HarborMaster

Looking forward to the photos. Congratulations Rats., You wont regret it., theres something about a rock scraping sparking steel that you just cant get in a modern cartridge., Good show man !

Just wondering about useful equipment for cross over personas should a story line require it.

A possibles bag may be the answer for you., essentially it is just a leather strap ., like a lighter duty baldric with a soft leather bag on it. That'll take care of your needs just fine. Check out the last of the mohicans for 2 hours of Blackpowder-Accoutrements. You can get., Powder-Primer-Patches-Balls-and even Moose-Milk and or Bore-Butter in there., probably a vent pik and a bore brush too..., Your gonna love this Musketoon!! Yes I said MOOSEMILK

Interestingly enough when Columbus discovered America in 1492..., he didnt. What he discovered was Hispanola.........,Haiti and the Dominican Republic ., I am surprised it is celebrated at all as an American holiday in the United States., rather than a Haitian holiday. I guess he found an Island in The North American Hemisphere .., amazing

Of course...., have they got a painting of Emma at the Huntington?

Cpt_Alva

Do you have any Middlesex trading village weapons? With all of this., talk about the lock speed and knowing what your doing to fix a Middlesex lock (thus voiding any warrantee....., they are warranteed so people dont have to do that., they replace and repair ., there good people)..., and this business about people with mixed feelings....., I am hoping you could shed more light on this.

Maybe tell us the names of those who are unhappy so they could elaborate more on this for us. I am sure Middlesex would be happy to help them out. It is in their best interest to do that.

I personally own several., Pete and Wendy at Middlesex have been very forthcoming on keeping their name good., I have heard nothing but good and have been treated well., The same can be said for Military Heritage (The Discriminaring General) and Loyalist Arms by the way.

I did have a licensed gunsmith mess up a Military Heritage lock for me..., and MH applied the money paid on the pistol toward a Blunderbuss...., 2 YEARS after the original purchase ! No Questions asked. And they do not have to warrantee something thats been piddled with...., but they did.., I find this to be outstanding behavour.

I have experience wiith all 3 dealers., my name is definitely in their computers. They are all good.. I see no differance.

My question is why the regular brush off of Middlesex and whats your experience with them., and can we hear from those who got hurt by their purchases from Pete and Wendy?

bear in mind, people here have mixed feelings about the company.......most people here are partial to "Loyalist Arms".....

I don't have any preference at the moment, but that could change once I finally have the money for the piece I've been eyeing, and have it in my hands.......

http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/NEW...EWmuskets.shtml

There's plenty of good, period arms there.....

they're made in India, but they often feature original (period) maker's marks, and stamps......

some complain about lock speed, but that's adjustable......if you know what you're doing......

By the way ., yes they are an Indian made gun., as are Military Heritage and Loyalist. If you would like an american made gun., get ready to lay out some real dough...., a good gun for a middle of the road price would be an Italian made weapon., Nothing wrong with an Indian made gun for 3 bills.

I'm impressed. Your definitely a do'er please keep us posted. Theres a few things there I would like to have ., we could start with that coat and red waist coat. Good Show Man !

This is not a pirate based topic and may not belong here ?., I recently went to Oregon and stopped in a Museum honoring Captain Gray.

After reading I began to realize in all the history we learn as children in the schools.,about patriots.,and explorers.,this is one I was never informed of.., maybe I was out doing something naughty that day?

Anyway out here on the west coast we are all pretty familiar with Lewis and Clark..., well before Lewis and Clark .,Captain Gray led the way.

He captained our beloved Lady Washington and the Columbia., He was almost killed by Indians ., sailed the Lady Washington as a single masted sloop before her refit and was infact quite the explorer.

Here is the Museums brochure you can read thru it for your enjoyment.

I love this stuff. Thanks for sharing this project !

The SCA started in our neighborhood then the ranch owners that have the property its held at wanted to expand it., now it ., "Fantasy Faire" ., the King and Queen show along with the Seattle Knights.,and everyone else shows too., It gets bigger each year., yea its a good idea to see whats expected at your local event., ours is kind of a do as you please now...., so we do. Pirates tried to take Noahs Ark lets not forget that., They laughed when he built his boat., then when the water got high., they all tried to take it over. Pirates have been around since the first time someone built something that floated...., someone tried to take it.

