PoD

Thats very interesting. I have some linen embossed paper that i might try printing one on then as i imagine that will look more authentic.

The text off various letters of marque are on this site http://zeerovery.nl/history/marque2.htm I made it on a computer (I knew that desktop publishing course would come in handy one day). A lot of the actual calligraphy was drawn in an illustration package then its printed on parchment velum paper that I print an aged pattern onto. The seals are real wax and I had a King George coat of arms made into a seal stamp. The wallet i made myself from leather and pressed brass decorations. I had them up on ebay for a while for £30 selling them as custom letters of marque that I put the buyers name and the name and type of their ship on, but as I only sold a few I took them off until I can get my own shop site up and running. I just have the actual letter up on ebay now without the leather folder for £10. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=160339490511

Just thought i'd post some pictures of the Letter of Marque I made earlier this year: Its based on a couple of different letters of marque as I couldnt find one that was actually a George the First issue. The overall look is inspired by a William the Third Letter of marque while the caligraphy at the top if based on a George the Third version of the document. The text (apart from the very bottom bit) is from a 1703 Letter of Marque that Queen Anne issued.

I was wondiring about this. They could possible have been like braces and the straps fastened in a Y shape at the back of the belt. Either that or both staps just looped straight over and had something to keep them together at the back so they didnt slide off the shoulders.

I have a very similar chest to that but I want to turn mine into this: A 17th century armored treasure chest

I'm in the process of making one of these. I made the cartridge box the 9 hole version so that it sits a bit better. I am toying with the idea of making it so it threads onto my swordbelt too so it doesnt swing out everytime i bend over. Took me a while but i finally figured out a way to hold the pistols on the belts too without using a bucket holster. Soon as I get 2 mins to myself I will fasten it all together and post some pictures.

If you are still interested in a trade I can supply some period correct sword belts for you: http://www.cybercyde.co.uk/images/belts/ I'd be looking for getting the large one of these made (a Boucan knife):

Ahoy Maties This belt is based on a mid 17th Century German Dragoon sword belt (first picture). It is also very similar to scottish sword belts of the time (smaller picture). As usual I tried to keep historically accurate. The belt is 2" wide and the small buckles are the correct ones for the time period (as near as i could get). There is a large ornate brass buckle on the belt but this can be replaced with a smaller more period correct square buckle if needs be. There is a removable plug bayonet frog (which holds the John Barnett replica version so hopefully will hold other brands too) and adjustable straps to alter the drop on the sword loops (these are quite hard to adjust though due to the thickness of the leather). £60

Aye I'd like to think it had been plundered off some French Marine that the owner had dispatched to Davy Jones

Ahoy Maties This belt is based on a 17th century French colonial infantry sword belt that would have worn during the Golden Age of Piracy. With this belt I tried to keep historically accurate. The belt is 6cm wide and has a large 2 pronged period correct brass buckle. There is a removable plug bayonet frog (which holds the John Barnett replica version). The buckle is off centre like the original belts to allow bellyboxes or cartridge pouches to be worn £60