Gentleman of Fortune

What has been posted is indeed sold. I am about halfway through the linens though, and have some more to post.

Also, I have some really crunchy wools that I will post this weekend. I have lots of blanket weight wool, grosgrain wool, and medium weight stuff that is righteous!

Watch this space!

SOLD Someone bought in the whole shebang.

SOLD - PENDING PAYMENT

THANKS

I have recently posted the Linens and Silks on another forum, and honestly, its moving much faster over there.

But, to be fair to my Pirate Brethren, I still will offer the things for sale here First.

I have a ton a stuff... really. And I have decided for 2009 that I would get rid of everything that can't fit into one small suitcase.... As traveling to events is difficult as I live in Europe.

I had visions of Grandeur, and pictured myself setting up a "table" at PIP and selling antique fabrics, high quality weapons, and original items....

That ain't going to happen.

So the end of 2008 and the first part of 2009 will have me setting up my virtual shop and I will be getting rid of it. Remember though, I am selling it, not giving it away. Most of the prices are cheaper than where you could find it elsewhere... The problem though is "where" do you find it elsewhere? So, if the prices seem high, its probably a realistic reflection of its rarity and quality.

I have metallic threads, original buttons (from 15th -19 centuries), Original equipment buckles, Original Belt Buckles, Original Shoe bukcles, and really good stuff from other periods that are no longer made but still can be used for 17th/18th centuries.

First up

Braids

Here is the story:

I was at an Antique market a few years ago and found a guy who was selling the contents of his grandparents cellar (Here in Germany, old stuff is stored in the basement or "keller" so the German equivalent to an "Attic Find" is a Keller Find).

Anyway, his Grandparents had the remnants of the Family Tailor shop. The shop had been in the family for a hundred years or so and it was closed in the 1910s. He said (the grandson) that they had made uniforms for the military during the Franco Prussian War and had also made the finery for Catholic Ceremonial Dress.

The stuff he had was amazing, and I bought what I could from him. The below braids are at least 100 years old as that is when the shop closed. They could be more than that but who knows?

Braids and Trims were highly fashionable during the 17th and 18th Centuries. Often, as re-enactors, we try to replicate the fancy clothes, but due to the lack of quality reproduction trims, our clothing goes unadorned. Here is a chance to make those button holes "pop" or give a special bit of flair to that dress!

Metallic Braids available today are usually mylar or some other sort of synthetic material. Normally, even the most basic of the braids are $4 a yard.

I am selling this in the quantities that they are... that is, I can't cut you 2 yards. I am getting rid of it as a "Unit".

A: Silver Braid 15mm Wide x 2.5 meters (2.7 yards) SOLD

B: Silver Braid 7mm Wide x 18.8 meters (20 yards) $95

When I got this, it was still in the original wrapper like "F". I have the original label and it says 7mm x 19 meters. I have maybe used 8" of it since I had it, mostly as samples (if you were in the round of pirate sketch books with me, you should have a sample in your book!) So basically, you have almost 20 yards of Authentic real metallic Antique Braid. If any online living history shop had this, it would be $20 a yard.

C: Silver Braid 7mm wide 5 meters (5.4 Yards) long $35

D: Gold Braid 10mm Wide x 25 Meters. $125

Same story as B. It was still in original wrapping when I got this. I still have the label, and again, only used a few inches of this as samples. Really nice stuff, and 25 METERS (27.3 Yards). This is priced at about $5 a yard for 10 mm wide antique braid.

E: 2 x Gold and Blue Silk Braid 20 mm wide x 3 meters (3.2 Yards) $25 Each (both for $45)

I have two of these and they are 3 meters long each. There is a Royal Blue silk stripe down the center and is some really impressive braid. )

F: Gold Braid 7mm wide 25 Meters long (27.3 yards) $150

I had forgotten if it was silver or gold so I peeled back the edge of the wrapper to check. Otherwise, this certainly is NOS (New, Old Stock) Antique Metal Braid. It is just like "B" except it is gold and in the original wrapper

If anyone wants the whole shebang, I'll make a deal

Bump--- Got some interest on the other forum. Act fast!

If you are interested in any of these, let me know as I have listed them on other forums...

snooze n' loose!

What hasn't been said is that William Should have had the cap under his christmas tree... but I had a snafu and mis-sent it to Q James (who had actually ordered buckles), sent nothing to James, and got some guy on ebay mad at me because of my SNAFU.

Thanks to Q James for pulling my nuts out of the campfire. He is first rate all the way.

