Search results

Notchy Bob, I've seen the seax looking dirk in a similar looking photo, but the description calls it one of four in a set of Gralloching (Hunting) knives as shown, with one of the set was actually an antler handled cleaver, of all things. Another photo described the knife third from left in...

Notchy Bob, Perhaps the Illustration you mean is the one I used years ago and copied/pasted here again? We also have to remember that Biodags (Dirks) were intended as personal defense weapons, not for normal "knife" applications. The 18th century Scots had different designs for their...

Dirk carried by Ensign Peter Grant, 42nd Foot, at Ticonderoga, 1758 https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?q=searchType%3Dsimple%26resultsDisplay%3Dlist%26simpleText%3D42nd&pos=2&total=55&page=1&acc=1998-01-15-1 Gus

Michael is the KY gunsmith, whose name I couldn't remember. Thank you! Gus

The emboldened text explains the "factory system" set up in England for many trades and is why most colonial gunsmiths may have only made one entire gun from scratch in their careers, to become a journeyman. They could not compete with how cheap ready made guns could be imported from Europe...

PS "Gunstocker" was a common term throughout England during the 18th century and probably before that. That because gunmaking was broken down into 13 to over 20 specialized "sub trades" that concentrated on making or only doing part of making entire guns. By concentrating on a part of the...

Durs Egg (1745–1822) was a Swiss-born British gunmaker, noted for his flintlock pistols and for his company's production of the Ferguson rifle. Egg was apprenticed in Solothurn and Paris and to get religious freedom, he originally planned to emigrate to the American colonies after the religious...

The following is a link to a pretty good source if you want original tools OR if like me you don't mind buying 19th or even 20th century tools that were still made the same as in the 18th century...

Not knowing better at the time, in 1972 I purchased "buckskin color" cowhide splits from Tandy and made a hunting pouch from it. The pouch was too soft and always folded up whenever I tried to get something out. Wound up using it just as a storage pouch. You may find the following link...

Yep, should have mentioned that. Thanks for the reminder. Gus

Though this chart was made to use with a certain WWII era unmentionable rifle, it still works well for ML long arms as well. https://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg243/abnjaildog/StringingAssist.jpg Gus

In a way, the British Army in the 18th century was known for modifying the appearance of their issued King's Muskets and not long after they were issued: According to: "A System for the Compleat Interior Management and Oeconomy of a Battalion of Infantry" (which was first published in the...

Dave, As I'm sure you know, original Iron/Steel rammers were actually made of two pieces. The "rod" of the rammer was made out of steel so it could be hardened/tempered and spring back when bent during the loading or cleaning process. The Button was made of Dead Soft Iron, both to save money...

PathfinderNC said: “If one is referring to a bag or sack to carry all the rest of one's little items, how about,,,, market wallet, split pouch, shoulder bag, snapsack,,,,, or maybe in this case "possibles bag" might apply,,,,, maybe.” Go with “Haversack” 😉 In the 18th and 19th century to the...

Or how about Swooshboomundkrachen? Frau Kissler, my 10th and 11th grade German teacher, would be slapping me over the head at this point. Gus

Personally when shooting a Flintlock, I prefer referring to it as Flintschiessengefarfegnugen. Yeah, it's sort of made up and sort of not, but trying saying THAT five times quickly. At International Shooting Competitions, it cracked up members of both the Swiss and German teams. LOL Gus

First of all, congratulations on your purchase. The actual bore size of your musket should run around .752" to .754" and I most strongly encourage you to have it checked with calipers that read to .001". When these questions come up, it is often pointed out that the original ball size used...

Thanks Dave, Again, very interesting. Gus

Hi Nock, In addition to what Dave mentioned, I would add the rather extensive inspections Cuthbertson highly recommends before accepting new arms for a Regiment. Though arms were damaged in shipment then as now, it strongly suggest problems Cuthbertson and others had to deal with in earlier...

Hi Joseph, If your primary goal is to be a reenactor, you should know most units prefer you have a "3 Band" or FULL length musket like the Springfield or 3 band Enfield. This because you can be in the rear rank at reenactments and the muzzle of the Rifle Musket goes further beyond the man in...