Gentleman of Fortune

Well.... I am fairly good at providing constructive critisism of somebodies pirate kit... does that count? GoF

I think we are waiting for the dust to settle around Kass's move and now the Holidays. I would trudge on with the shirt project myself, but since Kass has offered to do a period sewing techniques class prior, and can even be coerced to run the shirt class, I am more than willing to wait for her! Also, this could be a dry run for a Coat making class. Kass's company is coming out with some Justaucorps patterns in the first quarter of 06 and I can't wait to see them! GoF

OK, I will play..... http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/Links.htm and under their respective areas in the middle of the page http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/sailorskit.htm GoF

Egad! I hope it isn't the raw silk type! I think there is a post in here somewhere where we discussed it so search for raw silk and you should find it. Nutshell What we think of "raw silk" the stuff with the slubs was not available then as it is more recently popluar. The shinny stuff, silk in an atlas weave should be fine. Also, For the time period we are talking about, hand kerchiefs are fine and those would be perfect. The hand stamped calico from Calico Jack would be my first choice... Becuase it IS what it is exactly supposed to be. An authentic Hand Kerchief. My two cents GoF

Ok this is way off topic... but Harbor Master, from the few pictures of yourself posted above.... You look like/remind me of Tom Berringer circa Platoon. Of course, you need some scarring but now every time I see a post from you that is what pops into my head. GOF

BIlly BOnes What are you making the flags out of? I am trying to find a source for 100% wool bunting for flags but have not had any luck. If you got a source... please share! GoF

I think what is throwing off the unbelievers is that there is no evidence that there ever was any timbers, coconut matting, etc etc. Did someone go through there over 100 years ago and clean the place up so thoroughly that there is not even a coconut molecule left? gof

Gregory Hugh (first and middle name) GOF

Technically you are right.... All I was doing though was proving the Frappr link for those who check in and hate to scroll around looking for the link. So call it what you want. http://www.frappr.com/pyracypub BUMP

Here is a 1759 Sea Service Pistol with hook http://www.ken-drake.com/edge_sea_service_pistol.htm A 1796 SS pistol with hook http://www.kahnfineantiques.com/index.cfm?...m?page=7&Id=543 others? gof

Interesting thread. My DSL has been out so once again I am late to the party. It seems that there is some evidence for use of the Belt Hook before the GAoP and after. I am curious about the Gilkerson Sea Service pistol and the hook. When did the sea service model first come into use? I thought that "official" Sea Service pistols were post GAoP. Also, is it possible that hooks were added after GAoP? Have any of the Period ship salvage teams (Wydah, QAR or others) found pistols with belt hooks on them? I know lots of pistols have been recoverd, from w1690-1725 wrecks, but I have not seen anything that would suggest the pistols had this clip on them. Again, I am not saying that they didn't exist during GAoP, but I hope we could get some positive Naval use for the period. It seems that it makes too much sense for it not to be the standard, yet the historical record that we have looked at so far doesn't seem like it was the norm. I would imagine though, that given the green light, we will see wide spread use in the Pirate Living History community. GoF

Put pirate pete down for one copy. GoF

http://www.frappr.com/pyracypub bump

Well you are up to 5 now... so you have already quintoupled the output of most hit and run authors! Now if you would just go to the pub and by a round..... GoF

oh.... your back. My comment is directed at those folks who join forums with the sole purpose of promoting their product(s). Most folks who join, add to the discussion, and become regular participants, usually start by posting an introduction in the Initiation rites... forum. of course, only time will tell, but you are 3 for 3 right now. ps its grosgrain silk, not velvet. but thanks for looking!

I am a cynical bastard…. I will grant you that. But I am always amazed that folks join this board (and others) and their first post is trying to sell us something. (and they NEVER seem to fill out their profile either) I kind of wonder, if they really were interested in Pirates stuff, wouldn’t they have joined the board like years ago and have been contributing all along? Maybe even get some input from a community that spends a lot of thier time studying, researching and actively participating in living history, faire, re-enacting etc.. Of course its hard to know anyone’s motivation for anything but do book marketing folks say…. “ok, we got your book, now our advertising budget is $52. I suggest you get out there and join as many bulletin boards and forums as you can. Now granted, this place is as good as any to find folks that are interested in Pirate fact and fiction, but to come to the party so late seems just so, gauche.

