michaelsbagley

I get cranky if I get too much blood in my caffeine stream... Which should clearly identify me as a pretty avid coffee drinker. As for how I like my coffee, hot, damn hot... I feel as strongly about this as Dennis Leary feels about flavoured coffe in his "No Cure For Cancer" routine about coffee. I also share his views on flavoured coffee... I just could never enjoy flavoured or a cold or "iced" coffee, or any combination of the three... I'm just weird like that... (For those who haven't seen "No Cure For Cancer", Dennis Leary goes off on a rampage about how coffee should be COFFEE flavoured, and not taste like candy etc.) I do like tea occasionally as well, preferring sweat iced tea (with a bit of lemon). Although I have been known to sip hot Darjeeling, Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea once in a while. Chocolate.... mmm... Chocolate is good in all it's flavours and styles... I recently have become very addicted to the Abeulita (sp?) Mexican style hot chocolate... Mint schnapps is a very nice addition to hot chocolate (or even chocolate milk), probably one of my personal favs.

I don't know if this is a reliable source or not.... But according to this web site the festival started in 1990. www.renaissancefestival.com That would make the festival coming up on 18... Which is a fairly popular "coming of age" year. Appropriate if it is true.

I doubt that will be a problem...I switched sides just so's I could fire a cannon. My loyalty: pretty cheap. Oohhhhh...cannon! Hell, if you offer to be my personal surgeon, I'll get you your own canon! New canon for Misson

Count myself and Jessica (my better half) in as well. Unless there are objections, we'll plan to camp with the Mercury encampment. But depending on what garb I get done over the next year, I might appear as a few different folks fighting on different sides (also depending on where I might be needed or wanted most, to balance the sides). Hopefully this year nothing will happen to prevent our attendance...

Iowa? I'm not even sure I could find that on a map... and I'm not sure I could stand to move any further away from the "mother ship" ... At least living in Ohio I can drive back to visit every once in a while.... As for political ads, see plenty of those living in Downtown Toronto, remember Canada has three or four genuine parties that are all really genuine contenders in our elections, on top of the numerous smaller political parties that all seem to focus on the urban areas... Walk down any street in Toronto in the months leading up to an election and you will see no less than 5 or 6 parties advertised , and that doesn't even go into the various possible representatives for each of those parties. But this ramble is starting to get a bit off track... Back to snow.... Pretty, yeah, cold and unpleasant, hell yeah! But as much as I hate the cold, I do really enjoy lacing on some skates (ice skates not in-lines) and taking a few zips around the ice once and a while. Maybe a friendly game of hockey. And in case in of you want to know what a friendly game of hockey is like, the main difference in friendly hockey and the NHL stuff is, we stop the fights before there is blood in the friendly games.

I moved out of Toronto to get away from the snow.... Not that Toronto gets anywhere near as much snow as you do out in Kingston. But apparently I didn't move far enough south, as we got quite a bit of snow today here in Ohio, and now it is raining, and by morning I am going to have to drive home on an elongated skating rink that is normally a road. I don't mind the snow to look at, specially over the holidays. But being out in the cold never sat well with me. I have to remember to go out and get some rum tomorrow so I can make some hot toddies...

Stubbed ub.... Like maborly congefted.

Years? I was just looking at my profile, and realized I have been on this forum for just over 13 months... Or do I know you from one of the Viking Age forums? The missing doglock is consistant with the 1750s model I mentioned. So I think Loyalist's claim for "1715 to 1740" might be exagerated to a bit too early, where is if they claimed "1740 to 1760" I think they would be more on the ball. But I'm no expert on period firearms either, and I am basing this statement off of the info from one book I've read, and a quote from a book you've read. Maybe there may be other info out there to further prove or disprove the use of that style of musket for our time. On another note, the musket on page 52 of "Battle Weapons..." (dated 1700-1703) has a lock shaped similar the Loyalist Arms peice with no doglock. The description reads "A comparison with the proceeding longarm (from the previous page) illustrates the trend go eliminate the lock's 'dog,' which had secured the cock from premature ignition." From some further reading I have done, it seems that the English did begin to make non-"dogged" flintlocks in the early 1700's. I *Think* I even read somewhere that the dogs were cut off of some earlier locks. Here's a pic of the 1700-1703 musket lock. Makes me wonder if Loyalist combined the 1750s sample with this to get their reproduction.... A rather unusual blend if that is the case.

