Ivan Henry aka Moose

Answered me own query! "Others, like the Lightning closure, was invented in the 1870s and is still in use today. " Who would think there are sites on the internets devoted to bottle closure history!? http://www.sha.org/bottle/closures.htm So I leave them at home for PIP... :-( I was hoping to stock several with beer and wine.

Went through a low point years ago with a divorce. Know the feeling, and I would never trade it in for a better one. You experience, learn, grow and move on.... Life is pretty cool that way if you wish it to be. No, make it to be.

So I have a couple that - well, I am guessing I will leave home for PIP. But since I haven't clue on the history of bottle stoppers, are the hinged ones like on a Grolsch Beer Bottle too late for GAOP?

With all due respect, what further information do you require? Whether by loops, X's, or cockade you sew the brim to the crown. That's it. If your brim is stiff, you'd be best off steaming and shaping it and then doing the sewing. You may want to punch holes first, to make the sewing easier. You may want to look at GoF's site: Hats My personal opinion is that, outside the military, it was not common to tack the brim up with stitches. I welcome any and all documentation either for or against this opinion. Your post also had a secondary component: keeping your pipe on your hat. I am yet to be presented with any evidence this is not just a reenactorism. Again, any documentation either way is more than welcome. These are investigative pursuits, not arguments. The further information I am looking for is what Jack Roberts mentioned. Is it even Period Correct? I am having trouble finding the "hat ties" in any of my research. As for the pipe... Here's a Caspar Luyken from 1703 (love the giant glass). Here s an illustration - very clear of some calvary officers in 1705 - you can see their hats sort of clearly - I don't see any sort of "X" or loop or anything in this one.

Bright, thanks for the input, but.... I am a little more PC and was looking for a historical as well as constructional perspective on this. Anyone?

I ordered some italian wool blankets, but will not discard the mexican blankets. Thanks Callenish, I agree. My blankets are all earthy colors and stay away from the pinks and brights....

Wondering - I would like to secure my pipe, feathers, etc. more securely on my hat. I've noticed some Tricorns have a "X" of some type of string material on one side. Any side correct? What is the material? How does it fasten behind? Is it two pieces or one? Anyone have history on this? Pictures? Thanks!

Both good points - I figured this might make good debate.

A recentish pic of me in my Reconstructing History Slops - thanks Kass! I got called a Minute Man only two or three times....

Are they plain or patterned? If patterned, they could be the descendants of earlier blankets of Spanish origin, and a little research might be in order. If plain, I don't see the harm. I've used wool army blankets before. I simply chose neutral colors and blankets with no pattern, imprint or numbering. THey have stripped patterns. THey look similar to this:

Just ordered a set. Hope to have for PIP. Thanks for the link!

You've seen em before those $5-6 Mexican roughly woven blankets. Some are heavier than others and cost a bit more. Are they PC??? Close to PC?? Are they even acceptable in an encampment? I used them last week due to the fact that I had nothing else close (i.e. wool blankets) and am wondering how the encampment crowd views them.

FLint, touch hole drilled, perhaps some tinkering since they are from India.

So, after all is said and done, I think I have a pretty decent tent. It's certainly not as robust as commercial ones, especially in fabric weight, and i only saved about $100 from a commercial one with poles included. The good news? On our first encampment, the wife and I won a Best Encampment prize! I treated the tent with three gallons of Thompson's Water sealant. As it weathers a rain is thankfully yet to be determined as the weather this weekend was beautiful. Michael is dead on that an additional 8" on one of the flaps on each side would be good. Our doors close, but there is a small gap in between the ties. All in all, the tent is pretty cool. It can sleep 4 easily.

One of my favorites...

Oh! Just found the info - sorry about that. Move along, nothing to see here.

I believe I saw something about a few free meals at Pip. Can anyone elaborate?

If I be drunk, then I be snorin. That means, I be snorin.

Hey Fayma, Nice to have met you at the Largo Black Caesar Boot topper Fest! If I were to demo something, when would the times be for that?

I am so very sorry. That is horrible. I hope a miracle happens.

Sorry. I can't ship to France. Sorry.

Uh... Wife not for sale. I will sell the baldric and three accessories for $125 if anyone is interested.

I may have to put together a Buccaneer outfit and come visit. What years are you working from?