michaelsbagley

Since this should be a short discussion (and if it gets long we can get Mission or one of the other Mods for this forum to split it out). How about Iron John? He is a PiP veteran, and he probably knows the ins and out of the Mercury crew better than I? I'll still go to the morning meetings and help out with that, since I helped there with that last year, and that is a pretty easy part for me. Having a second with regards to that would be a great help. If Iron John is unavailable, I would suggest Mark G as another possible candidate, as he has lengthy experience. Or what about MadPete? Boogater? Oderless Eye? The issue I am seeing is that while I have met and know many of the Mercury Crew, there are some good people that I have not met yet. And while working with Mark is easy for me (since we work so much together the rest of the year), a good part of the charm of PiP is working with new (to me) folks. Anyways, any suggestion? Volunteers?

This sux! I don't get to meet William, and now I don't get to see Jim again! William, I'll do what I can to help, but there is no way I will ever come near filling the shoes that you and/or Jim have in the past. To be honest, while I don't want to shrug off helping, I'm just not sure that I would b the best person for this.

And don't forget purveyor of nice hats as well! Happy B-day man!

Yes you are correct, but the title of the book is misleading. "Sword and Blades of the..." while focusing on the weapons American revolution, contains examples of swords going right back to the early 1600s. The amount of samples increases as one moves down the time line, so for GAoP, there is only a dozen or so examples, but that seems to be more than most other books on the matter out there.

You can view the information for direct donations on this web page.. The instructions accommodate for mailing a check (the address is in there, although I think it should be written to stand out more), or one can do a direct donation via a web form (via credit card). To make it easier, the address is... Columbus Santa Maria Inc. (make checks payable to this name as well as addressing mail to the ship here) 1111 East Broad Street LL Columbus, OH 43205

That's it... I am going to make some fake black powder for safe display at events! I am going to use a blend mustard seeds, black pepper, and poppy seeds... And at least if the food is bad, I can use the fake black powder to mask the flavour!

Having a Guinness while watching the hockey game. Not imaginative or unique, but the best ol' stand-by.

Tomorrow is the last day to bid on a lot of the first batch of items in the auctions. A lot of these items are still going for well under their value! So now is the time to start bidding. I'm surprised no one has bid on the blue hand knit cap! You can barely buy machine knit caps in 100% wool for that little anymore never mind a hand knit one!

Has anyone ever tried using cracked black pepper? I know it would still have some lighter flecks to it, but controlling the granulation would be easier, and perhaps adding some charcoal as Qj suggested might help on the colour.

I'd be very interested in knowing the dates of the probates that included the boots. The 52 year span of those inventories is pretty broad and has some dramatic changes in fashion and style within those years. But a neat find all the same. Mission, as for "spatterdashes" being military. There is a 1690s painting that has been posted on the pub with some regularity that shows a gentleman hunter wearing spatterdahses or gaitors. Although later in the 18th century the knee high gaitors become a more military thing, whereas the above the ankle variety are a more non-military thing.

Another change on this end... I know the deadline was yesterday but anyways here it goes.... Jennie G has messed up her leg recently, and while she will recover fully, it isn't easy to bend at the moment, and likely won't be for several weeks. As such they are going to be bringing their Pavillion style tent instead of their wedge. Could you please update their footprint to 15' X 15'. Thanks.

Congrats Bob! Mission, how very Warhol of you!

Not all items are up yet, But here is a convenient link for those who care to browse or bid early. More items to be added over the next few days.

Yeah, it was the Disney version with Keiffer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Oliver Platt, and others. It is the only place I had ever seen the thing used to break blades... In fact I think that version of the movie is the only time I have ever seen one of these used.

So if I have read this correctly, all firearms will have flash guards? Including pistols? I just want to make sure I am reading that correctly. Another item that has me somewhat confused (not that it affects me, I ask from curiousity), is the 1675 to 1730 reproduction weapons. Does that mean Brown Besses and Charlevilles with metal ramrods will not be allowed? As the metal ramrod was for the most part a 1740 or later addition to these styles of weapons? I ask these questions only because in previous years, these rules had been interpreted with some flexibility (i.e. flashguards were not required on pistols or long arms if one was not firing in "closed" formation), and also because many of the early style weapons (particularly the English/Jacobean style locks which are popular in this time frame) can not be fitted with a flash guard.

Nah, that is covered by the historic presenter... See, a historic presenter or the trades person (or even perhaps a battle re-enactor that doesn't care about authentic gear)... These are more about acting the part than dressing the part (although there are admittedly more people that fall into those categories that try hard to be authentic than not). Now if you are talk of the myth-inspired pirate that isn't even trying to demonstrate history... Well that tends to fall outside of my definitions of what a re-enactor can be. In fact I tend to put those as "Pirate Entertainers", which again don't mesh with my ideals, although I could in a flexible enough state of mind see an argument to the contrary. A style I did leave out, as I am not sure how best to sum them up would be "The Progressive". I am currently questioning if under my defined archetypes, if the progressive would be a separate category, or someone who tries to cover a few to most of those categories simultaneously.