Brief overview of buttons for GAoP http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/period_materials.htm It depends on how much you want to spend. "Period" buttons from GGGodwin, Jas Townsend and the like are $0.50 > $1.00 each. If the coat is a ren-faire coat that will mainly be used for a festival, then get the cheapest buttons that you think are cool. If its for historical interpretation, you are going to need period buttons. One easy (and cheap) way is to make cloth covered buttons using remanents of the material you made the coat with. Get some wood molds (dome shaped wood about 20-22mm in diameter, cut out a circle of fabric and gather and sew together on back. If you go to a well stocked hardware store, you might be able to find wooden domed shaped discs that are used to hide wood screws. Those will work and are cheap. I got a hardwood dowel, and cut and shaped mine. Good Luck

Calico itself is period for GAoP... the trouble is finding the right calico for GAOP. The stuff they sell at JoAnnes fabric and other fabric stores under Calico is not right for us. The links provided about have good info on period Calico. I keep expecting to see something interesting from our friend Patrick Hand... anything in the works? GoF

John.... I think that glasses are one of the tough areas. If everyone who had glasses was wearing 1727 style, I don't think there is a problem. But you normally see a wide variety of styles that date from the 1930s to modern and I think that gives the overall impression of the group a kick in the groin. I think the best thing is to just say, "Hey, for $35 you could get a pair of frames that at least are within 5-10 years of the GAoP." I am trying to find a source to make the Nuremburg Style of templeless glasses. But even I had them made and "GAVE THEM AWAY" i don't think the GAOP communtity would adopt them. GoF

Duchess.... Glasses without temple arms reappear in the mid 19th century as fashionable eyewear and these are the pince nez glasses. From the antiquespectacles.com site GoF

IF you gotta see... than you gotta see! My eyesight is pretty bad, but not bad enough that I can't see without my glasses, so I don't wear them when I am in kit. I would love to get lazik surgery done... one of these days. I think its best to go with the JAS Townsend glasses... even though they date to 1727. The public will probably not know, but because they are unsual, you might get asked by the public about them. I would have no problem saying... This type of glasses came into being at the very end of the GAOP and would have been very expensive to a sailor.... yada yada yada. Hats of to Boats for making the attempt! GoF

Montery Jack calicojacks.freehomepage.com has some really interesting things. My guess is that their main focus is on F&I, Rev war and Rondesvouz. I have contacted them last summer and they say they can make appropriate calico for early 18th C as well.... so I am thinking about getting some material and making a waistcoat. The question for me is the backing material... So lets first consult the Fabric Bible (Textiles in America 1650-1870 by Florence M Montgomery) She quotes Rolt's Mid 18th Century dictionarys entry on Calico as: I don't think that it was the color or patterns of material that caused the ban, but the importation of a cheap cotton cloth caused the prohibition that only served to make them more desirable. To meet the demand and to get around the ban, UK manufacturers used fustian (linen warp and cotton weft) or imitated the prints on linen. She has American refrences for Calico in inventories dating to 1677-78 "shirts and plain talbecloathes". A refrence to WHITE CALICO used in bed curtains and chair covers, "2 pair white calico curtains". Lots of entries for calico garmets in the entries of Margrita van Varick, "nightgowns, neckcloths, aprons, quilted waistcoats, both white and flowered petticoats, handkerchiefs and "clouts". Your link has a really good history of Calico: http://calicojacks.freehomepage.com/shopping_page.html This source for calico is a good one, but the trouble for me is what the background material is made from. For some of their prints they are using "100% cotton". While this sounds good, the reality is that 17th/early 18th century "cotton" is not like what we go to the fabric store and buy today so I would shy away from that. I do have some 120 year old hand woven cotton that probably resembles hand woven 18th century cotton, that I have been thinking that I would send them and have them work their majic... That being said, I also have about 30 meters of Hand woven linen that would probably print up nicely and end up resembling the type of calicoes that were available in England to get around the ban. Decisions Decisions....... GOF

This discussion was stuck over in Rabble Rousing and I am restarting here (because that is just the kind of guy I am) The topic was turning to appropriate Calico clothing when Foxe and Montery Jack were writing Montery Jack Responded GOF

As to my Pirate.... Probably Major Bonnet. A real want-to-be without much nautical skill. He might NOT have know how to BE the best pirate, but he certainly knew how to LOOK like one! (see the similartity? ) GoF

Burried in here is an interesting topic on Calico Clothing, I am going to start a new thread in Twill about Calico so if you want in on that discussion come over to the Twill Forum... GoF