Where do you draw the line?

[OldMaineWoodsman]

Yes, the overweight NCO at reenactments (fill in the time period here) who never actually served in the military. Barks orders, calls everyone a farb, complains about the lack of 100% percent authenticity, and the decline of standards and enforcement since "the old days."

Points out grooming standards and infractions while pulling and tying his long hair under his helmet because "I have a Rev War event next weekend."

Will be seen at some point behind the bunker/tent brushing his teeth with a pink, day-go colored toothbrush.

First in line for chow while asking everyone else why they are not manning the line. Self-appointed Historian yet has no formal education beyond high school.

Won't STFU about the current state of the country, despite sending out an email the week prior to the event warning of strict adherence to our historical impression.

Takes the fun out of the whole event then wonders why attendance is low. Gets voted out as NCO at the next event, leaves and starts a new unit...

Lol. I miss it in many ways...

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I guess I have had too many altercations with HC/PC guys.
When the topic comes up so do my hackles. Mostly because their rigs were perfect and everyone else was a poser. The guys with perfect camps and rigging often had secrets like coolers in wooden boxes. CPAP machines that they turned on after everyone else was asleep.
Others set up their perfect camps and slept in a 5th wheel a mile away.
I'm the guy who could care less. I don't care what a guy uses. But if a guy is patting him self on the shoulder about how HC/PC he is then be it. Don't cheat.

Many guys that are HC/PC condemn my rifles. Even moderators on this site have came forward with this Righteous condemnation knowing full well that my rifles and load are within the rules of this site.
They look at my rifles as being unfair to hunt against.

The original post makes me laugh. Many HC/PC guys condemn a guy for something, but at the same time claim the high road because they locked the electronic key in their truck with a push button entry system.

They hide CPAP machines, and coolers but condemn a coffee cup that isn't HC/PC.
I've been around HC/PC reinactors. I've seen their secrets.
Every HC/PC guy has their secret. And because they believe that their level of cheating is acceptable.
The car key in their pocket is okay because it's not electronic. Or the CPAP machine is okay because they need it to get a good night's sleep, and it's not seen in camp.

I get where you're at, and have run into such characters myself..., yes they are annoying...But...,

Seems that your standard for "cheating" is your definition of HC, and means they can't even drive to an event, or else they are then not 100% and thus are cheating? HC isn't the same as being Vegan, eh where if the Vegan knowingly has a bit of real cheese then they aren't Vegan anymore?

Can't have a CPAP ..., does that mean insulin is cheating too ???

I don't like double standards either. I know several fellows that fall into the HC Police category. One, complained that tents shouldn't have tent pole pins protruding up through the ridge pole and no finnials on them either, and was correct so we complied, but then was upset that we didn't all put patches over the tent-pole-pin-holes in the tents (which only folks over 7' tall might see). The same guy complained about certain buttons on coats, while his wife was standing next to him at the event with modern earrings and fingernail polish (remove the plank from thine own eye before tending to the speck of dust in mine, eh?) Another fellow complained about the tents not being made of linen canvas as was his..., and hand sewn to boot...., wanted everybody to switch over and got quite miffed when nobody complied. (Had to point out that most sites require flame retardant tents and his idea was not, nor was his tent )

LD

 

[French Colonial]

Wow, 11 pages, and mostly positive as it was meant to be.
Fellow shooters reflecting on the choices they make for themselves and not judging others.

Upon reflecting myself, I have evolved several times over the years, serious hunter, competitive target shooter, and reenactor and in no particular order going back and forth between them over time.

I have been extremely lucky during my reenacting phases that the group I was with were not the HC/PC police and really were just fascinated with history and the many stories that were largely unknown and that we shared knowledge of. The time of the French in the heart of North America being mostly ignored in history I find fascinating.

I hope that instead of judging others we can just encourage others to explore this great hobby no matter where it takes them and what their favorite firearms happens to be.

Except those inlines which are an abomination! (Just kidding!!!!)