Thanks to William and Maeve for Patience, understanding and forgiveness

And hopefully, the eBayer who got a $100 item for .99 cents will cut me some slack too (his stuff should be there by now... 1 week late).

Wheeeewww!

Great Point

I agree with leading by example. I think that there is a natural progression in Re-enacting/living history. At first you do it just for fun, and with pirate, anything goes.

When you do that enough times, you start to see what other people have, and in conjunction, start doing your own research.

That is when the hook gets set... you start wanting more than "just enough garb to get by".

You see individual pieces that appeal to you, and then you run into folks like Pat Hand, Chloe Black, Michael B, and Captain Stirling, and go whooooaaaa!

Its hard to be 100%, but its fun to try to get there.

There is a friendly "one-upmanship" that pushes the authenticity boundaries further and further.

I know I have recounted this story before, but I and some friends, had toyed with the idea of doing pirate in the 90s. We had kicked around some ideas, but the final straw was going to a time-line living history event in Williamsburg, VA.

I can't remember what gear I was in at the time, but right by our camp walked Black John and his wife, and man they were decked out in "real" pirate stuff.... not the fantasy pirate clothes but what I had thought real pirates looked like.

That's when I made up my mind to take the plunge.

Now, I am sure Black John could tell you all the things that were wrong with his kit on that day, but the important thing is that we don't stay static in our pursuit. Black John has improved in the last 10 years, I have improved in the last 10 years, and the hobby has improved as well.

We need to nurture our pirate brethren (and sistren?) and help them get better, not berate them because they don't meet a particular standard.

And leading by example is one of the best tools available.

Here is a late 17th Century Version

Check out,

http://www.bandoliers.co.uk/bando/bando.htm

In the UK, but they have em'

GOF

overcome by events

GoF

PM replied to,

Some are now on HOLD pending payment!

GoF

Resuming

SR-5 $35 Silk (Rayon)

This is a piece of watered silk. I got it from the same estate sale as above. Its definitely vintage, cause modern moire/waterd' looks more machine patterned... this looks (to me) more 18th century. Waterd' silk (and other water'd fabrics) were made by pressing them between metal rollers that had a design on them. This is NOT silk... or at least, it doesn't burn like silk. When I test it, it comes out, to me anyway, as Rayon.

I could be wrong, but I will sell it as Rayon.

Its a light red.... not pink, but a light red, the pictures make it look darker than it is. Would make a cool Justaucorps.. but there is 4 2/3 yards by 42" so you can't be built like a linebacker... It would make a Righteous sleeveless waistcoat (with a back of linen!) under the justaucorps above....

hmmm.... if you buy the grosgrain silk, you can have the water'd piece for $20 otherwise, its $35

I have had this thread up for a while, and have sold a few things...

In the spirit of the "new year" and resolutions, I want to move this stuff out of the fabric closet.

I will do my best to describe the fabrics in detail. If it says "silk", its because i believe ti to be silk (using burn test, feel, etc) and that I bought it from a vendor who purported it to be 100% silk. If it aint' right, I'll tell you upfront, and I will even give you 5 days to decide upon receipt of fabric. I am not here to gyp anyone.

First the Silks and Fake silks

S1 $40 AVAILABLE

Royal Blue Silk

Its a darkish/purplish Royal Blue.

Would make a nice waistcoat or early style Justaucorps

S3 & S4 go as a set. $125

Its SILK Grosgrain. I looked all over for silk grosgrain. I found some purple and made my justaucorps out of it. My purple cost me about $75 a yard when I found it.

Here is some REALLY nice silk. Grosgrain is a heavy (for silk) fabric that has ridges. Its kind of like Corduroy (or faile silk) that was historically, very popular. They say "Grog" got its name from the captain inventor who always wore a grosgrain coat. Grosgrain could be silk, or wool (I have some wool grosgrain I will sell too... in a burnt orange). I bought it to make this early (1687) justaucorps.

Its another Royal Blue that is 4 2/3 yards x 56" I am selling it with the blood red piece that was made on a narrow loom. The red fabric is also grosgrain silk and is in two pieces 66" x 28" and 12" x 28". I bought it to do the cuffs... like in the picture. I paid 25 pounds sterling a yard... I would take $125 for the blue and the red together. I also *had* some vintage silver metal braid, like the stuff pictured above... but you may have to beg Mr Bagley for some of it after the 7th of Jan.

I also have a box of linens. Some hand woven old (100+ Years) stuff, some newer (from the 1940s-50s) but all great for Piratical Re-enacting use. And Many old wool blankets in pastel colors with a nice naval nap to them that would be great for short jackets.

