redhand

Stynky- instead of a sombrero, you might want to try a cavalier style or a Welsh style hat both are quite large and have wide brims! The welsh styled hat almost looks like a pilgrims hat. A Friend and I boughta couple to make a Revolutionary War Tory unit Grenadier's hat, but never finished making them. One of these days we'll finish them!! Cheers Redhand

Cronus- that all depends on how much you want to spend, what material, time period, etc, etc. The choices are endless, unless you're looking for an "off the rack" costume. There is also the thrift shop route you can go to make your own. Smoke & Fire company has patterns for many mens 1700's style coats as well as coats, breeches, weskits, hats & etc are available from many merchants like G. Gedney Godwin, Calapooia Traders in Oregon, whop specialize in 18th century clothing, also the Historical trekking list has a good list of merchants as does NO QUARTER GIVEN'S list of merchants and artists & etc. My best advice is to look around, decide what you want, what price guidelines are and then talk to the merchants before ordering. Good luck. Cheers! Redhand

Cap'n William- sorry it took so long to get back to ye mate, the 21st century was infringing on my 18th century! As far as load go, and I assume you meant live rounds. In my 2nd model Bess I use a regulation paper cartridge (18th century British army regulation) Made with the correct amount of powder and round ball...which off the top of my head is either 110 grains or 120 grains of powder and a roundball.... I use the smaller of the 72 cal roundball available, and use the paper cartridge for patching. That's if I'm shooting from a cartridge box. If I'm shooting from my bag, then I don't even bother to patch. In my 62 fowler & pistol I also use the smaller of the round ball available for it (sorry, I can't remember what the gage of the ball is???) in the fowler I use around 55-60 grains of 2F powder and i either patch with some light cotten flannel or 100% silk, now there is a controversy about silk, some say it leaves residue in your barrel, but I've never had any problem with that, I think it comes from people not using 100% silk. I use the same round ball in my pistol as my fowler but back the charge off to about 50 grains. You should also shoot your firelocks with different charges to determine which works best for you, as each will respond differently. I usually adjust the charges by bumping them up by 5 grains each time until I find the correct charge. As far as recoil goes, the fowler to me is no different than shooting a 22 rifle, a little more recoil than that prehaps, but I think you see what I'm getting at, just as long as you hold it snug against your shoulder. The Bess is another matter, at 55-65 grains it's no big deal, but bumping her up to a military charge is pretty spectacular, after 15-20 rounds you'll know you've been out shooting, my good friend and I had purple bruises on our shoulders after but it wasn't that painful. I'd LOOOOVE to put together the traditional Britisg load of buck and ball with 120 grains and see what happens to a target.....ever catch the Boston Massacre episode on the Discovery channel where they fired live rounds at a defenseless casaba melon & beef roast? WOW!! Hope this helps Cheers! Redhand

Happy Birthday Sage!! Hey Royaliste, Happy Birthday to you also!! My birthday is actually on monday, but we're celebrating this weekend with what else...a pirate party! Cheers mates! Redhand

Cap'n william- One of my friends has a nice English fowler from TVM, well made, nice lines, and shoots great. I also have Caywood "Wilson" trade gun, which is a fine firelock. Although their firelocks have become a bit pricey lately, their quality is still there. As Cascabel said, just about anything from Pendersoli is trust worthy. Cheers Redhand

Luigi- Is that fear I see in yer voice? Redhand

Cascabel- yes I'm very familier with the "kits", Jim Chambers style kits and such. These kits are definately for someone with familiarity in putting together period long armes as well as pistols. I would never attempt to put one of these together, partly because of a distinct lack of experience in inletting and etc, as well as no patience on my part-LOL!! ever got the chance to work on a Kit Ravenshear "kit" while he was producing them? Cheers Redhand

Ahoy Cascabel- Ever put together a long land pattern British Musket? I've been looking at getting one of those for a while, but was also looking at early Pennsylvania or Virginia rifles. Your prices sound fair for the amount of work that goes into one. Do you usually do custom work or work from kits? Cheers! Redhand

Huzzah!! Margot on DVD, Will definately search for that and either version of Scaramouche, silent or the Stewart Granger verion are worth owning. Cheers Redhand

Hey Flint- Were there at CW last weekend during their Under the Red Coat, when they do CW under British occupation? That rocks! My friends got to go and do it last year (we all do Rev War living history) My buddy said it was THE best living history experience he's ever had. I'd love to get back there for that sometime. I didn't go because they portray British Marines and I do Virginia Continental, otherwise that would have been great fun. Sounds like you had a great time! Cheers! Redhand

Hey Bilge Monkey wasn't the Captain someone of note, historically speaking?? I've read very little about this, but do recall hearing about it. very interesting! Redhand

duCour- I don't believe Queen Margot is available on DVD yet, it's available on VHS for around $15 bucks. That's got some great fight scenes in it. I'd like to get a copy of Scaramouche (with Stewart Granger) Turner classics ran the 1929 b/w silent version not to long ago and that was pretty cool, although I only got to watch a few minutes of it. What's the Vampire movie you mentioned??? Redhand

