Portuguese cannon that dates back to the 17th century.

Portuguese cannon that dates back to the 17th century.

https://timesofoman.com/article/225395

An 18th century Asian sword has been found on a Welsh riverbed!

© Provided by Independent Print Limited The sword features a distinctive wavy blade patterning that helped Mr Evans identify its origins (Gavin Evans)

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/%E2%80%9818th-century%E2%80%99-asian-sword-discovered-on-welsh-riverbed-by-local-boatman/ar-BBAMWG2?li=BBoPWjQ

The Kris sword has a distinct ornate bird on its handle, which may be made of bone (Photo: Carmarthenshire County Museum)

More information here: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/mystery-surrounds-asian-sword-found-12981767;

18th Century Colonial Militia Laws of Virginia

18th Century Colonial Militia Laws of Virginia 

…Every horse-man shall be furnished with a serviceable horse, a good saddle,… carbine or fusee, and bucket, holsters, a case of pistols, cutting sword or cutlass, double cartouch box, and six charges of powder…And every footman [as opposed to horse-man] shall be furnished with a firelock, musket, or fuzee, well fixed [in good order], a bayonet fitted to same, or a cutting sword or cutlass, a cartouch-box, and three cartridges of powder; and appear with the same at the time and place appointed for muster and exercise, as foresaid; and shall also keep at his house, one pound of powder, and four pounds of ball; and bring the same into the field, when he shall be required….

November 1738.

http://www.flintriflesmith.com/WritingandResearch/Research/militia_laws.htm

The Well Equipped Woodsrunner.

This post is just to encourage people to improve on their equipment when ever they have the opportunity. In our busy lives we can sometimes lose track of the things that are truly important to us, things that give us pleasure, and in some cases security. These things are worth spending time and money on when they are available.
Collecting things is fun, but be careful to distinguish between what you like to have in your possession and what you need to carry in your pack and on your person. There must be some compromise between minimum weight & maximum self-reliance.

The compass is probably not a necessity, but it can make life easier when moving in unknown territory. The angling tackle and flint and steel to me are a priority.

Knapsack equipped for a long stay in the woods, with the added market wallet, oilcloth secured under the flap closure, blanket roll containing extra clothing for winter use and spare moccasins. 

I very much doubt that woodsrunners carried much in the way of a medical kit, possibly some herbs. But I think that anyone who spends time away from home in the woods should carry a medical kit regardless. This kit of mine is very basic, but if I were travelling far long term, I would be packing a modern medical kit.

Shot pouch and contents. Make sure you have a ball mould & lead ladle for re moulding spent ball retrieved from shot game.

Patched ball was not commonly used in smoothbores, and at the rages in which I hunt I have no need for great accuracy, but I do carry two patched ball in a loading block for faster reloading if I should need it.

These tools, grease, spare flint leather and flints are carried in my shot pouch.

These spare lock parts and tools are carried in my knapsack.

Carrying a quality powder horn is essential, it does not have to be flash looking, but it does have to be serviceable. No leaks at spout plug or base plug, and the base plug should NEVER be glued. It should be sealed with beeswax only, and secured with metal pins.

One of three gunpowder bags that I can use to carry extra gunpowder should I need to. A lighter option than carrying extra powder horns. When empty I use this one to carry spare tinder for fire lighting.

Good blades are essential to wilderness living and survival. Choose wisely, only use them for their intended purpose and look after them.

Rifle or smoothbore long gun is your choice. Consider what type of game you are likely to be hunting, and the type of area you are likely to be hunting in. Also consider your capabilities regarding weight of the arm and your eyesight.

A good pistol for a back-up can be useful, and sometimes necessary. Choose a pistol that matches your longarm if you can, especially if it is a rifle. Other options are smoothbore pistols and you can carry shot. I carry a .62 caliber fusil, but my pistol is .70 caliber. However I can still use shot, and I can use a leather patched . 60 caliber ball in this pistol.
This is a left hand lock pistol, so I can carry it under my equipment belt on the right hand side. I am not left handed.