Thanks a ton! I've heard the "too much wood" argument many times, but unfortunately, that seems to hold true of just about all of the India made muskets available, and it is something most re-enactors are willing to live with strictly because of the economy of the situation. (India made muskets are cheap!) The barrel calibre being slightly off doesn't bother me, but the barrel length being wrong on the Loyalist gun, is something that does not please me, and will probably be enough to turn me off of it. I currently have my local library's copy of "Battle Weapons of the American Revolution", and pages 76 to 80 has various "British Sea Service Muskets" dated between 1746 and 1790 (all too late for my taste) many of the muskets on those pages resemble the Loyalist gun to one degree or another... In fact the Loyalist Musket does look reasonably similar to the musket on page 77 (dated to 1759) give or take the shaping of the forestock and other smaller details. The above is why I was so interested in the text from "Boarders Away", the information from "Battle Weapons...." does not seem to support Loyalist's ad in that the weapon is accurate (or close to accurate) for 1715, I wanted to compare with the info in "Boarders Away 2" to see if that info shed more light on the situation... and it has.... Thanks for all of your help Bloody Jack!

Thanks Bloody Jack Mad, I am more interested in the text than the image, but having even a grainy image to compare to the pics of the Loyalist Arms musket would be nice. I am most interested in the lockplate size (if it is even given in the text), and maybe the barrel size(length) as well, but the more information I have about the musket as a whole, the happier I will be.

Hey Billy, Thanks for the help... If you visit the link in my original post, there is a gun advertised as an early British Sea Service musket. The ad lists the source for their reproduction as from "Boarders Away Volume Two" on that page. It is possible that if the book has gone through more than one printing the musket could be on a different page. Or perhaps the ad just got the page incorrect altogether. Regardless, I am just trying to get as much detail about the musket as I can, particularly the lock plate size, but any other extra details would be most welcome as well. Another Pub member has offered to send me the page, but said he couldn't get to it for a day or two. I'm not in so much of a rush that I can't wait , but if I can get the info sooner, all the better... Edit: On rereading the ad on the above web page I posted, it says the description can be found STARTING on page 182, so I may need the page or two after that as well.... Teach me to post when I am not fully awake. Working nights is killing me.

Hi there, I was wondering if any of the folks (and I assume there is a few out there) who own a copy of the book "Boarders Away 2" and also happen to have a scanner handy, would consider scanning page 182 and sending me a copy of the scan? I do plan to buy the book (it is pretty high on my list), but I have an itching curiosity about a musket on that page and would like to read what info there is about it, and can't buy the book right now (X-Mas coming up and all). This item at Loyalist Arms started this curiosity for me... BRITISH SEA SERVICE MUSKET (EARLY MODEL) I really am interested in more detail than the Loyalist Arms web site has (Like the lock plate dimensions etc.) Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated. Please PM or email me if you are willing to help. Regards

My current job contract is in a shipping warehouse... So I am surrounded by mountains of wooden pallets on a daily basis. But being so far removed from just about everyone here, I am guessing that might not be too helpful... But if there is anyone near(ish) that wants any, I am sure I can get plenty (within reason of course).

Well, A quick look through my copy of Osprey's "Colonial American Troops 1610–1774 (1)" got me thinking... I think if somone could make a decision for the colours then everything could be great... Red Coats obviously wear red coats (Justacorps I would guess)... But throughout the history of the Red Coats, it was almost always a red coat with a different colout facing. Based on the Osprey book (not the best source) the Independant Companies during the Queen Anne's War time frame wore: Red coats with blue cuffs, the breeches were red as well, and the waistcoats were said "to be made from old coats" (red I would imagine). Th citation in the osprey book went on to say that there was little uniformity, and often various shades of red were used, some red wools being barely recognizable as red. The picture on this page, on the Military Heritage website...Battle of Blenheim Seems to support the red coat with blue facings. So if we get people who want to do red coats making red justacorps (or frock plain coats) with blue cuffs, red long waistcoats and red breeches... I think that would be a decent Red Coat uniform. If an agreement can be made on this, I will get working on it over the holidays... Of course we do have the option of using other colours. I believe (going from memory so i have no sources here) that one of the main Red Coat companies stationed in the Carribean at the time had yellow facings instead of blue, so that could be an option, or another colour could be chosen just out of preference... Archangels (Sterling, Rats, et. al.), if your serious about the red coat thing, please let me know... Since I am kind of stranded in Ohio with no one local to really play with, it would probably serve me best to follow suit with what you guys (and gals) are doing so I can link up with your unit when I can make it out...

