Capt. Bo of the WTF co.

I'm in... Bo

I've posted this before, year 1700, French exploration along the Pacific coast of South America, art by a hydrographer by the name of Duplesis: http://www.bing.com/...CFF0E346551D51A Maritime I'm pretty sure, and there is another if I can find it. I also posted this in the other boot thread years ago. * (edited)*This is not intended as proof pyrates wore bucket boots, but rather that men at sea duty did in fact have some chance to wear tall boots ashore. Use it for what it is or ignore it as you will. I tried. Bo

Sorry, I'll stand in chains, be jailed and executed, but I'll have to draw the line at getting pies thrown at me. Bo

Me. I'll do it. Coming a long way and want to make the most of my time. Bo

I'll add my grindstone to the mix, and I'll volunteer for drunkerd at the gate as well, I have a new pike I'd like to tryout....(hee-hee). Bo

As all nefarious associates are (hee-hee) Always willing to help visiting crew enjoy their stay. Our land-line is the most reliable source for contact. Bo

Try Track of the Wolf. It is still listed in their catalogue but I do not know if they still stock it or not. Bo

Dang, wish I would have brought my earphones with me. Couldn't get the narration on the video. Thanks for the kind words, but that ain't really my pyratey kit. I'll have to try and get some current pics up. Here is my first attempt from about 2006/07: Heres me at Ft. DeChartres with some of the Mercury Crew June 2011 Almost forgot this one!: OK, last edit, but this is my Mother's favorite from last year Halloween day: Bo

Darn good firewood. Bo

Better include "L" shaped vent picks if you are taking the field. Can't use a standard pick with a flashguard. Bo

For what it's worth, I like that Richard Gunnage name. I'd vote that way m'self. Bo

I talked to my local young longhunter friend Matthew last night and may have found the barrel and stock for this project already! I am going across the street to my gunsmith's shop when I leave here (the library) and see about getting some help with inletting things. This may not take as long as I originally thought! Commodore, we will definitely have a chance to talk at the Ft. Taylor event. Matty, I had to let that pistol go a couple years back when my septic tank needed replaced. The hanger you mention I still have,but it turned out to be a real sick story. After several years of trying to identify (unsuccessfully) that blade while it was still in its original bayonet state, I made the cutlass you saw from it. Just about two years ago, while browsing an antique auction site, I saw an identical bayonet listed. It turns out that it was a RARE ORIGINAL SPENCER NAVAL ISSUE BAYONET! Only 800 were made for the Union Navy. On the bright side (if there is one), most of those ended up modified to swords similar to what I did with mine as they were too unwieldly on those Spencer carbines. The blade is nearly as long as the weapon itself. OK, enough of the bunny-trail. I am really jazzed about building this wheel lock carbine. It should be fun to shoot. Bo

Yes.. the "attitude" that I have to remind myself of quite often: "No matter where ye goes, Thar ye arrrrr!" Hee-hee. Life is what we make of the ingredients we find at our disposal. I often lose perspective myself and have to realign the gears occaisionally. It helps me to cover several venues, so I do colonial, pyrate, MO/KS Border War, and American War of Northern Agression . I switch focus from one period to another as I find myself waning in interest for whatever reason. Downside of that: It makes things more expensive covering gear and weapons for all those different areas of history. Bo

That depends largely on the host team and what they put together. Both firestarting and snare-setting have been incorporated in past events. Steel trap-steeing, animal track identification, tactical knowlegde (i.e. what would you do in this scenario?), keeping track of a stick-pony (a.k.a. pack horsey), rescue of captured women/children from hostiles, and paying attention to the "guide's" instructions so you don't shoot at targets you are not supposed to given certain scenarios, etc. It gets really interesting some years, even intense for some. It truly is like Forset Gump's "box-of-chocolates" quote. I talked to my friend Matthew (that was with me at the June event in 2011) last night and we may be carpooling again if I can swing the time and funds. Bo

Yep, it is the same one you used at Ft. DeChartres. Not sure what type vehicle am going to rent, but if it is needed i'm sure I can find a way to lash the poles down. I'll be checking on rentals this week so I'll have a better idea . lf I can get a mini-van it won't be a problem though. Bo

