Armory
The care, use, maintenance & safety of Black Powder & Edged Weapons.
490 topics in this forum
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- 56 replies
- 18.7k views
I think this topic has come up a few times before, but I don't think it has it's own thread yet... Anyways, because of time (or rather a shortness thereof), I am going to have to re-harden the frizzen on my doglock long arm this weekend. I do have some limited experience working with metal, and have forged a few knives, fire strikers and other simple things before, so I am not too nervous about it... My main question is about a hardenning agent, is borax good to use? Or is there a better alternative that is still easy to find and not too expensive? I have access to a good torch to get the metal red hot, and I am sure I can get my hands on some used motor oil for the q…
Last reply by gunner Gordon, -
- 8 replies
- 2.5k views
Saturday I bought a Pirate Sea Service Pike pistol at a gun show....I will be posting pictures tommorow....I need help identifying this gun....The person I bought this from has not seen anything like this and he has seen collecting for 50 years.... It is in great shape and the detailing is very interesting...it has silver coarsing in the handle and under the barrel on the stock....the butt has been shaved down and a pike was installed...so its a gun with a pike/axe at the end.....the interresting thing is that it does not have a ramrod holder.......any thoughts Bretheren ?
Last reply by MarkG, -
- 30 replies
- 5.3k views
Hello mates can anyone help me out here i got this pistol but it does have any real markings on it. it looks like a english dragoon but im not sure, it doesnt have the makers name on it not even what the caliber it is, can anyone help me out thankie
Last reply by Ivan Henry aka Moose, -
- 0 replies
- 1.1k views
Just discovered this on the site og Manning Imperial. I thoughd I share it here... Sheers!
Last reply by Korisios, -
- 1 reply
- 1k views
leather,canvas metal,wood?what would sword sheaths be made of?id say all of the above from my exp...but as most here are more familiar with naval things than i am i thought i'd inquire.
Last reply by callenish gunner, -
- 11 replies
- 2.7k views
Last year I bought my first functional flintlock. It is a French 1733 model, pictured here: So far, I like it quite well. It's got a good shape overall, a belt clip, and it sparks quite nicely, though I have not yet been able to actually fire it. It came with a sort of glossy finish that I'm really not very happy with, and as I've worn it this has started to scratch and rub off. What I'd really like to do is take the thing apart, sand down the stock, and refinish it to something not quite as shiny/flakey, and preferably more period. I'd also like to adjust it a little so the metal parts fit a little more seamlessly, which is a problem I have with most all modern f…
Last reply by Captain McCool, -
- 14 replies
- 3.5k views
Hey 16th Century Sword Experts - So what would be an appropriate sword for 1586? I have done a little research and found these:
Last reply by Jib, -
- 18 replies
- 4.2k views
Here is the Antique English Hunting Hanger I have just treated myself to from the late 17th to early 18th century.
Last reply by 1stMate Matt, -
- 10 replies
- 1.8k views
so my wife gave me this rusty cutlass/saber about 2 years ago...i just thought about it today..think ill rebuild it for my kit...but i need help classifying it..ill try to post pics later here are the dimensions....length of blade from tip to guard...29 3/4 "sharpened along the back 4 3/4"the handle is 4 3/4"....1"wide on the side1/8 wide on the spine...the edge begins 6 1/8" from the guard...the guard is cheap pressed sheet steel.i plan on replacing it.it looks kinda like a basket hilt.any help is most welcome....antler or teak for the handle?
Last reply by PoD, -
- 17 replies
- 2.2k views
Hi guys I bought a knife and a machete with windlass steel blade a while back and find them too shinny. Is there a way to aged them a little bit? I don't want them too look brand new. Not full of rust either. Any trick or advice? Thanks
Last reply by callenish gunner, -
- 4 replies
- 1.4k views
Mayhaps, where can I find a decent powder measure? Middlesex discontinued theirs. Any ideas?
Last reply by Liam McMac, -
- 2 replies
- 1k views
Ahoy Maties! I teach Treasure Island, Count of Monte Crosto and other historical novels at a school here in New Orleans. Having read Cascabel's article on Flintlocks and after his hearing his lecture on Blackpowder Arms at PyrateCon a few years back, I have been toying with the idea of aquiring one for educational purposes. We attend the Battle of New Orleans reenactment every year as well as the Louisiana Renaissance Festival and Fort Pike, all of which include some firing demostrations. I already have several replicas which we use in class to explain the mechanics involved but some of the parts are different. What I need is an affordable, ( I am a teacher after all!…
Last reply by IronTom, -
- 5 replies
- 2.1k views
My husband and a few other erstwhile pirates are entertaining at the Buccaneer Days in Corpus Christi, TX. They are running out of blackpowder, and have tried to buy blackpowder locally, and cannot find it. Does anyone have any suggestions for a place to buy blackpowder that is somewhat close to Corpus Christi? Apparently Texas recently passed some law that blackpowder has to be kept in a certain kind of container, and a lot of the stores that previously carried it, decided not to get the container and just stopped carrying blackpowder. Thank you, --Jamaica Rose
Last reply by MorganTyre, -
- 2 replies
- 2.6k views
Just wondering if anyone out there makes a Handgonne.. Also, would a serpentine model (later handgonne) have been used at Drake's Raid 1586? I am thinking that at that point, a functional serpentine handgonne might have still seen some limited use - why through away a good (if not goofy) early matchlock? My initial research says they were in use in the 16th century - any insight or makers?