Okay, I'm going to throw this out there to help muddy the waters some... I'm sort of responding to the earlier question of what is a re-enactor... And also illustrating that some times in Twill re-enactors piss each other off as a result of different focus. What is a re-enactor... Well I have several definitions (I am an almost compulsive user of classifications, so I beg the indulgence of those who don't care for such things). I am going to list some terms I use, knowing full well that the definitions I ascribe to these classifications are used differently (I.e. I apply Term 1 to concept 1, and term 2 to concept 2, where as another person may use term 1 for what is concept 2 etc.) The Historic Presenter - Someone who dresses in period garb (usually accurate garb, but some instances accurate garb is not the focus here), and in first person and in a historic persona, interacts with the public in a hopefully educational and entertaining fashion. Usually this is done for more common portrayals although specific skills can be a focus. Often the main focus is the ability to be in character and the persona. The Trades person - Someone who demonstrates a trade or skill set (from baker to doctor to candlestick maker). While this style of re-enactor can also be a "historic presenter", explaining the skill in a modern tone and more modern educator style tends to be the main focus, so this style while compatible with the "historic presenter" isn't always done the same. The skill is the focus, not the characterization. I have also noted that accuracy on clothing is often not as much of a concern for the "Trades Person" and in some cases (blacksmith for example) modern safety gear may be used which can detract from the historic appearance. The Battle re-enactor - Although most battle re-enactors do tend to put a good deal of effort into the clothing and gear, this style of person is out for the action and to help fill in the ranks of the battlefield to make a more impressive overall impression to an event. This style of re-enactor also tends to not interact directly with the public as much as others (although they tend to be a social lot), and when they do interact, the focus of conversation tends to be the arms and/or tactics. Performing military drills can also be a part of this. The artifact exhibitor - This person has a bunch of stuff, whether they are reproductions or originals, or a mix of both, this style of re-enacting is about material culture. This style may come off as a duplicate of the "Trades Person" but the trades person is trying to exhibit a skill set, whereas the Artifact exhibitor has a more varied collection of goodies to show off. The Trekker (although I hear die hard Trekkers prefer the term "Scout" as "Trekkers" sound too much like fans of a Sci-Fi TV and film series) - This groups tends to be in it for themselves. Often they are trying to get away to presenting to audiences. This type of re-enactor may pop-in on public display re-enactments, but they prefer to be out in the wilderness living it (at least for the weekend, or as much spare time as they have). Historical accuracy on gear tends to be a strong focus as well as basic survival skills (a candle maker would not fit too well into a Trek as a candle maker, for example, or try trekking with blacksmith gear). I'll add more as I think of them (I'll likely edit this post rather than posting again), but as you can see, these are four archetypes that all fall into the category of historic re-enactor. Many re-enactors try to draw from more than one of these styles (or even all), but the truth is, most of us tend to fall mostly into one of those categories as our focus whether we like to admit it or not. To re-address the comment of how re-enactors piss each other off... I see no reason to not include someone who falls into the "Historic Presenter" or "Trades Person" as a re-enactor, even if their clothing is not very authentic looking (more inspired by pop-culture), however a "Trekker" who may not care as much about educating the public may get a bit off-put by an in-authentically dressed "Historic Presenter". A Historical Presenter also may take umbrage by the fact that a trades person is not putting any effort into being "in character" because they are focusing more on explain more technical information in modern terms they are more comfortable with using. Honestly, while the whole authentic/non-authentic "war" is oft debated, I honestly see the war as a myth perpetrated by the fact it has happened a few times to just about everyone. I really think more heated debates are derived from difference in re-enactment style than the whole authentic/non-authentic thing... But that is just my humble observations. And to add a little more fuel to the fire, in the 3 or more years I have been on this forum, I think most of the authentic/non-authentic "wars" have been started from a cold blunt statement of relevant facts being interpreted as an insult than the use of derisive terms.

Update, Trish and Shannon are planning on bringing their pavilion style tent rather than borrowing a wedge, so please update their fotprint to 14 X 14. Thanks.

Another thought with "old or out of date clothing", is that most people of the time had only one or a very few sets of clothing. Specially those of the more humble classes. Now to use a modern paralell to make a period point, but how many people out there have had a favourite pair of jeans or other favourite item that is for more rugged wear that they wore a lot? How many years did this garment last under regular wear? And modern standards of regular wear tend to be once or twice a week at most, not every day as was likely in period. Now one could argue the fabrics and techniques used back "in period" were more durable... But really, how long do you think the average garment in the 17th or early 18th century lasted? Months? A few years (maybe)? But certainly not decades in my opinion. The of used rebuttal of "old/handed down/second hand" clothing has not ever really flown with me. But others opinions may vary. Although as clothing was hand made, it isn't too hard for me to believe that the family or community tailor for more humble communities would be behind in fashion, probably even years behind, maybe even as much as a decade... But not likely more than a decade if they wanted to stay in business.

I love the Sixx A.M. Album! I haven't bothered with the book, but I have always had a soft spot for concept albums (Roger Waters is one of the best for those IMHO). Nikki Sixx always struck me as one of the more interesting character from the band, and even more so when I discovered back in the late 80s through the early 90s, he was listening to, and being influenced by a number of the gothic industrial bands I was very big on in those years.

I was at a Hockey game a few weeks ago, and in typical hockey game fashion they played a lot of fast paced rock tunes... At this particular games it almost sounded like the Motley Crue album was stuck in the CD player or something... So since then I have been on a huge Motley Crue kick. Not my usual taste in music, but it is a guilty pleasure I enjoy from time to time.

Wild guess here, so please take this with that in mind... But from what I have read, hook and eyes were pretty popular for coat/jacket closures in the first half of the 17th century. Could that be it? Great picture though, thanks for sharing that! I wonder if the information on the creator of that reproduction could be gotten and if he/she would be willing to share sources or archaeological notes (even if it is only a point to a book that contains said info).