old Do…
Last reply by Pirate Petee, -
- 6 replies
- 1.3k views
Slowley I'm changing out my "Ren-wrong" garb for period correct garb so I can hopefully become more involved with reenacting events.... One of the suggested pieces for a kit I read was a general purpose knife..... after much searching I just purchased (last night online) a knife that might fit the bill... It's a 9" (5" blade) 'Roach Belly' Knife...susposed to be based off of the 17th and 18th century design- a typical English style kitchen knife.... Nothing flashy...just a good lookin' basic knife... It comes with a basic black sheath... do you think this will work for historical events or will I need to purchase/make a new sheath? Any premade sheaths online that mig…
Last reply by Capt. Bo of the WTF co., -
- 9 replies
- 1.9k views
I know that there was a type of cannonball that was two cannonballs connected by a chain, and was used to break a mast. What was that called? or was that a complete piece of fiction that I was told was fact?
Last reply by Iron Jim Hastings, -
- 24 replies
- 2.6k views
So I found a reasonably local place to fire my Pedersoli Queen Anne (.50 caliber). But I could not load a greased-patched .490 Buffalo ball. (The patches are .015.) I wonder if this batch of balls is oversized or if the barrel is undersized. It's squeaky clean, so I know it's not fouled. I was able to load patchless balls just fine. Rolled part way in and then seated it against a pre-loaded patch a ramrod. Anyone else run into this problem? TIA.
Last reply by Captain Jim, -
- 8 replies
- 2.7k views
I have seen many swords posted in various threads and usually the same ones come up. There are fantasy swords, and some that are declared to be 'period correct' which usually are some variation on the 'clam shell' design. I am trying to figure out exactly WHAT makes a sword, or particularly a sword hilt, period correct. I did run across a book listed online for sale "British Basket-Hilted Swords : A Typology of Basket-type sword Hilts" by Cyril Mazansky, but the price was more than I want to part with and I am not even sure if it would be covering what my question is about. I am curious about a sword that belonged to my great grandfather, a dress sword, and too lon…
Last reply by Matty Bottles, -
- 31 replies
- 3k views
This is going to sound like a very strange question, but...I'm wondering what type of result would be had if a pistol was fired pointblank at another person's head. I know it would most likely be fatal, but what I'm wondering is the type of damage caused. Pistols nowadays on TV leave seemingly neat little holes. I'm wondering with the type of ball used in a 17th century pistol pointblank if it would be...um...messy or not. And how on earth does one find this out (short of shooting someone pointblank with said pistol )?
Last reply by Story, -
- 0 replies
- 4.1k views
This is spun off from a thread at swordforum. In James Clavell's book "Tai Pan" he describes a weapon called a "fighting iron" used in shipboard combat. It is described as having a short wooden haft thonged to the wrist and four or five linked iron bars terminating in a small ball, sometimes spiked. Since the novel takes place in Chinese waters in the early 19th century, he may have had the Chinese Kau Sin Ke (steel whip) in mind. A form of it is still a martial arts weapon. But I've seen an illustration in a French 18th century fencing manual that illustrated a man with a sword fighting another armed with a "fleaux brisee," ("jointed flail"), which looks identical to the…
Last reply by John Maddox Roberts, -
- 6 replies
- 1.3k views
I saw a couple nice period cutlasses this weekend. Snapped a few shots when the guard walked out of the room. Shame on me. http://www.piratebrethren.com/articles/cut...utlasspics.html
Last reply by GreenBeard, -
- 1 reply
- 626 views
Kind of off-topic, but these are just too pretty. They were on display at a gathering of the Utah Arms Collectors Association a few years ago. They are made by Felix Werder, Swiss maker, in 1648. This seems late for wheellocks; but the type was evidently made by gunsmiths in Europe well into the mid-17th century. Werder's specialty was brass work; this pair isn't gold plated or anything, that's brass. His genius was developing a cold-hammered process for the brass used in the barrels which resulted in a strong, somewhat lighter tube. You know, with my own very limited experience in handling pistols of this grip angle, which is very different than modern pistols, it's …
Last reply by Captain Jim, -
- 4 replies
- 731 views
Does anyone know when dispensing valves were developed? I am looking at a very nice powder horn. It is beautifully scrimshawed; however, it has a dispensing valve on it. I might be incorrect, but that does not strike me as being GAoP. Any ideas?