These two leather covered glass water flasks have proved to work very well. Not too heavy, and easy to accommodate in my pack and haversack.

I tend to alternate between carrying my kettle or my tin cup. The cup is obviously lighter, but the kettle holds more. I think that when travelling alone the tin cup suits my purpose better, & if I am in company, then someone else can carry the kettle!

I do carry other items such as soap, comb, whetstone, metal file, wooden spoon, awl, housewife sewing kit etc, but these are personal choices that some may not bother carrying.

The housewife sewing kit how ever does have other uses besides repairing clothing, shelter & packs. The needles are good for removing splinters and if necessary used to sew up a wound that can not be closed with a bandage. 

Interpreting The Militia Man. PDF.

http://www.fortdobbs.org/assets/BuildingAMilitiaImpression.pdf

Arms, Accouterments, Bayonets, Carriages. A Link.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/263586390/Arms-Accoutrements-Bayonets-Carriages

All Arms Training Weekend.

Adrien Rousset

24 February 19:29

ALL ARMS TRAINING WEEKEND
31st May- 1st June 2014
Ballarat Pollocrosse Grounds Vic

You can view photos of previous events at: www.dtroop15thhussars.com

Please pass this onto your groups, friends and potential recruits! Our apologies if you get this more than once, it is impossible to know who belongs to what web group! Interstaters and ALL periods welcome!

This will be a great weekend and the aim of it is for everyone to try everything. I know that you may be an ACW reenactor, Napoleonic reenactor or a Colonial reenactor but above all you are a REENACTOR. We all enjoy our great hobby because of the same reasons and have FUN, it does not matter what uniform you wear. We don’t expect you to join another period or even have the kit but just to have a go! This is a closed event, so no public and above all no authenticity police, kit is best effort! It’s about having a go; lots of loan kit will be available.

Imagine how great it will be to get 50-60 people on the field at the same time! So bring along all your spare kit and let’s see what we can really do when we all work together. So please: DO everything, bring an open mind, bring a sense of humor and bring all your spare kit!

There will be a small trader’s row so bring cash too!! We will also set up a Bring and Buy table if you want to bring kit to sell; just put a label on it with your name and price on and put the item on the Bring-and-Buy table.

Details:

PROBLEMS: Call Adrien Rousset on 0447476860

FRIDAY ARRIVALS: Before 1300hrs please call: Wayne Rigg on 0439577151

MEALS: Meals provided: Saturday: Lunch and Dinner. Sunday: Breakfast and Lunch. Tea and Coffee all day both days. Please bring your own crockery, cutlery and cups/tankards.

POWDER: There will be no time to roll cartridges so please bring LOTS! We will have TWO battles per day and lots of drill and fire manoeuvres so expect to fire 60-80 per day!! This is up to you to do; if you don’t bring it you can’t fire it! A Safety Brief will be given on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

EVENING EVENTS: OK prepare to have a party! Drinks will be available (for a donation) and several social activities will be available, Cards, Dice and Dancing! I will be teaching a “Period” Drinking Dice game for those brave enough!! Again HAVE A GO! If you play an instrument; bring it along!

FIRES: No fire pits! A barrel and firewood will be provided and lit for those who wish to stand outside, but the indoor area is heated.

HORSES: Horses from other groups are welcome by prior arrangement. Please contact Adrien on the details below. The site is a Pollocrosse Ground so plenty of Horse facilities and yards are available! Don’t forget to bring a modern Helmet for the initial drill session.

PROGRAM: This is VERY tight; so please be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there. If we have to wait for you, everyone misses out! I can’t stress enough please DO EVERYTHING!


SATURDAY

08.00am Arrive & set up camp etc.

10.00am Unit NCO’s brief meeting - Napoleonic Kit.

10.15am Parade, brief welcome & unit safety procedure checks.

10.30am Individual units drill, also combining with cavalry.