We dont have a many "Pirate Events" here so we go where ever we can., whenever we can....., which is not enough..., 6thats kinda why we are working toward doing our own thing.

Yes., its a good pistol. We have the 12" and the 9" barrel., and they are shooters.

If I pay to get in... So long as I behave me self, don't get naked, goose the queen and or shock the crowd by saluting with me lance... I figure they'll be happy to count my money at the gate. 

I feel the same way..., Well said.

Say hello to "Pinkie and Blueboy" for me aye !

No., not in reality. GAoP is to new for the tastes of SCA enthusiasts.,its a differant time period..,pirates would not have been with Kings and Queen.., of course Kings and Queens would not have been with fabled dragons.

Yes in 2006 and yes in fantasy...., ie Dragons and such. If they allow Dragons......., that pretty much opens the door to Fantasy.,at least here in Washington at our Renn Faire. People have come dressed as foliage ? Cats .,ect.,ext., all kinds of things......., there are pirates attending. Our local event is SCA., and they tolerate this for the extra revenue it brings in., its a topic thats been gone over a few times.

The best thing to do is check with your local event.

a cheap tricorn hat,pirate toys,pirate clothes and all on 1 website!

Hmmm.,, I take it from this post you mean to say stuff for children? I would probably look here for starters they have a variety of cheaper items and toys., party supplies ect..., Dead Men Tell No Tales

Good to know Loyalist has a US dealer too., I had to be extreme careful with that brass buss to get the breach out and drill., its always better to have it come ready to shoot., thats for sure!., Anything you buy from MH your going to have to drill.

That Ships carbine that we just recieved was Middlesex and it also was ready to go folks .., no drilling needed.

Yup its Annie in the Brass. I havent had a good experience with Cherrys., perhaps others have....,Dixie has been very prompt every time for me. Most Queen Annes will be Pedrosoli..., whom ever you order it from . The Pedrosoli is probably the best quality any of my flinters. Their machine work and parts interchangability is 2nd to none.

mmmm I dunno.,a Queen Anne is a tasty choice.,I wouldnt be without mine.,the dragoon is great but after ya get ta lookin at that Cannon shaped barrel on the Queen Anne it seems to become one of the favorites. Choose wisely...., then again.,later you can always choose more

It was probably Pre-Gastroel Insomnia., accompanied by Post Upper Abdominal Distinction., I would avoid a Rooter Man carrying a 6-Pak of Vaseline and a Spatula at all cost.., and be leary of a water jetter. Sleep with one eye open mate an keep a plunger within quik reach. Do you have any Blackpowder?

Thanks Kass and Patrick., I think I will take the Concord., I do like the uppers on them. I will look into the Barbara also., I wear an 8 1/2 they may work., I believe GoF ., or was it Foxe?., one was working on the Buckle....., now dont get me wrong everyone., I am not a convert

I am gonna get these ( I am looking forward to them) however., at night in our bar and stomping around the cannons on our beach head...., I may be seen in my boots too., cant help it., I think I am somewhere caught up in the middle.

Which Buckle would then be the appropiate one to choose? and which shoe do you think is the right one Kass.,the Legioneer.,the franklin or the concord? Being all about the same price it wouldnt matter.,howverthe Concord really lloks good. It would seem the legioeen might be better?

Sure her ya go Fugawee

I am sort of confused here. After all the discussions on correctness ..., why is a colonial shoe thru the civil war considered to be good to wear with a GAoP kit?

I dont mean to offend anyone., but now where on Fugawee do they Mention the GAoP other than Straight lasted was asole design. its not my words.., these are the words of Fugawee. Civil War-Colonial

.

"1758 or Ligonier Model. "

"The left/right Franklin is made of black calfskin. It has a normal heel and is leather lined. The toe is slightly squared but not square enough to limit the style to pre-1735. "

"The toe of the Concord is a little more round than the Franklin's, bringing the style closer to the shoes found at Ft. Ligonier. We took the pattern for the Franklin uppers and formed them over a last taken from an 1860's military shoe. "

I was just wondering if someone could help me with the connection between the GAoP and the Rev War ? I have been duly notified on more than one occasion that most all of my things are wrong and I would not want to buy some shoes that we adding to my problem.