I'll post that up over the next few days.

SOLD AS ONE LOT

L4 & L7

Shirt weight linen sheeting

This is a finer weave than the ones above. Would make nice shirts... one has some storage staining on it but it should clean up... but how clean is a pirate anyway?

L8

Medium weight linen

This is a cool but unusual piece. It is made up of three panels that are 30" by 3 1/3 yards. The panel are sewn together to form a single piece that is 90" wide (and 3 1/3 yrds long). Vintage sheeting can be made the same way. Smaller home style loomed stuff sewn together to make a wider piece... but they are usually 2 yards or under long. I don't know what it was for, but I know what it can be used for... Pirate Stuff. It may be hand woven on a small loom. The joining stich looks to be machine done... but an old machine. Plenty of medium weight fabric to use for lining, shirts, or ?

Coup de Gras

L9 Hemp/Linen 13+ yards x 28"

This is a 40 FOOT long piece of real crunchy hand woven hemp/linen. Its med/heavy weight and would be perfect for slops...

Slops for you or someone you really care about because this stuff is sturdy, strong, and over 100 years old. Hand woven antique hemp/linen...

How much more authentic can you get??? It was made on a narrow loom, 28" but its more than wide enough for slops or jacket panels. Be thrifty in your pattern cutting and you should get 3 or 4 slops out of it..

This is the same thing that is going for insane crazy prices on eBay http://tinyurl.com/5gcea6 . Its sometimes called hemp/linen but i don't have a way to determine the actual percentages of hemp or linen content.

Its legit and crunchy... The picture below is folded over 3x. I sold 7 yards of it a few months ago on eBay for $150.

Ask Pat Hand about it, I sent him some about a year or so ago... though it was a little lighter weight than this.

See posts above for more info, or go here for what I have up right now

http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/fabrics.html

SOLD AS ONE LOT

L2

Checked Shirt weight Linen.

If I could only find this in blue! Here is shirt weight linen. that has a real oatmealy colored natural background. This is checks as I think they should be... not that I want to start any arguments over fabric or anything....

Its new made stuff... I am not sure its available anymore, but you pay what i paid.

http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/images/L2-64.jpg

L3 & L6 78" x 64" Med weight linen

I also have so antique/vintage sheeting. It can be used almost as is for bedding/camping, or if you want to give your pirate kit a little vintage vibe you can use it for slops/shirts (I'd say its a medium weight). Interestingly enought, it has the initial "D" emproidered at the top. I used one to line my sailor short jacket... and there was plenty left over.

Again, there are two of these... buy both and save!

You pay actual shipping cost, again, I don't want to gyp anyone

There is more stuff here

http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/fabrics.html

See first post for trades and other info

SOLD AS ONE LOT

LINENS

Finding the "right" linen is not as simple as it seems! At least to me... but I got issues.

First up

L1- 2 pieces 64" x 31" and 3 2/3 yrds by 31"

Here is a piece of linen that is heavy enough weight to be a jacket or slops. I was going to make an early pair of petticoat breeches out of them or a pair of trousers. This pieces is easy 100 years old. And may be hand woven. It has all the hallmarks of small loom hand manufacture. Its freakin cool. It reminds me of the two guys from the period coat of arms thing that Foxe likes so much

The piece has some issues. There are 3 holes in it. One of them is pictured. If you are crafty enough, just avoid it. My intention was to "patch" it with blue check'd linen, which I thought would give it a sailor made vibe to it. If you ask nicely, I'll include enough blue checkd linen for repair.

More to come, or see my fabrics for sale page

again, first come first served (see trade info in first post)

Just been kickin' around through the various threads...

each year the bar gets raised higher, and looks to be met. A lot of great looking pirates, and better yet, everyone seems to have had a blast.

I could only hope to get out there one year to finally meet everyone....

Thanks for sharing your pics and stories, it soothes the wounds of not being able to participate...... a little.

Sold... pending payment

Thanks for interest... if I get anymore, I'll let you know!

GoF

Update see above!

We have two different things going on here...

a discussion about Cravats and a discussion about Neckerchiefs

The thing around your regular sailor's neck would be a neckerchief. Its a one yard square, folded diagonally, then "rolled" some what, put around your neck and tied in a not. If you were ever a boyscout, you should get the idea.

A Cravat is a long rectangular piece of linen (lawn, cambric etc) as Michael described above wrap it a few times around your neck tie it in the front, and presto.

If you are wearing a justaucorps, i'd go with a cravat. If you have a sailor jacket, wear the neckerchief.

