Gentleman of Fortune

Actually, PH isn't fooling me.

He Knows his kit is hot, and he looks Really Good in it.... Bland or not!

There are probably only a handful of folks even attempting to put that kit together.

Mr Hand has done it, and done it outstandingly.

And don't think that for a moment you would be happy in some Joseph technicolor dream-pirate-coat either.

Bland? With that Red Cap? yougottabekidding me.

Well done Sir (but you already KNOW that!

GoF

Pm'd you "THE" Wench

GoF

Patrick

Eons ago (it seems) I sent you a linen sheet that was hand sewn (I believe) and made up of about 20 pieces of linen.

Did you ever make anything out of it, or have you used it "as is"?

Just curious!

GoF

Mission:

Those are great Photos... If I ever get around to updating my GOF site, I'd love to use them.

if that is ok...

?

I still have most of this stuff... and more linen.

I'll make a proper update later... but if you want to make me an offer before hand, let me know.

GoF

Captain Midnight Finally contacted me.

A little communication went a long way. Case Closed as far as I am concerned.

SOLD - Pending Payment

If anyone has a clothing making business and wants it all, I am willing to make a deal.

Besides, you need to get yourself something for Christmas.

Good to see this is still going after... 4... 5 years now?

Kudos

GoF

Wow!

The event seems to get better and better every year. I am amazed by the collective attention to details.

I doff my floppy hat to all of you.

Isreal Cross looks great... I am digging the stitching on the inside of his short jacket...

Smokin'

Bump... still got most of the stuff

Dang....

Nice collection.

I have always liked that painting...

sigh...

I have some gold, and some silver metallic braid that is at least 100 years old. The story that I got when I bought it was that the family had owned a tailor shop from about 1850 - 1910. The shop was closed and stuff stored in the attic after that. When Oma and Opa died, the grandchildren sold it all lock stock and barrel to a local antique shop around the corner. (this is all in Bavaria, Germany where I live.

I tried selling some of it a while back... but there are very few folks interested in such things...

If you might be one.... send me a PM and I'll shoot you some pics. If you are very interested, I'll send you some samples.

Cheers

GoF

I think civilian belts would be much smaller...

Like less than an inch wide. I had a good number of original buckles... now in the hands of Michael Bagley. I had one that looked exactly like the Arnish Moor buckle.

These buckles, or this buckle style was used well over 100 years... though the size changed.

The military ones seem to be larger, but the civilian ones can be quite small... smaller than you would think would be logical for a belt. I think there is a thread around here somewhere where this was discussed and I posted some period pics...

Good luck.

Here is my Short Jacket Page

http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/Jacket.htm

I will agree with the statement that they were considered tools... and may not have been thought of "to carry" around. That is, grab it when you need it, do what you have to with it, then stick it back.

There are very few surviving example from the 1675-1720 period. The ones that we know of that were made for the purpose of being a boarding axe, actually had handles quite long. The Dutch 1675 had a 38" handle, the Swedish Boarding Axe from the 1704 period describes a boarding axe with a 38" handle.

That being said... axes of all types were being shipped to the Americas as trade items with the Indians. One of the wrecks from the periods (the name and date escape me) had barrels full of axe heads. If a pirate seized a ship with axes on board... wouldn't be too hard to acquire one.

I think that the best carry method would be in your belt, for as little time as possible.

The Quarter Master raising an interesting question... If Boarding Axes were ship's equipment, then it wouldn't belong to an individual sailor... of course, pirate ships might be different, but I would imagine that there was still somebody responsible for ships equipment.... They do get paid extra after all.

Wow...

I haven't been a regular poster here in months... and the first time i check it out I see there is an authenticity thread going... again.

Those who have been on this forum awhile will already know where my personal kit allegiances are, but I think that realistically, "Pirate" re-enacting has the "system" already licked, without realizing it.

With Pirate you have:

Pure Fantasy

Attempted Historical

The in-Betweens

That is a perfect set up if you ask me. The historical group can have their own camp and do their historical thing when needed/required.

Folks that got into it for fun, still have a place to call home, and can see what is going on and decided if they want to become more historical (and become in-betweeners en-route), or just enjoy the craziness as is.

I have been at it for awhile, and have decided that we just all have to get along and enjoy the diversity. We can't be the patron saint of re-enacting and force our will on anybody. If "historical" is you bag, those that are into the history will gravitate towards you, unless you are a prick. Lead by example, and be a good person to all.

