Gentleman of Fortune

Now I realize that once you hit the "create post" button, the cat is out of the bag and you loose control of the content of the thread.... but.... The topic wasn't really what are the top 10 items in your kit?, but more along the lines of Here are 10 things that someone new to pirate re-enacting should focus on when they are assembling their pirate impression.... But I find it interesting the things that are carried by the fine folks that frequent this establishment.... :) GoF

Captain Jack Russel... Where in Germany are you? I am near Wurzburg (PLZ 97252). GoF

Capn Bo... No, I didn't take offense at all. As I said earlier... you "new guys" are adding quite a lot here..... THANKS! GoF

Wow... we have gone from one glossy pirate mag to two in just 30 days! I wish luck to both parties, and will be checking out my news stand for the premier issue. For those folks that just cant wait, try No Quarter Given. Its simple but its nice to get in the mail. GoF

I think that Harbor Master and I have/had the same interpretation! GoF

First off... I'd like to say that there has been a recent (in the last month or so) and influx of really great members to this board. That is not to say that they all agree with me or anything, but this latest crop does seem to listen, research and post meaningfull information/opinions. So, welcome again all of you! Back to the posts.... Capn Bos comments on my post about leather and wool in the tropics... I didn't meant to imply that they didn't wear wool, But If there is a picture or watercolor of a Buccaneer with a Justaucorps, than I think I missed it. When they are wearing wool, it seem to be either a short jacket style coat or some sort of smock. Tall Paul. Thanks for doing the extra bit of research on the coat. I Google Imaged Buff Coat and got those pictures I posted earlier. Other tinkering around on the web led me to one that was from a German Museum but dated to around 1730... I will look again to see if I can find it. Because the one I posted is of leather, and is closer in designs to other buff coats of the 17th century, I am pretty sure that is what it is. It just happens to have full skirts (which would be important for use on horseback) and have turn-back cuffs as well. So, If I were going to make something out of leather, I would make it like that buff coat, but use it in the context of a highwayman as it more than likely has an equestrian pedigree. Whatever you make though, I am sure it will be interesting. GoF

and the problem with an a waxed wool felt hat that looks exactly like you want is...................................? GoF

Ok... I have been doing a little more research on Monmouth hats. I also figured out why Kirsty Bucklands seem so expensive. Aparently, the original hat was made with a real chunky fat 2-ply yarn. And it was knitted on US size 10 or Euro 6mm Needles. The stitch count is roughly 2 1/2 per inch or 1 every cm. Most modern interpretations seem to be made with thinner commercial yarn which means that you get more stitches per inch than the original. Checking around for proper hand spun/hand dyed 2-ply wool yarn... Wow its expensive. I think you need about 120 Yards to make a hat. And correct yarn prices seem to be $15-30 for that amount. Or Does anyone have a source for 100% wool yarn 2-ply bulky that will do 2 .5 stitches per inch on #10 needles??? Please share! GoF

I went to "The Original Reenactor Market in the UK last weekend. LOTS of cool stuff. My wife only gave me 50 quid to spend though (probably smart on her part) so I only came back with 1 Kirsty Buckland Monmouth Hat ($38) 4.5 Meters of 100% silk grosgrain ($35) 15 Brass buttons ($5) I was thinking about making my Pattern #702 out of Grosgrain, but I think I am going to get the early Justaucorps pattern and use the Grosgrain for that.... hmmmm... GoF

Yes... a tun is 2 Pipes (a pipe is 2 hogsheads) or 252 gallons GoF

That is an interesting question.... Its difficult because the containers were based of of volume that they contained, not size of the container. (Did that make sense?) So as long as it held 36 gallons, it was considered a Barrel, if it was only 9 gallons, it was a Firkin. Beer Volume Standard Measurements 1 Pin = 4.5 Gallons 1 Firkin = 2 Pins = 9 Gallons 1 Kilderkin = 2 Firkins = 18 Gallons 1 Barrel = 2 Kilderkins = 36 Gallons 1 Hogshead = 6 Firkins = 54 Gallons 1 Puncheon = 2 Barrels = 72 Gallons 1 Butt = 2 Hogsheads = 108 Gallons I have only seen refrences to volume, not size of the container. Here are more dry and wet weight English measures http://www.footrule.com/1/conversn/oldengu...r=homepage&ac=0 It also kind of depends what time frame as well. For GAoP, I am pretty sure that they were still using wood bands and not iron around a barrel. Are you going to be ships cooper? GoF

Did you check out Harbor Master's link to Excaliber hats? They seem to have what you say you looking for... antiqued brown hat... You might contact them dirctly to see if they can make modifications as to color etc. Also, if you really want a "Jack-Sparrow-hat-but-it-doesn't-have-to-be-a-Jack-Sparrow-hat", you might have to do some modifications yourself... Try google "waxed leather" or Leather wax and get something like this http://www.marmotmountain.com/MMWmain.asp?...tyleID=10007798 and do the waxing yourself. Since working with felt and working with leather are two different things, I can understand Capt Jack's reluctance to take on the venture... Good Luck though. GoF

