Francois

I picked up this long weskit at an event in April. I was reluctant to wear it because I wasn't sure if it would look good. I wore it to this event for the first time and after seeing the photo I kinda like it. I got plenty of compliments on it. What do you guys think. Francois

Hi Kass, I do understand what your point is and I wasnt trying to disspute that point. It seems as though you have done a great deal of reasearch and I do respect that. I would like to add I have a couple of your patterns but havt made the item yet. They do look very well done and I cant wait to get started. So heres were I stand on the subject. Like you, I would like to see solid evidence of slops being used in this period. Although My knowledge is far below some people in the re-enactmet world I shoot to be as authentic as I can when portraing a period. As for wearing the slops during the GAoP I think I will contiue even if their not proven to exist. One reason is the 90 degree plus summer weather and the other is when I get the chance to go climbing aloft it is so much easier. As for my personal oppinion I do belive they did exist but not well documented. It is also possible that the wide leg did not exsist as we know it. Some interpretations may make the slops look bigger or smaller based on the size of the person wearing them. To close some of the other theories that were listed earlier are also plossible. So I would say this myth hasn't been busted but it is inconclusive until more evidence shows up. Francois

If the dealer was in Ct I know of him. IM only 40 minutes from him. He is very reputable great stuff VEEEEEEEERRRRRRYYYYY expensive. He has all originals. Her is his link. Also look in this list about 10 treads down I posted some links for gun making. The thread is called To Kit or not to kit. Her is the link to the dealer in CT. Pauls François

I found this. I know it is a little earlier than we are talking but take a look anyway. Check out the Plate below and the date. Once again this is my opinion. These were very large knee breeches. If on a ship it is very hard to do all that climbing with the breeches tied at the knee. Not to mention that every time you bend your knees one of two things happen if there tied. If there too loose they keep sliding down and you have garters on and they are loose your socks will slide down. If you tie them too tight all that knee bending will eventually start to hurt and cut off your circulation. Now remember these are every day cloths as we wear everyday cloths today. S what would have kept them from untying it cutting out the lower seem and just letting them hang down. So with the amount of material shown in the photo below this could have been something like we are calling slops. Also check out then defffinition I found. I have added the link. Tempus Sewing slop, sloppe, slops A term used in the singular from the Middle Ages to refer to many different kinds of loose-fitting garments: in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, a magic bag or a cassock, jacket, mantle or cloak, gown or overdress, also a slipper. In the sixteenth and early seventeenth century slops, in the plural, were the full trunk hose or wide, baggy breeches of the time; one leg of such hose was called a slop (see Hose). The term was also especially applied in the seventeenth century to sailors' loose breeches which were ready-made from inferior quality material. From this slops came to designate particularly cheap, ready-made garments of any type. Spanish slops were the trunk hose made fashionable in Spain in the second half of the sixteenth century, Dutch slops, the Dutch or German pluderhosen of these years and the early seventeenth century, while small slops were plainer, less full breeches open at the knee. And This Dutch slop This is a slang for the type of wide leg pants that Moll was being fitted for by the taylor. The Oxford English Dictionary referred to the term slop as "to provide with slops or cheap ready made clothing" (1140 IV). This is a picture of Moll on the cover of the 1611 printed version wearing Dutch slop pants: Francois

I was looking at the photo of Bonney and Read. It accrued to me that. If I take the ties out of my Knee Breeches cut the seem out and let the legs hang they would look just like the pants in the photo. Is it possible this is the way straight leg pants evolved. Also if you cut the leg up higher depending on the style or maker of the breeches you might get what look like slops. Just a thought. François

I was under the impression that the slops were used as work pants that went over a pair of breeches. This was so they didn't get there good breeches dirty or ruined. Also the slops had pitch tar or wax on them so that when in poor conditions they would not get wet and prevent the sailor from getting wet. They are open wide at the bottom so that the sailor can climb the rate lines with ease. This I can verify from experience. I had a pair of slops that were too narrow and they tore right up the middle as I climbed. My other pair that were much wider worked perfect. So from what I know they were more for practical use and not fashion. François

Ive decided to start making my own guns. The reason is for cost. If a kit has good quality parts go for it. Check out these sites. Ive also included some early match locks, and a sit of minitures. Francois tennessee valley manufacturing technical video rental the rifle shoppe track of the wolf matchlock craftsman ship museum.

This is were I'm going to get all of my hats from now on. This guy makes hats from beaver pelt and puts in a linen lining with a leather tab for the for head. They may seem a little pricy, I thought the same when I looked at his site. Keep in mind these are all hand made to fit just you. I got a chance to meet the gent and try on a verity of his hats they are outstanding. He hade a GAOP Tri-corn that was waxed it was fantastic. He had from the simple tri-corn to the very fancy. He had some cavalier hats wow it was great stuff. His blanks are very thick and shape very nice also. François Dirty Billys Hats

I guess this will make it official since I'm putting it in writing. It is with great regret that I will not be going this year . I cant stand to even think about not going. Especially considering the fact I found a place to call home with the St. Barbara Gun crew. Hawkyns will ya fire the guns to the east one day so I know your Thinking about me Then maybe raise a bucket of gunners punch in hopes that next year good fortune will let us be there next year. Francois I hope you all dont mind my posting some photos of past years. It might make me fell a little better about not being able to go. In this one Im the fifth one from Hawkyns if'n ya count Hawkyns as one. In camp making charges for the next round of bangs. In charge of me own gun crew and proud of it.