Last reply by MarkG, -
- 17 replies
- 2.5k views
I was given a cutlass for my birthday a while back, but it's gradually rusting up on me. I've spent a good chunk of my life caring for knives of one sort or another, but I've never had a carbon steel knife rust up like the handguard of my cutlass. Any ideas how I can get rid of the rust without scratching up the surface of my sword? And how I can better care for it in the future?
Last reply by adam cyphers, -
- 3 replies
- 1.3k views
Hoping this is the right place for this, I have discovered the following item that has valuable info for any pirate. I don't suppose the chapter on the bayonet is of much use for the likes of us, but there's single stick, cudgel, quarterstaff...as well as saber and cutlass... http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31214/31214-h/31214-h.htm
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- 16 replies
- 3.1k views
J8ksdad asked me to make him my version of the cutlass that Larry Nowicki did in the fall issue of Pirates Magazine. What he didnt know is that sword was a copy of one that I had done before that was a copy of an original. So this sword is a copy of a copy of a copy. He wanted a few things refined and a stage combat worthy blade with a faceted pommel. This is what I came up with. I took some shots of it with the Cable damascus sword that Larry made, so you could see the changes and how close I got them. Would make a nice lil pair! The handle is Oak and yes she rings! Nice sword. I enjoyed making it and I will be making more for general stock soon.
Last reply by 1stMate Matt, -
- 1 reply
- 2.2k views
Hello all me scurvys Last year at the Ojai Pirate festival, I ended up breaking the Mainspring on my Charleville flintlock pistol. So i decided to check out many different places for my spring. I looked over at the rifle shop, Dixie gun works and other websites couldnt find anyone to help me or to get a replacement spring. So i decided to try Middlesex Village Trading co. I remember seeing gun repair on there website. so i email Mvtco and to find out if they can fix my pistol. They said if you have the original spring we might be able to fix it, so i send my pistol over to Middlesex in a few days later. i get a email and a phone call saying that my pistol was fixed and …
Last reply by Capt. Bo of the WTF co., -
Starter blade 1 2
by MadJack- 30 replies
- 4.6k views
Suggestion on what kind of 1st Sword I should get . Nothing fancy but No cheap blade either, Thanks
Last reply by Captain McCool, -
- 16 replies
- 3.8k views
Anyone here have any experience with Starfire swords? I'm looking at getting one and I'm just checking into them before I make the big purchase.
Last reply by captscurvy_nc, -
- 16 replies
- 2.7k views
Hi all, a few years ago we did some experiments with battlefield safe grenades for re-enactment. The obvious problem is that your cannot guarantee control over where they land, or bouce to etc. We made papier-mache balls with a hole in the middle, then pushed a crow scarer (like a big banger) into the hole, then packed it out with sawdust if I remember correctly. The result was a device that you could quite happily set off on a table in front of you without any ill effects. The whole thing was painted black, the fuse lit then hurled in the direction of your enemy. Obviously care was taken to throw them away from any audience and to make them fall somewhat short of the e…
Last reply by Bright, -
- 5 replies
- 1.9k views
This is a cutlass I made from an old Indian made decorative sabre i bought off ebay for 99p ($1.64). After cutting the blade down and grinding off all the etching it didnt turn out too bad. I'm toying with the idea of replacing the grip with a stag horn one.
Last reply by 1stMate Matt, -
- 8 replies
- 1.4k views
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz214/csuttle3/26571_1158606664195_1798636825_3103.jpg http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz214/csuttle3/26571_1158606864200_1798636825_3103.jpg These are two links to pics of a blade I found while cleaning out a barn for a friend of the families years ago. i don't know the age or history of it but it appears to be full tang. The problem is that the shape of the blade towards the end is squareish and then goes into a threaded rod. No soldering marks so it is one solid piece but I have yet to find any type of handle or guard that will fit this blade. Would love to make it functional since the blade itself has some beautifull etching…
Last reply by captscurvy_nc, -
- 0 replies
- 1k views
I've been reading a lot about the history of blackpowder and came across a tidbit.. Vodka production in Sweden, which dates from the 15th century, has its origins in the local blackpowder industry where high-proof spirit (originally called brännvin) was used as a component of black powder for muskets. When distilleries were licensed to produce beverage alcohol (primarily spice-flavored Aquavit, but also Vodka), it was with the understanding that gunpowder makers had first priority over beverage consumers 1646 - Bofors Industries, established in Sweden in 1646, was a pioneer in the manufacture of commercial black powder. The reason that black powder was not in commercial…
Last reply by Red Cat Jenny, -
- 1 reply
- 909 views
Every year I do my best to make it to the Antique Arm Show in Baltimore. It is like a museum where you can hold and look at weaponry from all ages up close and talk to the owners and even purchase if your pockets are deep enough. Baltimore is known for rare items showing up. Years past I go right by the firearms and pay attention to swords and bladed weapons. Always a ton of basket hilts and rapiers not to mention top notch small swords. This year I have been hooked on flintlocks so that is where my eyes took me most of the time. I found some out of this world pieces. I saw at least 5 blunderbuss with spring loaded bayonets(I will be altering mine now and adding one …
Last reply by Capt. Bo of the WTF co.,
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