Hmmmm.... The problem with that is... the few pictures that we have of period buccaneers, they seem to be wearing less clothing, rather than more. I can't imagine wearing a wool justaucorps in the caribbean, let alone a leather one. My two cents? I would make it as close to the original example or one of the buff coats as possible. That way, you have documentation, and if you ever want to sell it, you would have a wider audience to buy it. Good luck all the same GoF

Yes... but I see what your saying. The one above though seem more "justaucorps" like than "buff coat" like... the turn back cuffs are unusual for a ECW buff coat.. no?. So, its pretty long, has turnback cuffs, and is at least attributed to 1700 (until we find out otherwise?) Here are some other buff coats... As I said in the above post... I don't believe it to be a "fashionable" justaucorps, but more of a utilitarian garment. So, its probably a riding coat of some sort. Still, it shape is close to that of a justaucorp of the GAoP period. I am not ready to dismiss Kohler just yet. But if someone IS going to make one out of leather.... here is an example to go by. Paul... did you go to TORM? What is up with the UKpirate yahoo group? GOF

I just bought a Monmouth Hat made by the famed Kirsty Bukland. Its really nice... I paid about $36 dollars as it was in the UK and the dollar to pound exchange rate sucks... Some may balk at that price for a knit hat.... but remember: 1) Kirsty Buckland is probably the world's authority on historical knit hats. You pay a premium for her fingers to do the knitting. and 2) Its made entirely of hand spun and hand died %100 pure sheeps wool. You can make it out of Jo Anne's knitting wool, but even their %100 wool looks kind of funky as its machine processed and the dye is so consistant. Most of the commercially available wools are merino which is a liitle too fine and soft for knit hats... So, correct yarn is going to set you back at least $6-$10 anyway. Cheaper monmouths can be found. Check my website and follow the links to Hats/Tricorn for more info. GoF

Since the "season" for playing pirate is only a few month away, now is the time to get started on your kit! GoF

Interesting.... and thanks for posting the link to Johnson online! Too bad we can only speculate what clothes they took..... GoF

Actually, your request is not as bizarre as its sounds. Its pretty close though! Here is a picture of one that is Dated 1700. Its from the book A History of Costume by Carl Kohler. Unfortunately, he doesn't offer much more info than the photo's description which dates it and says its made of Elk Skin. I don't think its the one Cpn Sterling mentioned as there is no embroidery or embelishment of any kind. That would make two refrences... I am not sure what the application would be for this coat, as its not fancy, I would find it hard to believe that it was "fashionable", probably more utilitarian for riding... But, as you said, you are going to do it anyway... so at least we can document it (see, we are not as hard assed as everyone believes!) It would be great for a Highwayman impression. With the right bucket boots, it could look cool. GoF

First off.... WoW! Reconstructing History (RH) has really done their homework on the Justaucorps and it shows. The retail price on this pattern is $25, so some of you that are used to paying 99 Cents for a simplicity pattern might balk at the cost, but for what you get, its a real bargain! The pattern comes with: 1) Booklet on the History of the Justaucorps This is an outstanding piece and makes the info on my website pale in comparison. The kicker here is that RH includes line drawings and museum refrence numbers for 5 extant garments. From "Lord Clapham" dolls to the Sligo, Ireland Bog Find are detailed in this packet. RH covers the sizes, number of buttons, and construction details on the original examples. The booklet concludes with a bibliography. 2) Frock Coat instructions This includes the layout of your pattern, materials needed, and instructions for various ways of making your coat. There are tips for completely handsewing, completely machine sewing, or mixtures of both. The instructions are litered with refrences to period details and "period options" for making your coat. The booklet concludes with two pages that diagram period stitches (fell stitch, blanket stitch, etc) 3) 2 Full size pattern sheets 4) Materials list and sizing chart. For Authentic and Fantasy re-enactors alike, this is what we have been waiting for. Even if I never start on a coat, it was well worth the money for the refrences and to help get a better understanding of how these garments are made. If you want a coat that will look like you stepped out of a time machine or period painting, this is the one to get. PS I have no connection with the manufactures of this pattern and I paid full retail price to get it. PPS Cant wait to get started, and I will add more as I work on my coat! GoF

until i read christine's post, i never wanted to make a woman cry..... gof

Thanks Foxe... I think what I am getting at though is, would something like the above press be good for GAoP, or would any shape biscuit be ok? I really like that press.... GoF

I have always wanted to date a blonde or a red head, where the carpet matched the drapes..... gof

While I was typing the above post... this came in my mailbox This was the extra photo by the way GoF

I hear you Foxe.... but I think what Pete is saying is that He has seen too many pictures of boots in the eras around the GAoP to give up on them being worn by sailors during the GAoP. He is on the cusp of realization though.... softly softly.... he will fall in! Now I know some of you are thinking that Foxe and I are broken records here, that or just "a" holes. We are not trying to be though. Its just a different approach. Basically its a "don't wear it until you can proove it" approach.... as opposed to a "wear it until I find out otherwise" approach. GoF

Don't think i am holding out on you.... I can only go as fast as the shoe maker... no sample yet... will post it when i get it! Gof