Are Concords right for say 1680 thru 1720 ?

I realise a "Straight Lasted Shoe was the norm for a couple hundred years., but the uppers went thru some changes., no?

I considered a pair of the Concords to be honest with you all however., and I do think they would look great., I just think there is a double standard here or I am not reading this right and am happy to learn., its just it would seem Concord is about as post GAoP as a My boots are Pre-GAoP ?

John Flint

Where can I get one?

Loyalist Arms & Repairs

or

Military Heritage

or

Middlesex Village Trading Company

Middlesex is located in the U.S. and there fore already has the vent hole drilled for you., and comes ready to shoot.,the others you may have to drill the vent which is a simple task really.

Here is a Military Heritage Blunderbuss in a 15" Brass barrel. I am impressed., the Barrel is THICK., I took the breach out to drill the vent and grind a v into the plug..., yea its heavy duty I am happy.

And this of course is new too ., but will Rev War for ya., Its a Middlesex Trading Village Ships Carbine at .75 Caliber and belongs too Swifty Morgan.

ALL Middlesex's Rifles come with strap., and bayonet., except of course the Buss's

Myself I think I will be going for Middlesexs Original Land Bess based on the 1728 model. I know still 2 new....., I thought about their new and upcoming Arquebus (SlowMatch) and that still may be the ticket for me.

I have about 12 of these in 6 colors., but me favorites red :) I like them long ., you cangettem wet and they will keep ya cool.,you can slobber rhum on 'em an just about anything else and with a simple dive back into the water., there bright all over again.

Well sir I purchased Military Heritages Buss in a shorty and in Brass., I am REALLY HAPPY !

Also we purchased

Middlesex Trading Villages Ships Carbine (This one) It is not here yet and should be soon.

I will post a few pics of these as soon as the ships carbine come in., I am really looking forward to this.,as it is alot shorter to carry (I look pretty ridiculous at 5"7" standing next to a Brown Bess taller than me)

This gun http://www.loyalistarms.freeservers.com/br...t1778model.html Looks awesome to me and would be nexton my list if I can get the wife to believe I need it.

Anyone have one already??

The Buss or the Musket?

That would be a Yes. 2 both.

Doglocks no., I have Flintlocks. I prefer them after all they were an improvement. Bridled frizzens? yes again improvement. They may not all be historically correct for this year or that to within a mili second of the right place at the right time to this event or that., however all my guns are regular shooters and therefore I like state of the art flinters .

Most wouldnt know a flinter from a doglock anyway or for that matera "HorseLock" yes they had them too after the "WheelLock".

If going early to cover your butt is the point .,then I should have gotten a Hand Gonne.,and perhaps then worked up to an Arquebuse.

I got this from www.historyworld.net ...., please read on.

The most significant development in the story of warfare is the use of gunpowder to propel a missile. There has been much debate as to where the first experiments are made. Inconclusive and sometimes mistranslated references from early documents appear to give the priority variously to the Chinese, the Hindus, the Arabs and the Turks.

It is likely that the matter can never be resolved. The earliest incontrovertible evidence of artillery is a drawing of a crude form of cannon in a manuscript dated 1327 (now in the library of Christ Church, Oxford). There is a reference to a gun mounted on a ship in 1336, and the possibility of cannon of some kind in use at Crécy and Calais in 1346-7.

The problem confronting early makers of artillery is how to construct a tube strong enough to contain an explosion which will propel a missile out of one end (or, in other words, how to make a gun rather than a bomb). An early solution gives us our word 'barrel'. The tube is built up of metal strips welded to each other along their straight edges - just as a barrel is constructed of similar strips of wood. This rather fragile structure is given greater strength by being encased in a series of tightly fitting metal rings.

With luck, a round stone (or later a ball of cast iron) will hurtle from the open end of this tube when gunpowder is ignited behind it.

The laborious loading and firing of such weapons limits their effective use to sieges - either inside a castle defending an entrance, or outside lobbing heavy objects at the walls. The size of the missile rather than its speed is the crucial factor. A breakthrough in this respect, in the late 14th century, is the discovery of how to cast gun barrels from molten iron.