Flea! How can you say that Benchley's "The Island" was the worst pirate movie ever made? It's probably has one of the BEST examples of what a pirate raid on a sloop looked like. I suggest re-watching it, also the hair styles were pretty cool, sure the story line was pretty funky, and why'd they still be wearing or even HAVE 18th century clothes left is beyond me?? but over all the basic potrayal of the pirates is probably the truest ever filmed (as far as lifestyle, and etc) Personally I can think of lots of crappy pirate movies I'd rate before the Island ...Errol Flynn & Abbott & Costello names come immediately to mind...I know, I know...I've tread on St. Errol's name. Not all his movies were great. I'm prepared for the chain & round shot. Hey, there's always Yellowbeard! Redhand

Arrr, my inner pirate says I was "Dredd Pirate Kidd" Not the tradityional swash buckler, but a pirate at heart non the less! Redhand

Bawdy shots Try aski' fer that next time yer in yer local pub! sounds like more fun than plain 'ol body shots 'scuse while I ship off fer cosco, an pick me up several casks o rum. Got a couple parties I',m hostin' in July. Rum, Tikis an Pirates.. Woo-Hoo! has the makins fer a fine time...... Hmmmm, bawdy shots...that could come in handy!! (evil grin) after all it will be MY birthday! Redhand

For those that are interested, there is a great article in one of the "Books of Buckskinning" number 2 I think, On scrimshawing horns, as well as constructing powder horns. Tandy used to carry them, or you can order them through Muzzleloader Magazine. They have lots of good info in them. Redhand

OK again I say... A Warm Tart? A Hot Toddy?? Gee, it's just not as funny the second time around... well, back to the 'ol drawing board...wait that's where I sit everyday! bawdump-bump Redhand

Here's one I completely forgot about, nothing piratical but a great historical piece. QUEEN MARGOT starring Issabelle Adjani and Vincent Perez. Set in 16th century France durring the infamous St. Barthowmews day massacre. GREAT & VICIOUS sword fights. In french with english subtitles, a great movies. i think it retails for around $15. worth having in your collection! Redhand

Capt William & All- I'm familiar with Track of the Wolf , they a re a supplier of quality muzzle loading parts as well as carrying a good selection of custom & semi custom firelocks. I haven't bought anything from them, but I recognize many of the gun makers names. I myself would love to have a blunderbuss or carrige gun at some point, I love getting out and live firing my weapons as much as possible. I also enjoy the older styled weapons, I wish that somebody would make some that were a little more reasonably priced for the mass market. Custom guns are a different story, sorta like buying a piece of artwork! How many of you guys get out and live fire your firelocks besides Cascabel & myself? Redhand

I've got four, but I use them almost all the time, one is a buffalo horn that I've had since I was about 15. One is a nice flat style priming horn and the other two are nice examples of late golden age period horns, one of which is a smaller day horn. A couple friends made all 4. At some point I'd like to have one or two that have some nice scrim work, more as collectible pieces than ones that see "field" use. Redhand

Aye! I've got several, including a 2nd model british musket (a brown bess to ye lubbers) in 72 calibre, I also have a "Wilson" style chief's grade fowler in 62 calibre made by Caywood. and a 62 cal pistol with a serpent plate and a northstar lock. I shoot them all, including using shot. I usually reserve roundball exclusively for the pistol however. My son also has a 50 calibre "Early Reading" rifle that was used in he colonial period from the early 1760's to the mid 19th century. All are fine firelocks. I'm also interested in obtaining a rifle for myself and a long land pattern musket one of these days, as well as few more pistols....it never ends-LOL!! Redhand

Barnegat- Try the US Marine museum, or typing in Colonel Charles Waterhouse, he's the official US MArine artist. I believe he did a couple paintings featuring Decauter. He (Waterhouse) probably can tell you something about Decauter, or point you in the right direction of some info you could access on the internet, or inter-library loan. Redhand

Hey What's the Steven Crane story about? I've never read that before. This stuff is pretty interesting to me also, partly because of the "ghost story" stuff and the mix of history. I've read and watched some really interesting shows & books on the subject. Totally fascinating. I've heard the stories about the wreckers before. Redhand

Capt Luigi- Sendin' ya many happy returns of the day, and raisin' a glass to yer health! Happy Birthday Mate! -Redhand

Salamander- I think Capt Will was speaking specifically about the "Bowie", rather than just a "big" knife. The bowie being a specific style of knife patterned after the the knife that Col. James Bowie carried on his person. I believe this knife's distinctive & unique trademark is it's additional cutting edge located on the top potion of the blade. Large bladed kniveshave been around for a long time. However, long bladed knives have long since become synonymous with the "American Frontiersmen". Made popular by their use on the colonial frontier, especially by the militia & long hunters inhabiting the Kentucky/Virginia areas, and were labled "long knives" by the indians from their habit of carrying long bladed knives. Redhand