Think about it... Yes, its cool to have times when you get that "time travel" feeling by being historical..

yeah, I am into that. But when the historical "gig" is over, isn't it fun to drink RUM PUNCH with Jack Sparrow Sing Bawdy songs written 200 years after the Golden Age, and have a drunk belly dancer fall in your lap?

Its all good... just do your own thing (whatever it is) well.

GoF

Just curious if everyone who ordered a Cartridge Box from CM got it. Its been eons ago, but I struck up a trade, sent my part of the bargain off... and never received my box.

After a few months, I got the customary "I've been so busy..." e-mail, but that has to be 2 years ago.....

Hey, I am a patient guy, but 2 + years? I PM'd a few weeks ago... NADA.

I just want the monetary value of the trade items I sent out... that is all.

Hey, Captain Midnight... $60 please.

and SOLD, to the man with the peg leg and eye patch!

On hold. Pending Payment

Pm'd ya!

It's absolutely beautiful! I'm sorry you have to part with it.

If I had the money lying around, it would be sold by now.

That said, I am going to see what I can beg, borrow, or steal.

I advise anybody here who is interested and who also has ready cash at hand to not dawdle!

Memory grows thin; from whom did you commission the blade again?

Its with much regret and heavy heart that I must sell my Hanger.

It took about 3 years to get this sword, from assembling the parts to being on the waiting list, to actually receiving it, about three weeks ago.

Its expensive.

That being said, in my humble opinion, its the quintessential GAoP sword. Swords/Hangers of this type first started to come on the scene in the 1680s. While their source is unknown, they appear in contemporary paintings as early as 1665

While there are several known styles, the reoccurring theme is raised dragons and abstract designs.

One of the more simple designs, dates to the end of the 17th century and incorporates three cast brass pieces (grip-pommel halves and knuckle bow). The rectangular grip has scalloped finger grooves.

If you have a copy of Swords and Blades of the American Revolution, this is an exact copy of sword 8.S

Here is a painting that depicts this style of swords and dates to 1695

Even Blackbeard is shown in contemporary artwork with this style of sword

Originals do not come up often (And boy did I ever search for one) and if they did, it would probably sell for big $$$. This commissioned replica is an exact copy and comes complete with period leather scabbard.

Sword and Scabbard Blade 24.5" Single Fuller

Detail of Grip

Grip Back Detail

I realize that this sword ain't for everyone, but for those of you who want just that little bit more... this will be perfect.

SOLD

For sword belts, I would err on the side of "thinner". The french belt ensamble seems to be fairly large, but pictures of non soldier private purchase type belts are rather skinny. I think you could make a case for any belt 3/4" - 1" wide.

Here are a few period examples.

Admiral Jennings 1709

Bendbow 1701

Howel Davis

Just my two cents, your mileage may very

GoF

I agree with Blackjohn. The rifleshop has the lock... but you are talking a pricey piece when its all said and done. There was a really cool Handmortar for sale a while back made by B Coogle that had the miquelet lock...

smokin!

I'll echo Gordon

I believe that a ship of the period would have any number of signal flags or country flags on board already. So when a "pirate" flag was needed, it "could" be fashioned out of available flag material on board. Foxe has posted pirate flag data before, and they all were not black with skull and x bones... some were yellow, green, red etc. These colors would be available on an ocean going ship.

For my own "personal" flag, I am cannibalizing wool flags. Hope to post it when its ready.

GoF

I am gloating a little, please forgive...

I had a really cool Dutch Hanger made by Old Dominion Forge that was unreal. There are still pic on my site. I sold it last fall to fund other projects, and while I was hesitated a bit to sell it, I at leas knew that I had another custom blade on order, that would take the sting out of parting with my Dutch Hanger.

I put the order in (that is, got on the waiting list) in 2007. With an estimated delivery date of Summer 09.

Well, summer 09 is right around the corner, and the maker has sent pictures of the sword in progress, so I thought I'd share.

To me, this is the quintessential GAoP sword, as it was only made (the style anyway) from around 1680-1720. There is a "period" picture of Black Beard, and the hanger he is carrying is this style. Plus, there are pictures of Admiralty types with these at their sides.

Too cool

Close up of grip/hilt

Yeahh Baby!