 

[Howard Pippin]

Undoubtedly the place where the club is and the size of the club has a lot to do with muzzleloader clubs. Here in central Montana, one club is about 50 miles and the next one is hundred and 20, and I don't know where the next is so we don't hear too much complaining. I've never met a homely woman, some are just prettier than others. I never saw a rifle that I didn't like, I just like the ones I own the best.
Squint

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I stopped re enacting when some %$* know it all started whining about the thread count in other peoples shirts not being correct. If you have the $$4 to waste on a period correct shirt, hand made by Alsatian Monks in Timbuktu great. I don't really give a rats butt. The purpose was to get people together to have fun and try and understand what ti was like living in that time period. But, Like most events, there are always a few that turn it into "how much money " they spend. I have ben in so many different types of matches, etc where it was all about the money and how much so and so spent on their custom "race" gun. Ask me if I care? If you start down that path, and its easy to do in M L too, because you "built" your rifle or its made by so & so, then you have really lost the whole idea of what ML is and should be. IMHO. I do not care if you shoot a rifle built by Martin, C. Edwards , House, Bamberg or a CVA kit, just shoot! Just one mans opinion.

 

[Bob McBride]

I’m no stitch counter, but I personally prefer a thing that is HC/PC to a thing that is not….I know that to many guys this traditional BP stuff is just a novel variation of the modern hobby of shooting and hunting that they love and I think that’s just dandy. I find I avoid cricks in my neck by not looking up or down at other people and how they look at stuff like that. My position is, I don’t care what you do, and in cases where I’m ‘less than’ or ‘more than’ the other guy, in regards to cost, correctness, or whatever, I don’t care a lick about that either. I think those who get fired up either for or against anything are more alike than they might like to admit. Like a good Brit, I save my disdain for ‘enthusiasm’ in all its tiresome forms, and I only look down my nose at those who measure their own worth by the length of another guys barrel.

 

[Okie Hog]

Could care less about HC/PC. i simply love to hunt and shoot with muzzleloaders, both kinds.

 

[Newtire]

Agreed, any time soon they'll be lauding the praises of plastic "Flintlocks" and Pink synthetic "authentic" Stocks.

Davy Crockett once said, "Pink Nylons belong on tavern ladies, not in making P/C gunstocks!"

 

[tenngun]

I get where you're at, and have run into such characters myself..., yes they are annoying...But...,

Seems that your standard for "cheating" is your definition of HC, and means they can't even drive to an event, or else they are then not 100% and thus are cheating? HC isn't the same as being Vegan, eh where if the Vegan knowingly has a bit of real cheese then they aren't Vegan anymore?

Can't have a CPAP ..., does that mean insulin is cheating too ???

I don't like double standards either. I know several fellows that fall into the HC Police category. One, complained that tents shouldn't have tent pole pins protruding up through the ridge pole and no finnials on them either, and was correct so we complied, but then was upset that we didn't all put patches over the tent-pole-pin-holes in the tents (which only folks over 7' tall might see). The same guy complained about certain buttons on coats, while his wife was standing next to him at the event with modern earrings and fingernail polish (remove the plank from thine own eye before tending to the speck of dust in mine, eh?) Another fellow complained about the tents not being made of linen canvas as was his..., and hand sewn to boot...., wanted everybody to switch over and got quite miffed when nobody complied. (Had to point out that most sites require flame retardant tents and his idea was not, nor was his tent )

LD

At some point no impression can be truly HC.
Medical devices, or medication should not stop one from attending.
One can get period eyeglass frames, but how common was corrected vision in our period? before WW one glasses weren’t common.
One gets a Rice barrel and a Chambers lock you can turn out a bench copy, however tge origanal was a hand forged iron barrel.
So you pay big bucks and get all hand done , how was the iron mined, not hc I’ll bet.
Salt pork and beans for dinner? Big plate of corn bread on the side, good eats. But that breed of pig didn’t exist then and chances are the same can be said for your corn.
How’s your pepper or nutmeg compare to spices shipped up yo a year in a wooden hull, not stored under the best conditions , then trans shipped to your current area compare to todays fresh spice?
High and mighty British office walking the camp? Hc coat? Dyed wig bugs, or some chemical dye, it sure isn’t proper wool, as those sheep breeds are gone

 

[Rock Home Isle]

…in the sand with a pointy stick

Couldn’t help myself…I have issues

 

[oldwood]

It's been great fun learning the old ways , why quit now???

