Hawkyns

They are not sandbags, they are the hammocks of the sailors, rolled and put into the nets on the top of the bulwarks. They were put there to clear them out of the way, and for use in stopping bullets, shrapnel and splinters, as well as to make boarding more difficult. Hawkyns

Hey Christine, welcome back! Where ya bin? hawkyns

Thanks, Bo. Yeah, that's what I was finding, too. Damn, I really like the shape of that catalan stock. Hawkyns

I'm working on bringing my impression back to a 1670-80 date. One of the reasons is that I prefer the matchlock to the flintlock, and the match fits much better into the early timeframe. I've also been fascinated by the escopeta for a bunch of years. Is there any documentation for a matchlock escopeta or are they all miquelets and flints? I've got a lock and barrel, just need to make a stock, but I don't want a fantasy piece. So documentation before I start cutting wood. Hawkyns

I'd rate it by the size of the charge, not the bore. 200 grains or less, and I'd treat it like a musket. Over that and I'd consider it a cannon. the noise made would depend on the length of the barrel, type of breech, iron or bronze, etc.. so the amount of powder needed to make a respectable bang would not neccesailry corelate to the bore size. Hawkyns Master Gunner

Well. bugger! That's the weekend that the Half Moon is coming to CT and we're doing a 1609-1654 encampment with her. No Lock House again. Hawkyns

By any chance do you have one for Elizabeth I or Charles II? Hawkyns

http://www.hmsrichmond.org/images/Gun%20exercise.pdf This is the one I use for later period, with, of course, modifications for modern safety regs. Hawkyns

Won't make it this year. They changed the date so it would not conflict with Easter, and so made it conflict with one of our standard events. I really wish sites would not bugger their schedules about because of religious holidays. Hawkyns

A a couple of years ago, I found a brass dragon headed linstock at a sutler's booth. Like everything else these days, it was made in India. they are around, but don't seem to show up on google searches. That one, BTW, was the same one used in POTC 3, don't know which came first, the movie or the linstock. For earlier types, the wooden ones with the slot, google the Mary Rose linstocks. Or you vould do as I've also done, go to a reenactor blacksmith and have him custom make one for you. Hawkyns

Patrick, that looks very similar to the 30 round French giberne here http://www.thequartermastergeneral.com/?category=leather_goods&morepics=true&id=803 I'm in the process of making one for my 1685 kit. It's very similar to the illustrations for the Brit one of the same era. Here is a source showing pulverins and gibernes from the various periods. The giberens are on page 33-34. It's in French, but the info is well illustrated. http://www.reenactor.ru/ARH/PDF/Eq_Mil_Petard_1.pdf Hawkyns

Thank ye, All!! I raise my jack of rum to all o' ye. It is good to hae friends such as ye. Hawkyns

Hmmm..... The first grown up, full length movie I saw was Zulu. I was 8. This may explain some things....... Hawkyns

Jon it's that fine line, one of those 'you know it when you see it', sort of things. The standards are different for the two festivals. We in the fort are more interested in the historical side of things, trying to show more reality in our camps and dress, etc. We actually live in the tents and have more of a community atmosphere. The vendors out at PiP are perhaps less concerned with accuracy and the people and crews are more scattered. PiP vendors sell plastic eyepatches and gee gaws for the kiddies and tourists (as well as some other good stuff). FTPI vendors are selling supplies for reenactors. This makes it sound like some great superiority thing. It isn't. The PiP is more focused on the family festival, the tourist, and the person that just wants to have a good time. In the FTPI living history displays, we are doing more teaching, more in depth stuff, and things that are more geared to the person with more than a passing interest. Goddess Help me, PLEASE nobody take offense at this. It is a genuine attempt to show the differences between the two festivals, not some attempt to make trouble. Problem is that when you do try and show differences, somebody will always take umbrage, thinking that it is some kind of insult where none is intended. Hawkyns

Sounds like a good idea, Hurricane. If we use FTPI when we talk about it, here and on other boards and in conversation, it will up the visibility. There is diversity, and what we do is different from what was happening on Truman Wharf. The more we can separate the two names, the more we should be able to generate interest to come and see what we are doing and to get people to seek us out. Stynky, I'm in favour of splitting the topics. How about we name the overall section Key West Pirate Festivals and then have 2 separate subheadings, one for FTPI and another for PiP? Hawkyns

ENOUGH! I will not let this degenerate any further. Be nice or I will remove the topic. Hawkyns, Moderator

No problem, Beowoulf. I'll bring leather and dye and we'll see what we can do. I cut belts to size so as long as I have a long enough hide, we should be fine. I'll be there at opening bell, 8am on Thursday, so look me up. Hawkyns

Sorry, no pictures. I'm a luddite when it comes to this stuff. Since I leave for PiP in 36 hours (making 3 stops on the way down), I won't have time to get tech help in. Hawkyns.

They start at 70 for a basic short cutlass with scabbard and baldric, up to 150 for the fancy with the horn and shellguard hilt, with scabbard. I also have a couple of court swords for the captains and gentlemen among us. Hawkyns