11.30am Morning Tea (provided) - Water Horses

11.50am Art, Inf, Cav Round Robin Training EVERYONE

11.50am Drill French - 20 min Including Square vs. Cav

12.10pm Drill English - 20 min Including Square vs. Cav

12.30pm Drill ACW - 20 min

12.50pm Cavalry - 20 min

1.10pm Groups Split - Skirmish Drill - Artillery - 30 min ea.

2.10pm Lunch (provided)

3.10pm Napoleonic Battle.

4.10pm Afternoon Tea (provided) - change into ACW kit

4.50pm ACW Battle

5.50pm Debrief (ALL). Flag lowering party.

6.05pm Clean weapons / Horses, Showers Change etc

6.50pm Dinner (provided)

7.50pm Socialising/entertainment. Dance - Cards - Dice - Song - Mess Games


SUNDAY

8.00 - 9.00am Breakfast (provided) in Napoleonic gear, NCO brief.

9.15am Parade, flag raising

9.30am Individual units drill

10.30am Battle, Type TBC.

11.30am Morning Tea (provided) - Change into ACW Kit - Water Horses

12.15pm Battle, Type TBC.

1.15pm Lunch (provided) - Debrief and feedback.

2.00pm Pack up, clean weapons & depart.


The event will be fully catered at a wonderful location (maps sent out closer to the event) that boasts plenty of room for each group to do its own thing, a large indoor heated area with kitchen and bar, camping, flushing toilets and HOT SHOWERS! There is plenty of room for camping and room for those who wish to throw a swag down in the indoor area (after the evening party!). Camping will be available from Friday (midday) until Sunday night.

A contribution of $30 will be requested from each person attending (including fence sitters) to cover venue hire and food (under 10s will be free). Each attendee is required to have Insurance and this will need to be shown, i.e. ALHF card or other proof.

Prepayment is necessary to calculate catering and MUST be made prior to the 20th May. Payment can be by:

Cheque made payable to: “D Troop 15th Hussars Vic” and sent to:

The Adjutant, D Troop 15th Kings Light Dragoons (Hussars), 32 Young
Street, Linton, Victoria 3360

Or bank Payment (stating your name and “All Arms Training “) to:

Bank: ANZ
Accnt Name: 15th Hussars (Vic) Inc
Accnt No.: 200794271
BSB: 013030

Contact person: Adrien Rousset, adrienrousset@googlemail.com 0447476860

HUZZAR!!!


Adrien Rousset



D Troop 15th Kings Light Dragoons (Hussars)
Honorary Colonel-in-Chief: Bernard Cornwell
Sponsored by "The Cavalry Workshop"
Part of the World Wide Cooperative of 15th Hussar Units
www.15thhussars.com www.dtroop15thhussars.com

What Provision is made for a Journey at Sea and what to carry with us for our use at Land

