Cascabel

Just load 'em up with powder and no ball, and ye got a blank firin' pistol.... Just be careful, and if ye don't know what yer doin' consult smeone who is familiar with such things. >>>>> Cascabel

William Red Wake Sir..... Thanks most kindly for posting my pic. I couldn't figure out how to do it, so I just posted a link. Computers are not my area of expertise..... >>>> Cascabel

Here be mine.... (hope the link works) http://www.pyracy.com/gallery/details.php?...240&mode=search >>>>> Cascabel

Arrrrr.... Ye can never tell who may pop up from below decks when ye leaves the hatch open !!!!!! There's always a few of us lurkin' down in the bilge.... >>>>>> Cascabel

Great pics !!!! Perhaps you can give us advance notice when it's coming up next year. I may try to make it..... >>>>> Cascabel

On the rare occasions that I travel by air, I put my hats in a small hard body suitcase and let them ride in the baggage compartment. They used to be popular with the ladies as make-up cases. The one I have will accomodate two tricorns facing back to back, and they can be surrounded with soft items so as not to waste the extra space. I also use the case on road trips when I don't have to bring more than a couple of hats. They can be found for about 1 or two bucks at most thrift shops near where I live. Usually are quality brands like Samsonite. >>>>> Cascabel

Aye, I'm in full agreement with ye..... I think it is the best pirate movie ever made. Been trying to get it on DVD for a long time. I have my suspicions that it was a theatrical release in Europe, as I have seen posters for it in other languages for sale on eBay. Sorry, but I don't recall what languages they were, but they had the look of standard theater posters, and I have a couple of "lobby card" photos also, one of which is autograped by Heston. >>>>>>>>> Cascabel

Aye, Shipmate.... I'll be thar, I'm part of the cast. >>>>> Cascabel

Aye, I also suspect it has something to do with an elite military unit. The skull and bones symbol has always been a popular motif in military units, the most recent that comes to mind is the SS organization of the Nazi era. I have also seen variations of the symbol on regalia of World War I units from various European countries, usually on headgear. I think I remember a picture of a Serbian or Russian general with a HUGE skull and bones on his fur hat in one of my books. >>>> Cascabel

Aye, I agree with RumbaRue... Most likely if it came from Museum Replicas, the buckle is made of cheap zinc die-cast, also known as "pot metal" underneath the chrome. You are better off replacing it with something better. >>>>>>>> Cascabel

I suspect that it might make a decent interfacing material. I have an antique rocking chair (1860's vintage) with the original upholstery fabric still intact. The fabric is made of woven horse hair material. It is chiefly black in color with the occasional lighter color piece of hair intermixed. It is rather stiff, and has a sheen to it. It probably looked quite elegant when new. I have seen other examples of furniture of the 1800's with intact covering identical to it also, so I think the material was fairly common at least at that time. >>>>>> Cascabel

Ye can see meself and Ravan igniting the pig at Pirates in Paradise after it was doused with rum using the flash from the pans on our flintlock blunderbusses in the photo gallery: http://www.pyracy.com/gallery/details.php?...550&mode=search >>>>>>> Cascabel

I am fortunate to have several different sewing machines. One standard houshold type UNIVERSAL, which will do good button holes in addition to regular sewing; one serger; and two heavy duty SINGER leather/upholstery type industrial machines, one of which will reach up into a sleeve or down into a boot if need be. Having the heavy machines makes it possible to sew even the thickest layers of material with ease. I think the bigger of the two would sew plywood if I needed to !!!! I am truly blessed..... >>>>> Cascabel

Be aware when you examine material especially in scrapyards (an excellent source, by the way), that there are many different stainless steel alloys. Some are very springy and useful for sword blades, and some are very soft, and have no "springyness" at all and when bent will stay that way until you straighten them. It would be a shame to do a lot of work making a good looking blade only to find that it bends easily. Give any prospective pieces a "flex" to see if they are springy enough before you purchase. Also keep in mind that some alloys are more "stainless" than others, although rust is not a problem under most conditions. If you know someone that works on aircraft, the "1/2 hard" temper is a good choice if they can get you a piece. It will be quite springy and strong. >>>> Cascabel

Aye, Shipmate.... The "Lady" in question has a habit of getting restraining orders against people (or at least claiming that she does) every time she gets unhappy about something or other. E-mail me privately if you need further info. I see no reason to continue this subject further. Suffice to say, I had a great time and met many new friends, and renewed acquaintences with me good shipmates from far flung areas. Hope to see everyone again next year.... >>>>>>>> Cascabel

Actually, nothing ever got beyond a very short verbal encounter, contrary to what you heard. All of about ten seconds..... >>>>>>>> Cascabel

It is apparent that neither Disney nor ebay is willing or able to put a stop to this fraud for some reason. Our best course of action seems to be to keep spreading the word...... >>>>>> Cascabel

As for myself, I don't drink at all. Never did develop a taste for the stuff, even though I tried hard at it back when I was a kid. However, I consider it not at all appropriate for people to be blowing "booze breath" in the faces of kids and their parents during an event. It makes ALL of us look bad, and is very un-professional. Partying needs to be done after the public goes home, and then I'm all for it. >>>>> Cascabel

I got mine over a year ago on eBay. $37.00 >>>>>> Cascabel

The weather can vary quite a bit. Last year, it was cold, and I had to wear my watchcoat over everything else, and was glad I had it even during the daytime. Other years, it has been been warm enough to make you wish you were dressed like a tourist with shorts and no shirt. Hard to predict, so I come prepared...... >>>>> Cascabel

Cool stuff, but keep in mind that all the really good stuff got sold several years back. I know, because I was there in person !!! Most of the stuff, unfortunately, was badly stored in leaky outdoor shelters and was baled up tightly in bundles which got wet from rain and stayed wet for quite a while. You can see evidence of this by the rust and mildew stains on some of the items. Much of the items have rotted from staying wet for so long, and the fabric is weak. The film was made in Thailand and Malta, and most of the extras were small people, and a lot of the costuming is in little-bitty sizes. However, you could get lucky and wind up with something nice. The workmanship is top quality on most of the things I looked at, and I wear the items I bought frequently. >>>>> Cascabel

The police are pretty laid back. They know that there is a pirate festival in town, and people will be walking around in dressed like pirates with swords and period pistols. Believe me, the Key West police are quite used to strange sights !!!! Just don't do anything REALLY stupid and everything should be fine. >>>>> Cascabel

Seems to me that long ago I read something about the reason for the "reeded" edge on coins was originally so that a person coul easily see if the coin had been shaved. Sounds reasonable to me..... >>>>> Cascabel

In my experience, it's also called "garb" by Renn Faire people.... >>>>> Cascabel

Ahoy back to ye, Animal. As far as do's and dont's go..... Blades need to be in a scabbard. We don't want exposed points for someone to walk into, so no naked cutlasses just shoved into your belt. Don't pull out a blade in a crowded area, or let a non-participant handle it. Again, someone may walk into it. Don't pull out a pistol and wave it around or point it at anyone or anything, or allow a non-participant to handle it. ALL firing must be approved by one of the safety officers. No carrying of loaded weapons except when participating in a scene or an approved fight. Use of wadding is discouraged. If a weapon is to be discharged immediately, wadding is not necessary, and creates a fire hazard. No one may fire a weapon during the event without being pre-approved by one of the safety officers. Weapons inspections will be done as needed at morning cast calls. Inspections will include determining a person's understanding of basic gun safety and knowledge of operating their weapon. Instruction will be available for novices. No sword fighting except by pre-approved participants and in designated areas. Pretty much common sense..... >>>>> Cascabel