4 ft. will probably work for length, but I think the 6" will not be deep enough for the club-butt unless I laminate a piece to the bottom. If I make it to Ft. DeChartres will you have some with you? Bo

Looking for a round .62-.69 cal. barrel around 30-32 inches now. This is gonna be fun! Bo

Smoothbore and rifles are allowed mixed in the same groups. I have shot with both and there are many smoothbore shooters that make rifle shooters embarrassed! The team with the most wins are all smoothbore shooters and compete against rifles every year (and are the ones putting on this years shoot...again). The woodswalk is not strictly shooting skills either. There are lots of woodsmans skill and general period woodcraft knowledge elements to it, so shooting is only a part of the event. It is restricted to flintlock firearms though, no cappers. It is always a good time. Entry has always been a prize in the $20-$25 range as far as I know that still stands. Check the Ft. DeChartres website for details on camp fees though. Bo

Add fourth grade to mY resume'! That was a GOOD day! The teacher was very organized and structured, left me a very comprehensive and detailed schedule, all materials were laid out for me and the kids were great. Wish every sub-day was that way...(dream-on)! Bo

Hmmmm..... Mahogany for my wheelock carbine? Not sure that 6" is deep enough for the club-butt without laminating though. Hmmm... Can you save me a piece of that about five feet long to look at Silas? I may be able to use it for my wheelock project. Bo

Uh-Huh! I think I have found my piece: A carbine instead of a full-length musket for me! Horsemen and pyrates alike favor the carbines for manueverability no? I think this is going to be my target. I just like this one very much. opinions? Bo

This event actually evolved from a team woodswalk event. The woodswalk is still the focus of the November event and five man teams are put together for the challenges placed before them by the previous years' winning team. That's right, you win, your team is host for the following year. It is less "rendevous" oriented than the June event. I may see some of you there, depends on my funds and work availability. Bo

Yes, my next-door neighbor works at Fajen Gunstocks in Lincoln, MO. just 11 miles away from home. He also comes over to set out round bales for the horses since I no longer have a tractor. Anyhow, thanks for that link! My wheel lock is fully assembled and functional, even has pyrite in the jaws already. I'm leaning more heavily towards a .75 calibre musket after talking to my local machinist/gunsmith. An 8 or 10 bore 4ft. long is more costly than I am willing to go. Probably going to be a .69 or .75 musket with Dutch influence. The club-butt on top? http://www.williamma...ssFlintlock.jpg Maybe this fishtail? http://www.halfblogre.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/wheellock_musket2.jpg Ed's surname is Herzer, and he would have liked it built that way I think. Still open at this stage though. Bo

There are drawings/sketches by a hyrographer named Duplesis travelling with a French expedition north along the Pacific coast of South America in 1700. Three of those color drawings show tall boots over the knee. In the Time-Life Seafarers series of books in tThe Pacific Navigators volume, beginning on pp. 66-67, the first picture shows two french seamen wearing the tall boots ashore. I posted these several years ago and they may still be here somehwere. Pg.69 has another color drawing showing one of the crew wearing these tall boots as well. It should be noted though that none of the drawings that show men using the boats are wearing boots. Most are barefoot. Bo

Sorry, ran out of time on my session here at the library, had to wait a few to log back in. It has been a melancholy week helping go through Big Ed's stuff with his widow. Lot's of memories attached to the things we sorted through. Anyhow, this is the lock that I have mentioned in the past, the one I tried to get my best friend to build a gun around in order to get him motivated and try to overcome the depression that came with his failing health. I want to do something with it but I suck at woodwork. At one time I saw a picture here of a large wall-type gun of 8 or 10 guage bore I think, mounted in a yoke. I copied that photo and sent it along to Ed but his widow and I could not locate it. This lock is a bit large for a pistol, so I am looking to build a longarm with it, most likely something close to that big wall gun. He would have liked that. Any help you folks could offer as to finding a big 8 or 10 bore barrel, and some help getting to inletting done would be appreciated. I have a neighbor that works for Fajen Gunstocks and he is going to help with getting the cherry stock blank when I decide on the barrel and style. Thinking fish-tail or club-butt. Suggestions for design will be appreciated as well. Thanks... Bo