I say that is a fine looking Sparrow hat. Your whole set up is very well done. My I ask (with out sounding like a thread counter). Is the hat a leather hat or a period correct hat (waxed over beaver pelt). I was at a Rev War event this past weekend and the vendors there had some outstanding stuff. One was a hatter who made period correct hat out of beaver pelt. Including, what was a GAOP sailors tricorn as I stated above. Check it out this guy he makes some fine hats and well worth the price. François Dirty Billys Hats

I was wondering. Would anybody know were I could find some good information on how to make my own blunderbuss wood sock. Patterns and some authentic info on a sea service blunderbuss would be very helpful. I cant find anything that gives me enough info to even get started. I found a site for hardware. Cant find a good site for barrels. That's about it. Thanks in advance François

I had to post this one. Avery dear friend of mine acquired this Frock from the 2003 movie Peter Pan. I was allowed the pleasure to get my photo with while we were at an Revolutionary War re-enactment event last weekend. I will also include a photo of Captain Hook who wore it in the movie. Check out the detail. François http://

Nice to see I dont stand alone. Although being full of meself and being meself could be company enough. I guess? Francois

My money is on all of us. Ring in if you think your full of yourself as a Pyrate or in any other period of reenactment. My family tells every one that I am so full of myself when it comes to my reenactment . Always talking about it. Always carrying photos around to show, well anyone. What could I say I have to agree. So I'm willing to bet most of you guys are too and you know it. Or am I alone on this one. François

I havent been on line in about a month. I just saw this posting. I know the dead line has past, If you guys dont mind Id like to enter the contest. I just recently changed my signature and all though I liked the other one I thought this new one I made was kinda cool. If I cant enter my vote is for Hawkyns. Francois

Ok I'm in for a few reasons. 1-my cholesterol is in the mid to high 300's. From what I understand on a bar graph that's labeled heart-a-tack. 2-I'm about 18-20 pounds over weight. Not so worried about what number or what I weigh just concerned about how I look in the mirror and how may thin cloths fit. Oh yea and my physical well being. 3-I need to tone up my man boobs. 4-I ran into Scupper yesterday and he told me he was trying to loss weight. (stop drinking coke scup, Cafine free diet coke) So I figured I can kick him in the you know what to keep him motivated and he could do the same for me. Paisley I had singed up but I didn't sign up in the group. I don't know how to change that. Do you know how I can be added to the group? I need to find a fat pic to post François

One of my self taught trades is restoring antique and classic cars. I learned to restore the trim molding on the vehicles such as the stainless steel and aluminum. Since I had all the supplies equipment and 20 years of practice I decided to do swords and my flintlocks. the metal is all very workable. I can make a rust pitted blade look brand new. I can also make any brass parts look new. The way I do it is by first taking it all apart. I have high speed buffing machines and use bars of jewelers rouge. there are many different rouges for many different applications. This also goes for the buffing wheels. If the metal is pitted then sanding is involved. When finished I apply different products depending on what the blade is use for. If it is a wall hanger urethane clear coat goes on it. This protects the metals and wont change the bright work of the metal. If its just a side arm for show only I use collinite wax it is a pure wax used for cars. it goes on light is long lasting and brightens the metal. For fighting blades I use the same wax on the hilt and oil on the blade. The oil I use is the oil that's used for oiling pneumatic tools. Its heavier than wd-40 but lighter than 2 in one oils. on my guns I use that same oil. Although I have to agree with Hawkyns if its showing natural wear let it go. He could testify that there are many seasons I tend to let my weapons go longer than I sometimes should. Sorry for being so long winded. Francois

We had discussed religion at one point and it made me wonder. How do you think Pyrates celebrated Christmas? Did they follow the traditions of their roots? Did they make up their own traditions? Did they ignore it all together? Did they drink themselves drunk till they passed out? Any guesses are welcome but more so Id like to know if there is any documented proof. And while were at it. What about New Years? Francois

Capt. Morgan Thank you for the complement. I may go back this spring to pick up more. I also agree with you about the 17th Century trading of goods. Francois

The photos arnt great. It gives you an idea of what I was talking about. This is me and my son.

Hi Jack, I had the same problem. Although a simple linen is appropriate and easy to come by I wanted something in silk with a pattern. For a year and a half I looked around and had no luck. I came close once when I found some silk scarf's in a museum gift shop but didn't like the colors. Two summers ago I was at Plymouth Mass and walked into a store with goods from India they had at least 40 different types of silk patterned scarf's that you see the Indonesian and Packastanian women wear they are a square shape and slightly bigger than 30 inch square. anyway If you find a store or web site that sells silk scarf's for women of that culture you might find what your looking for. François I can post a photo of what I have if you would like

If your looking for a historically correct sword and want it blunt it can be done. There are many dealers selling repros that are very nice and reasonably cheap $64.00 plus or minus. Just do a search for pirate cutlass or cutlass swords. If it comes in as a sharp or with out a stage combat ready blade you can take out the sharp edge by grinding it down and fileing it. As a rule of thumb when we make our combat blades we take a radius of a dime and cut down the tip to that. Also check out ebay you might find something there. François

Thanks for sharing mates. Mike I think ill do without the bleeding to make me feel well. I'm not fond of the site of blood. Especially when its mine. Oh and as for the sanitation well lets just say I wouldn't want to get caught by the authorities. I could use to lose a few pounds so Ill take the period diet. François

I would have to agree with Dorian. I have tried Flash paper myself and it works fine. Just make sure you know how to store it and handle it with the use of black powder. You can also use small wads of thin tissue paper it will burn up just as fast. Francois By the way Dorian we missed you at pennsic this year. I brought my cutlass's with me this year to do some off site live steel fighting with you. That of which we talked of last year.

Nice Stuff. I like the sea chest they are selling the plans for. I almost bought one just like it at Pennsic. They wanted $300.00. I figured I would try to make one on my own this winter. That will make it easer if I get the plans. The bell ropes are great. I never saw such a variety. Thanks for the site. François