 

[Bob McBride]

At some point no impression can be truly HC.
Medical devices, or medication should not stop one from attending.
One can get period eyeglass frames, but how common was corrected vision in our period? before WW one glasses weren’t common.
One gets a Rice barrel and a Chambers lock you can turn out a bench copy, however tge origanal was a hand forged iron barrel.
So you pay big bucks and get all hand done , how was the iron mined, not hc I’ll bet.
Salt pork and beans for dinner? Big plate of corn bread on the side, good eats. But that breed of pig didn’t exist then and chances are the same can be said for your corn.
How’s your pepper or nutmeg compare to spices shipped up yo a year in a wooden hull, not stored under the best conditions , then trans shipped to your current area compare to todays fresh spice?
High and mighty British office walking the camp? Hc coat? Dyed wig bugs, or some chemical dye, it sure isn’t proper wool, as those sheep breeds are gone

And most importantly, following that logic, it’s 2022. All the constellations in all the wrong places and us walking around with our mouths full of fancy teeth….

 

[colimr]

As a relative new comer I observed ,many long time members are HC/PC truests which I find amazing because of the knowledge and dedication they have...BUT, some new members who are new to ML join to gain knowledge of the form,function and use of their new interests .Some have ZERO access to local clubs or other ML shooters .If you spend hours and days on the internet it can provide a vast amount of information but without the human experience it's just words on a screen.Because We don't shoot 100 year old weapons or dress like Davey Crockett or Jack Hinson but many enjoy sharing and learning from those who accept us as fellow ML enthusiasts. Please don't shun us for not being HC/PC but teach us the history of this great country and the ML history so we may also pass it on and keep it alive.

 

[Bob McBride]

As a relative new comer I observed ,many long time members are HC/PC truests which I find amazing because of the knowledge and dedication they have...BUT, some new members who are new to ML join to gain knowledge of the form,function and use of their new interests .Some have ZERO access to local clubs or other ML shooters .If you spend hours and days on the internet it can provide a vast amount of information but without the human experience it's just words on a screen.Because We don't shoot 100 year old weapons or dress like Davey Crockett or Jack Hinson but many enjoy sharing and learning from those who accept us as fellow ML enthusiasts. Please don't shun us for not being HC/PC but teach us the history of this great country and the ML history so we may also pass it on and keep it alive.

I agree. While not being a big problem in the Traditional Muzzleloader community per se, it’s a problem over time when any group gets together with the goal of sharing information. A certain percentage of the old salts get crotchety and elitist to prop up what’s left of their dwindling masculinity and the rest get tired of cleaning the mess those old buzzards have made of welcoming the new folks. The susceptibility towards tyranny of the hierarchical structure, some might call it. I’d say this community is much better than most in that regards and you’ll always find ten patient answers for every sourpuss perched on their branch ready to bless you with their snark. Ask away. Lots of the helpful, patient type roam these halls…..

 

[tenngun]

And most importantly, following that logic, it’s 2022. All the constellations in all the wrong places and us walking around with our mouths full of fancy teeth….

And heads full of knowledge. We can’t unlearn what we know. We can’t look at the world though their eyes.

 

[Bob McBride]

And heads full of knowledge. We can’t unlearn what we know. We can’t look at the world though their eyes.

No we can’t. Which reminds me of those awful pictures of those adults wearing diapers laying in giant cribs sucking pacifiers and saying they ‘identify’ as babies. No, you don’t. You have no knowledge of what it’s like to have a head full of nothing and no clue what that warm stuff in your diaper is.

 

[colimr]

No we can’t. Which reminds me of those awful pictures of those adults wearing diapers laying in giant cribs sucking pacifiers and saying they ‘identify’ as babies. No, you don’t. You have no knowledge of what it’s like to have a head full of nothing and no clue what that warm stuff in your diaper is.

You sure look at unusual pictures LMAO

 

[Bob McBride]

You sure look at unusual pictures LMAO

I saw it on the news or in an article years ago and have since had problems unseeing it.

 

[colimr]

HA HA HA

 

[cannonball1]

Here in Utah HC/PC's were called buckskinners after the mountain men of old. I hardly dare say it, but I always shot a PC rifle and camo when hunting deer. Hunted with a couple of friends who were BS(buckskinners) and had TP(teepee's). I had a trailer. I referred to them as "Hippies with a cause".