Cannon, during the next two centuries, become progressively larger. There are some impressive surviving examples. Mons Meg, dating from the 15th century and now in Edinburgh castle, could hurl an iron ball, 18 inches in diameter, as far as a mile. The even larger Tsar Cannon in Moscow, cast in 1586 with a bore of 3 feet, weighs nearly 40 tons. Mobility is not one of its features.

One of the most remarkable of early cannon is a proud possession of Mehmed, the Turkish conqueror of Constantinople. Before his final attack in 1453 he terrifies the inhabitants by trundling close to their city a massive 19-ton bombard of cast iron. It requires 16 oxen and 200 men to manoeuvre it into its firing position. Once there, it settles down to a slow but devastating bombardment. A stone weighing as much as 600 pounds can be lobbed against the great city walls. The rate of fire is seven stones a day.

In this same same year, at Castillon in France, another potential of gun power is demonstrated - in the effect of light artillery on the battlefield.

Hand guns: 14th - 17th century AD

Portable guns are developed shortly after the first cannons. When first mentioned, in the 1360s, such a gun is like a small version of a cannon. A metal tube, up to a foot long, is attached to the end of a pole about six feet in length - an early and very basic version of the barrel and stock of a rifle.

The gunner has to apply a glowing coal or a red-hot wire to a touchhole in the loaded barrel, and then somehow get far enough away from the explosion. There is clearly not much opportunity for rapid aiming. Most such weapons are probably fired by two men, or are carried to a new position and fixed there before being loaded and ignited by one.

Refinements follow surprisingly fast. During the 15th century the barrel of such weapons is lengthened, giving more reliable aim. The wooden stock acquires a curve, so that the recoil raises the barrel rather than driving backwards with full force. A length of rope known as a 'match' replaces the hot coal or wire for igniting the charge in the touchhole; it is soaked in a substance which causes it to burn with a steady glow.

And a device called a 'lock' is developed - a curving arm of metal which holds the glowing match and will plunge it into the touchhole, when a pull on a trigger releases a spring. The 'matchlock' becomes the standard form of musket until the arrival of the flintlock in the 17th century.

The flintlock: 16th - 18th century AD

From the middle of the 16th century there are attempts to ignite the powder in the pan of a musket by means of a spark rather than from an already burning match. The flintlock is poised to replace the matchlock.

In a flintlock the spark is created by striking a sharp flint obliquely against a surface of slightly roughened steel (the device is already in domestic use in the tinderbox). Just as the trigger in a matchlock brings down the smouldering match, so it now uses the same action to strike the flint down sharply above the pan with its charge of gunpowder.

European countries develop their own differing versions of the flintlock. The one which eventually becomes standard is designed in France in about 1610 - possibly by Marin Le Bourgeoys, whose name is on a flintlock in the private collection of Louis XIII.

The French flintlock has the advantage of a halfcock position (with the gun ready to fire but safe), and its method of directing the spark into the pan proves reliable. By the 18th century it is the standard musket throughout most of Europe and in the American colonies. Spanish armies are the only ones to retain their own variety of flintlock, known as the miquelet.

Cartridges: 17th - 19th century AD

The efficiency of the flintlock mechanism is accompanied by a similar improvement in the loading of a musket. In the early years of hand-guns the soldier carries a powder flask, from which he tips a small charge of gunpowder into the pan of the gun and then a larger quantity down the barrel - following it with a round metal ball and sufficient wadding to hold it in place, before ramming the whole charge tight with his ramrod.

During the 17th century time is saved by providing the soldier with the correct charge, together with the ball, wrapped in a paper tube - the whole package being called a cartridge.

On the battlefield the soldier bites off the end of the paper tube, tips a small amount of powder into the pan of his flintlock and then pours the rest down the barrel, following it with the remains of the cartridge (the ball and the paper) which he rams tightly home.

This remains the standard procedure on the battlefield as long as muzzle-loading muskets are in use. Only in the 19th-century does it finally become obsolete, supplanted by breech-loading guns and metal cartridges with internal percussion caps.