I have been thinking... This may be a discussion better suited to Twill (or maybe even just it's own thread here), but I think if there was more easily accessible information about what a marines uniform would look like at the time, perhaps some people (maybe even me) might make a red coat outfit... I have a pirate getup, I would happily make a red coat outfit and happily alternate side and outfits. No offence to the red coats present (their outfits are great looking), but they look a bit later in period than what was being aimed for. The best I have seen for information on Red Coat outfits for the correct (not that I have really looked very hard) is the Osprey books, and well while Osprey books are usually decent, I don't tend to trust them as sole references... Anyway, just thought I would through that thought out there....

I'm really enjoying seeing the photos... With me having to bail on going, it is the next best thing to being there (save maybe the upcoming video)... Love the night shot with the guys hanging out with the lanterns. That just looks brilliant! The shot where the flare of the cock igniting the powder of that blunderbuss is freaking awesome too (sorry I don't know the name of the person with the 'buss). Who do I keep seeing pics of in the breastplate and helm? That is unbelievably awesome gear! Mission, glad the garb worked well for you, it looks good, you wear it well! But my god that is a huge haversack! You must have one hell of a set to need a pouch that big! (Set of surgeon's tools that is) I'm really glad everything went so well for everyone and you all such a good time of it... I am going to have to do everything I can to make sure nothing comes up to prevent me from going next year!

Zeph, I hope my post hasn't discouraged you. I think I may have come off harsher than I intended. If that is the case, please do accept my appoligies. The Museum Replica shoes are one of the best options available to pirate re-enactors I have seen yet with regards to price (okay second best on price after the shoes Mary Diamond is/was selling), and while I think they look a little off, they do look more than good enough. But if you are determined to get something spot on, then your plan to save up a more is applaudable. Cheers!

Hey Zeph, Those shoes do look like they are crooked lasted (left and right lasted) and not straight lasted... But I also think they look a little off style-wise... If you look at this...One set of shoes which are also crooked lasted, but look more correct... but a lot more pricey... Or look at these shoes or maybe these shoes from Running Iron they look more correct and also look like the probably are actually straight lasted. Also if you go back and do a search through the various shoe discussions in "Twill" and in "Plunder" for period pictures of shoes, you will see that the Museum Replica 17th century shoes, while they might be made decently (I've never dealt with them so I can't say), they really are just not quite "right" looking in my opinion. On the other hand, you can't beat the price. Specially at the blowout sale price.

The book was high on my X-mas gift list.... and to be honest I think Santa has already sent a digital request to the Amazon for a copy of the book for me...

Bump... Since I had to call off my trip to PiP, I've gone looking for something a little further down the road to aim for. As of this moment I am still unsure wether I can make this or not, but I am going to try my damndest... Searle's Raid On St. Augustine Anyways, as the above event is Buccaneer era, I thought I would resurface this thread and share my exploits with trying to get kit ready for the event (assuming I make it ). Even if I can;t make it to the Searle's Raid event, I can always follow in Patrick Hand's footsteps and use the gear for going to some rondezvous, there seems to be a lot of those in the general vacinity of where I live. It really seems like a great deal of research has been provided here and I will get to do the easy thing and just make my gear based on the information provided... But as is human nature, I will probably interpret some things a little differently. Anyways, hope bumping this thread might revamp some interest in the Buccaneer impressions and possibly some interest in this event. I'd like to start by giving those who previously copntributed to this thread a hearty THANKS for doing all the work on the research and making this an easier task for me.

I sort of agree on this.... Too many mySpace users go WAY too heavy with the graphics and video clips all over thier pages... Like a Vegas slot machine on crack... But I find most people that use mySpace regularly tend to be more sensible about it... Anyway, not sure if I posted this before, but here is my... mySpace page link.

I couldn't tell you a single thing about fur felt hat blanks.... But going from "what I've heard" (so take this with a grain of salt), fur felt hats are MUCH nicer and wear better. Wool felt hat blanks are cheaper and more economical. Don't know if this has been of any help, but good luck with your new hat once you decide on one!

Bump. Hey Patrick Hand, would you mind editting your Pirate Clothing/Garb Index post to include this thread? I had some difficulty finding it at first. Thanks kindly!

Cool project, I can't wait to see some pics of the finished product. I'm not sure if using a plasma cutter would be a good idea. The heat from the plasma cutter might (as in probably) screw up the temper of the cutting edge of the axe. If you know how to re-temper the blade, no problem, but tempering blades is a fair bit more fussy than most people give credit to. Morgan, I think the fact that you didn't have access to a plasma cutter will work more to your advantage because of the temper issue... Grinders and power tools can heat the metal a bit, but usually not enough to screw with the metal's temper.

That is some amazing look gear Bo! Awesome stuff, I especially like the boarding pike, not too many people have one as a part of their impression, great touch!