Last reply by Yersinia Pestis, -
- 9 replies
- 2k views
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w132/li...isneySwords.jpg Hopefully if I followed the instructions properly, there should be a picture of the Sword Rack in the Fortress at Pirates of the Carribbean in Walt Disney World Florida. I ask, how well did they do? would these be a proper cutlass for the period? did Disney make these in shop, or do you think they modified something that is available out there in the market? and if so, who do you think the supplier might be?
Last reply by Patrick Hand, -
- 29 replies
- 2.2k views
Flintlock Holster For those who may be interested.
Last reply by capnwilliam, -
- 13 replies
- 5k views
Just last month, I bought this knife from Sword Demon. It looked like other knives I've seen advertised as "18th century folders", and cost me very little. The blade is different from the picture, though. There is no false edge on the back of the blade. Rather, the back of the blade mirrirs the edge, but is unsharpened. If anything, the blade resembles that of a robust produce knife. I am curious, though. Is this knife GAOP appropriate? Although my kit is more theatrical than anything else, I would like to be able to point out how it differs from "the real McCoy", should anyone ask. When were folding knives introduced, and when did they become relatively common? Would a…
Last reply by Patrick Hand, -
- 7 replies
- 950 views
OK, I am "converting" two plastic models into pirate ships/boats. One of them will be the Lindberg "Jolly Roger" into a sloop. The other will be the 1/96 scale Revell USS Constitution. BOTH will be made into 1/48 scale. So, I need to figure out which (if any) of the kit cannons I can reuse. I need to know the length and diameter of different cannons in the 18th C. (I would LOVE it in feet, if possible, for ease of conversion to scale) I need: 8 pounders. 6 pounders 4 pounders Rail guns I have found MANY references to pounds, but not to lengths. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!!
Last reply by PirateKing, -
- 11 replies
- 2.6k views
Yes, I know they were on their way out by the 1680's, but that's not to say they couldn't have "hung" around for a few extra years, carried by some pirate who was mighty proud to have them. My question is, does anyone know of any period depictions of pirates or seamen wearing a bandolier of charges (or "Apostles", as they have become known in more modern terms)? This is the set up I have chosen to carry and store my pistol charges, and since my "persona" is around 1690-1700, it is perfectly feasible to have carried these. I imagine they were just like any other military surplus---once they became obsolete for the military which they were designed for, they were sold out t…
Last reply by Longarm, -
- 11 replies
- 1.7k views
It strikes me that the D Handle Bowie, popular in the American Civil War, is much like many GAoP blades. Museum Replicas sells one that reminds me of the "long knife" concept. They also have a Revolutionary War period rifleman's long knife that caught my eye. Would either of these be a justifiable addition to a GAoP kit?
Last reply by Quartermaster James, -
- 25 replies
- 2.6k views
Period Fencing and Single Stick As the use of the sword was such an important part of daily life in our period, I propose that we in this form use our hobby to further the fine art of defense. The small sword was part of the education of every gentleman and single stick was a common competition. What can we do to promote the art? In my own area there are Nautical Fencing Seminars and it does seem that our own Black John and his lads are practicing the art on the East Coast. Now I am not talking about modern fencing with all the “right of Way rules” Nor am I talking about the SCA convention of losing your limbs and bouncing about like Monte Python's Black Knight. I …
Last reply by Monterey Jack, -
- 6 replies
- 1.9k views
I know we have been over weapons in many threads, but this time it's specific. I have been tossing around the many types of longarms available and in use through the GAoP. I frankly don't want anything to do with the dog-locks. Handled one or two over the years, just don't like 'em. I have pretty well centered on the French type 'C' fusil, traded from 1680 to around 1730. This would be an acceptable weapon on land, but any references to them at sea would be helpful. As a landlocked pyrate, I need to make the most of my investment in kit. OK, now let's get to the goodies... Bo
Last reply by Capt. Bo of the WTF co., -
- 17 replies
- 1.1k views
Alright i admit me interest is piqued and from a few posts in me other places and trying to get info the concept of clay grenades has been brought to light..... have some expirece with black powder and know that blackpowder weapons be allowed in some events and cases but have nevr heard o anyone using clay grenades in person or for display .....any concepts of this topic
Last reply by Salty, -
- 7 replies
- 1.3k views
Does anyone have any specs regarding an average size gunport and its mechanics during the early 1700s? if it helps for a brigantine... Mr. March wants to build a full scale section including working gun port and gun, for demos... Thanks ahead for any and all information...
Last reply by Captain Jim,
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