GoF

For gentlemen, you want a really fine weave of linen... its almost gauze like. The proper name is "Lawn" linen. Hard to find and expensive. Next up would be Cambric linen... still a Finely woven linen, but I believe that originally came from France.

Even if you are not a proper gentleman, you want a fine weave of linen, as it is a bunch of linen to have around your neck if its thick and chunky.

Michael gives some good dimensions, and looks sharp in his kit.. (as usual!)

GoF

Ahoy

As stated earlier, I sold the bulk of my remaining shoe buckle stock to Taylor Rose Historical Outfitters.

I have just a few left that I am saving for "emergencies"

More information HERE

GoF

Sold

Thanks for the interest.

I'd be willing to participate...

I am kind of burnt out on running it, so I am glad someone else has stepped up to take the reigns.

Maybe smaller numbers will be a bonus. Last year, we had a few folks that joined the pub in Aug-Sept and were all jazzed to participate, we bent the rules to let them in the Gift Exchange, and we never heard from them again.

Its kind of a bummer to be an old timer here at the pub, get hooked with a noob, and have them drop the ball....

No offense to current new folks, but it is a pattern that has happened the two years we have done the secret santa thing.

We shall see what we shall see...

GoF

I have to fund some other projects, so something must go...

On offer is a completed Handmortar Kit from The RIfle Shoppe

This is the one for sale! (photo by our own Black John)

This is a high quality kit from the folks at the Rifle Shoppe, its not imported from India!

Handmortars have been around since at least the 17th century in various lengths, calibers, and lock mechanisms. The Rifle Shoppes model resembles those found in the Early 18th century and can be seen in various museums (West Point and Morges come to mind)

The idea was to be able to launch a grenade farther than you could throw one.

For more General Info on Handmortars, see http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/handmortar.htm

FOR REFRENCE ONLY NOT FOR SALE! Photo taken of 1710 dated Handmortars in Military Museum Morges (Swtz)

The Kit was assembled by John Buck in Virginia and completed in 2006 but has been unfired, except for sparking a few flints. Word Around the campfire (from folks like Ben Coogle) is that it will shoot a tennis ball about 300 yards...

and, C'mon, who DOESN'T need to shoot a tennis ball 300 yards???

FOR REFRENCE ONLY NOT FOR SALE! Miquelet lock'd Handmortar by Ben Coogle

The kit and custom build could cost you well over $2000 now, and could take over 2 years (TRS is well known for lengthy delivery times)

So, if you want a Handmortar in 2010, you could go that route...

But if you want one NOW and in time for PIP, $1850 + Shipping gets it!

Pyrite

Welcome aboard, and thanks for checking out my site, glad it made an impression.

In the several hours of browsing and reading about clothing in the GAoP, I don't recall once coming across even the briefest mention of anything similar to a bandanna. I was curious as to the historical accuracy of bandannas, and, if they were used during the GAoP, how they differed from contemporary versions. I'd greatly appreciate efforts to satiate my curiosity with your knowledge

I think it depends on what you were looking for in your search. If you were googlin' Bandanna, then you probably were out of luck. In England, and in the Americas, they were known (in English) as a Handkerchief.

Its fairly easy to find evidence of handkerchiefs... just about any picture of a gaop sailor (or male civilian) for that matter has some sort of handkerchief or cravat around their necks.

What is hard to find though, are depictions of period folks wearing it "doo rag" style, that is on top of the head like a modern gang member/biker. I have found two period depictions of the on top of head style though BOTH are shown with HATS on TOP of the handkerchief..

This was painted in 1697 by Abraham Storck. Its actually an Italian port scene IIRC... but it is interesting for a lot of reasons

Short jacket (is that a blue and white checked shirt underneath?)

Slops (short style) or Petticoat Breeches with drawers or Breeches underneath.

Definitely a scarf/handkerchief under his hat, and it looks to be a tricorn/cocked hat.

The other is from the series "Cries of London" by M Lauron and shows the pin seller

This is a fairly early (for GAoP anyway) picture, dating to 1687.

But again, in all my diggin and pickin' those are the only two from the GAoP i could find, and again, they both have hats over them.

Handkerchiefs around the neck are easy...

Foxe's Pirate Sailor Picture Repository has many.

What is a period Handkerchief? A cloth square, of about 1 yard to a side. In linen, calico (as in the Indian kind) or silk... watch out for patterns though, as it can date the fabric to later than GAoP, solid colors are probably best in that regard. Roll and whip stitch the edge and viola'!

GoF