Cascabel

Having your weapons peace tied is not a requirement, but is a good idea, considering that you will spend a lot of time in bars full of curious and inebriated people. Some of them are ill-mannered enough to want to "see" your weapons without asking first. I usually have both sword and pistol on me all the time. I am usually one of the safety officers, so feel free to ask me anything weapon related, either on the pub or in person at the event. >>>>> Cascabel

I ate there once about 15 years ago, so my info is not current. I thought the food was excellent, but very overpriced. The decor was nice. For really outstanding pirate decor, visit "Queen Anne's Revenge restaurant in South Carolina. Lots of genuine antique flintlocks on display, etc. Prices a bit on the high end, but not outrageous.... >>>> Cascabel

I think the big issue here is, that after determining there was no criminal intent, the police and the school STILL decided to blow it out of proportion. >>>> Cascabel

Interesting..... I just got back from doing a middle school presentation in South Carolina, and spent all day in the school fully armed with a cutlass and fully functional flintlock pistol and blunderbuss. They LOVED me being there. I'm SO glad not to live any where near "THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIK of NEW YORK !!!!! >>>>>> Cascabel

The legal issues depend totally on where you live or where you plan to use it. You will have to check on these things yourself, but bear in mind that sometimes asking a law enforcement type person will not get you an accurate answer. Also there may be noise ordinances involved. Pretty much at events all the legal issues have been looked into (or should have been) by the people in charge. Have fun !!!! >>>>> Cascabel

These cutlasses benefit greatly from having the sharply pointed guard curled over into a graceful scroll. The way they are as delivered, they tend to poke you rather painfully at times, and cause damage to your clothing, etc. >>>> Cascabel

Aye, Shipmate. I have done business with The Rifle Shoppe on several occasions. They are EXTREMELY frustrating to deal with, but they are also the ONLY source that I know of for this kind of thing. They won't answer e-mail, and very seldom answer the phone, and when they do, what they tell you cannot be relied upon. They will continually promise delivery "in about a week", which NEVER happens. Some things take six months or more. I don't mind waiting, but I HATE being lied to. I have been made to look foolish to customers by passing on what they have told me, and then having to make excuses because they won't keep their word. However...... They really are honest and have high quality and hard to find parts, which you will EVENTUALLY receive. They are just TERRIBLE business men..... >>>>> Cascabel

Correct period language is a fine thing up to a point, but many times period English is nearly impossible to understand by the average person that you will be dealing with considering different and unusual words, etc. You will very often have people giving you puzzled looks and saying, "huh???". For most purposes you come out better with a "Hollywood" type of accent except for strictly historic presentations. Just my personal experience !!!!!! >>>>> Cascabel

Aye, Hawkyns !!! There are way too many pirates (and Renny's too) that look like walking junkyards.... >>>> Cascabel

When I found out the Cutthroat Island costumes and props were avaiable, I went right to the prop house and bought several prop and costume items. What I got was had for INCREDIBLY low prices. (costume items $5.00 each, weapons and parts $10.00 each), but I payed $125.00 for one of the fancy coats from the ballroom scene. Got some swords, both rubber and aluminum, and also some costume coats, a couple of which were like new and never got the "artificially aged" treatment. Also got one of the Jolly Roger flags and a hat. Most of what was there had been poorly stored and had gotten wet and stayed wet for a long time, but the stuff I got had remained dry, and is in excellent shape. The bulk of the costumes were very small sizes, so not a whole lot would fit me. Filming was done in Malta and Thailand, and most of the extras were pretty small people. I wound up getting a total of five coats that I could fit into. The costume items were very well made, and probably quite expensive to produce. More like real clothing than cheaply put together costumes. The prop weapons were typical prop Items that look great from across the room, but up close they leave a lot to be desired. The aluminum bladed swords are fight-worthy, and have obviously seen action. I have a rubber example of Dawg Brown's serated bladed sword that was of course not meant to be used. >>>>> Cascabel

I think Treasure Island with Heston as Long John is by far the best, but Roman Polanski's 'Pirates' is one of the better ones. I never was much of a fan of the Errol Flynn offerings.... >>>>> Cascabel

As fer meself, I think 'The Pirate Movie' with Kristy McNichole is by far the WORST pirate movie ever made. If you doubt it, rent it and see for yourself !!!! >>>>> Cascabel

I found 'em on eBay already..... >>>>> Cascabel

Cuttin' the Mustard ????? As fer me, I'm much more likely to "cut the cheese" ! Pirates is expected to do that from time to time..... >>>>>> Cascabel

Just build a rendition of a typical sloop of the period, and add a few cannons and a Jolly Roger !!!! That is how it really happened, so it should be accurate.... >>>>> Cascabel

Aye, Darlin', I'll be touchin' off a round for ye !!!!!

Aye, Shipmate, I'll be bringin' some of me toys.... >>>>> Cascabel

Nicest cutlass I've seen for sale in a while !!!!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=2248134048 >>>>> Cascabel

Aye, shipmate..... It's me and me darlin what's listed as entertainers. Hope to see ya there !!!! >>>>> Cascabel

I've always done 'em by putting them on a pan of boiling water like a lid, and waiting for them to get soft and wet, and then shove a hat stretcher into them and adjust it while the hat is still hot. Let it cool while the stretcher is in place, then remove it. Works nicely !!! Hat stretchers can be had from various sources, and I have seen them quite often on eBay.... >>>> Cascabel

As others have discovered, the bagginess was for freedom of movement when sitting, squatting, etc. And also, bear in mind that unlike the way we usually dress when we do events in the warm weather, the baggy seat was usually concealed by a coat. >>>> Cascabel

Ye KNOW I'll be there, Shipmate...... >>>>> Cascabel

Aye, Hunting Hawk has the right of it. They have to go as baggage, even non-firing replicas. I have never yet seen powder for sale by any of the vendors, so ye need to have a local pick some up for ye, or get it yerself upon arrival if a dealer is convenient. (Bear in mind that VERY FEW dealers stock black powder due to the aggravating rules for stocking the stuff) I have picked up powder for several shipmates that attend some of the events that I do...... >>>>> Cascabel

I hates to perhaps burst yer bubble, but any maker worth his salt would charge upwards of $1000 to build a hand made piece like the one you want. You may want to approach some custom gunmakers with the proposal, backed up with cash. Perhaps you can find someone to modify an existing production weapon for your purposes..... >>>>>> Cascabel

Ahhh, yes.... The "People's Republik" of Massachusetts, I'm glad I no longer live there !!!!! >>>>> Cascabel