Gunpowder Gertie

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and may the Blessings o' the season be upon all o' ye !

A very happy birthday t' ye, Salty, me old dearie!

Iron Jon! That table looked a lot like mine this Xmas! I regularly check a site online that sells 18th century pewterware, and have bought some in fact. The period pewter seems more plain, mostly with a plain border, no decoration or scallops. However, I like the fact that the Wilton isn't goin to cause me to be antimony or lead poisoned in some way! (However I do use the period pewter once a year..I figure it won't kill me to use it that much! ) I'm thinking that the blue and white pottery that one sees in period paintings is not only Chinese but could also be Dutch Delftware. When I put together my sort of PC pirate table..I'll be looking at the Blue Willow pattern dinnerware as well, since it's fairly easy to come by, and the blue and white pattern looks similar to the period. But that's just me.

Ahoy Pegleg! Ye fer sure have the leg fer piratin'! Well- 'tis up t' you mate- what kind o' pirate ye want t' be portrayin! Seems t' me ye have yer pick..you'll find a bit o' everything here..and a finer bunch o' scallywags ne'er be found! But 'twas I- as Lady B says -I'd be givin' a Long John Silver impersonation a try! Oi! An' welcome t' the pub! Allow me to let you buy me an ale and a meatpie!

Acording t' the updated information o' this evening..., there has been movement o' me parcel, and they will likely get it by Xmas! Whew!

Aye- I think we can all take a note on how this was resolved!

I have been tracking mine, and though it has been in the correct state since the 17th...it seems to be stuck in some limbo, and may not get there until New Years Eve!!! Hopefully it will get to my recipient by Xmas. Postal service!

Sorry Matey! Happy Belated from me as well!

Mine is also a two parter..one part is on the way, and hopefully should be there in time..and the other leaves tomorrow.

You know..this does look cool! I think I'd be up for this!

Simply perfect! Well done, Mate! Gives us all a standard t' strive for!

Hmmm..an' I was just sayin' t' Beowulf how cannons were okay in Canada... has anyone checked his pockets?

Aye- it said Dec. the 13th be the last day. So- get kraken! ...errr..crackin...

This BE IT! The last day t' vote for Oderlesseye for the Wahl Man O' The Year beard contest! T' make it easy fer ye scurvy dogs, I'll add the link again! As always- look fer the big beard and the sunglasses, and if that not be enough- he's Ron from San Diego. So- Vote now- ye can vote more than once, if'n ye got access t more than one o' them computer things. Vote like the Kraken is after ye! An "Aye" fer an Eye!

Awesome Mate! Thanks for postin' the pics! Looks like ye did a grand job! Nice work on the pirate ship, BTW. The kids looked like they had a great time, you yourself looked like a proper pirate...and the certificate was excellent! I'd say you hit on all cylinders...Mayhap a job in the makin' says I! Each one ye do is a learning experience...I've added and subtracted many a component from my events over the last couple o' years! After a while ye get t' be a pretty good judge o' what will work for any particular group of lil scallywags! Can't believe someone complained about yer flag though. And aye- it's amazing. I've often had t' go and do a party, after working a full graveyard shift, and maybe only gettin' a couple of hours of sleep. Feeling pretty wretched, as I'm settin' up- but after the kids get there, and we get underway..I always feel great by the end of the event! Pretty cool what yer can do, when yer put yer mind to it!

Oi! Not to worry! There are a TON of reenactors in Quebec..just not pirates. Hey- check the Flying Canoe Traders site for a list of events. And they are all black powder users. Ditto here- we do have some black powder cannon/musket folk here in BC too. Just a matter of finding 'em, that's all. Remember- they WERE going to recreate the Battle Of The Plains of Abraham..until some in the gov't got cold feet, since some very vocal French folk were um...unhappy with the outcome of that battle. And they felt it would be divisive to go ahead.But at one point, it was HUGE. People from all over the world were coming to be a part of it... I think it will turn out okay for you after all... here, now... I dunno.

and that's exactly the kind of thing I'm wondering about! Like I say, I think an email t' Loyalist Arms may be in order! ETA: Here's the information on their website re: Canadian orders. A valid FAC/PAL is required to purchase the brass cartridge firearms and percussion firearms. These can be shipped via expedited post insured. Please include a clear copy of your FAC/PAL with your payment, and a telephone number where you can be reached during the day. The firearms transfer will be called in to the Canadian Firearms Center. The CFC will need to contact you before the transfer can proceed. Once the CFC approves the transfer, we can ship. We do not sell firearms to anyone under 18 years of age. We will not sell swords, knives or bayonets to anyone under 18 years of age without parental consent and waiver. An FAC/PAL is not required for the flintlock, wheel lock and matchlock muzzle loading firearms except the pistols. As pistols are considered restricted in Canada, we must ship via courier, and you would require a valid restricted FAC/PAL to complete the transfer. Please include a clear photocopy of you FAC/PAL with your payment. Please inquire for total shipping costs. G) We can ship some of our pistols by expedited post if the touchhole is not drilled. It is then considered a non-firing decorator. If you choose to drill the touchhole, bear in mind that you are creating a restricted firearm, and must register it and have the appropriate permits to posses it. Loyalist Arms and Repairs Ltd will not be held responsible for any criminal charges incurred, as a result of converting a non-firing pistol to fully functioning without applicable permits. So- it looks like I have 3 options, should I want to purchase a flintlock pistol: It may be that I pick up one with the touchhole not drilled.Pretty expensive decorator though... Or - I get my certificate- take the 200 dollar course, join a gun club, and only fire/carry it there, never to join my brethren Due South... Or- have one of my American friends get it for me..and only use/carry it at events in the States, and pick it up from said friends on the way to said events... Beowulf- looks like you'd be okay t' get a long rifle from Loyalist Arms though... and from what I saw on the website, looks like a blunderbus would be classified as a rifle.

Aye- I know...I think I'll email Loyalist and see if they can shed any more light on this. Kind of ironic, isn't it. The thing about flintlock pistols being delegated as restricted handguns is ridiculous, in my opinion.

Oh- and Cannons are okay. You just need a permit from the city where you live. ETA: to shoot them off within the city limits. So- it's not ALL doom and gloom!

Beowulf: as it was explained to me by an RCMP officer here in BC. Flintlock pistols are restricted weapons period. They are classified as handguns. So- they are subject to the same handling restrictions. You must have a firearm safety certificate, you have to take the course, you cannot fire them except at a certified gunrange. You must keep them in the trunk of your vehicle, when transporting them and can only move them from your home to the gunrange. Flintlock rifles are different. Particularly pre 1898. Now- does that apply to replicas? I believe it does, if they are exact reproductions. But you may want to clarify that. However- they are not classified as restricted, you don't even need to have the safety course. I am still trying to find out how it would apply to a theatrical situation, whether a special effects firm, for example, could apply for a special license. That's what I have so far.

Done..an' one more time when I get home!

Welcome Aboard Mate!