What Provision is made for a Journey at Sea and what to carry with us for our use at Land by William Wood from New-England's Prospect, being a true, lively and experimental Description of that part of America commonly called New-England, London 1639 Many peradventure at the looking over of these relations, may have inclinations or resolutions for the voyage; to whom I wish all prosperity in their undertakings; although I will use no forcive arguments to persuade any, but leave them to the relation; yet by way of advice, I would commend to them a few lines from the pen of experience. And because the way to New-England is over the sea, it will not be amiss to give you directions what is necessary to be carried. Many I suppose, know as well, or better than myself; yet all do not; to those my directions tend. Although every man have ship-provisions allowed him for his five pounds a man, which is salt beef, pork, salt fish, butter, cheese, pease pottage, water grewel, and such kind of victuals, with good biskets, and six shilling beer; yet it will be necessary to carry some comfortable refreshing of fresh victuals. As first, for such as have ability, some conserves, and good claret wine to burn [burnt wine is brandy] at sea; or you may have it by some of your vintners or wine-coopers burned here, and put up into vessels, which will keep much better than other burnt wine; it is a very comfortable thing for the stomach, or such as are sea-sick; sallad-oil likewise, prunes are good to be stewed, sugar for many things; white biskets, eggs, and bacon, rice, poultry, and some weather sheep to kill aboard the ship, and fine flour baked meats will keep about a week or nine days at sea. Juice of lemons, well put up, is good either to prevent or cure the scurvy. Here it must not be forgotten to carry small skillets, or pipkins, and small frying-pans, to dress their victuals in at sea. For bedding, so it be easy, and cleanly, and warm, it is no matter how old or coarse it be for the use of the sea; and so likewise for apparel, the oldest cloaths be the fittest, with a long coarse coat, to keep better things from the pitched ropes and planks. Whosoever shall put to sea in a stout and well-conditioned ship, having an honest master, and loving seaman, shall not need to fear but he shall find as good content at sea as a land... Now for the encouragement of his men, he [the head of a family with servants] must not do as many have done (more through ignorance than desire) carry many mouths and no meat; but rather much meat for a few mouths. Want of due maintenance produceth nothing but a grumbling spirit with a sluggish idleness; when as those servants be well provided for, go through their employments with speed and chearfulness. For meal, it will be requisite to carry a hogshead and an half for every one that is a labourer, to keep him till he may receive the fruit of his own labours, which will be a year and a half after his arrival, if he land in May or June. He must likewise carry malt, beef, butter, cheese, some pease, good wines, vinegar, strong-waters, &c. Whosoever transports more of these than he himself useth, the overplus being sold, will yield as much profit as any other staple commodity. Every man likewise must carry over good store of apparel; for if he come to buy there, he will find it dearer than in England. Woollen cloth is a very good commodity, and linen better; as holland, lockram, flaxen, hempen, callico stuffs, linsey woolsies, and blue callico, green sayes for housewife's aprons, hats, boots, shoes, good Irish stockings, which if they be good, are much more serviceable than knit ones; all kind of grocery wares, such as sugar, prunes, raisins, currants, honey, nutmegs, cloves, &c soap, candles, and lamps, &c. All manner of household stuff is very good trade there, as pewter and brass, for the use of that country; warming-pans and stewing pans be of necessary use, and good traffick there. All manner of iron wares, as all manner of nails for houses, and all manner of spikes for building of boats, ships, and fishing stages; all manner of tools for workmen, hoes for planters, broad and narrow for setting and weeding; with axes, both broad and pitching axes. All manner of augers, piercing bits, whip-saws, two handed saws, froes, both for the riving of pailes, and laths, rings for beetle heads, and iron wedges; though all these be made in the country (there being divers blacksmiths) yet being a heavy commodity, and taking but a little storage, it is cheaper to carry such commodities out of England. Glass ought not to be forgotten of any that desire to benefit themselves, or the country; if it be well leaded, and carefully packed up, I know no commodity better for portage or sale. Here likewise must not be forgotten all utensils for the sea, as barbels, splitting knives, leads, and cod-hooks, and lines, mackrel hooks and lines, shark-hooks, seines, or bass-nets, large and strong, herring nets, &c. Such as would eat fowl, must not forget their six foot guns, their good powder, and shot of all sorts; a great round shot called Barnstable shot, is the best; being made of a blacker lead than ordinary shot. Furthermore, good pooldavies [a heavy canvas] to make sails for boots, roads, anchors for boats and pinnaces, are good; sea-coal, iron, lead, and mill-stones, flints, ordnances, and whatsoever a man conceive is good for the country, that will lie as ballast, he cannot be a loser by it. And lest I should forget a thing of so great importance, no man must neglect to provide himself, or those belonging to him, his ammunition, for the defence of himself and the country. For there is no man there that bears a head, but that bears military arms; even boys of fourteen years of age are practiced with men in military discipline, every three weeks. Whosoever shall carry over drums and English colours, pattesons [spear that is carried in front of troops], halberds, pikes, muskets, bandeleroes, with swords, shall not need to fear good gain for them; such things being wanting in the country.

www.pilgrimhall.org Plymouth Harbour Settlement.

Amazing discovery!!! from the bottom of a well at Jamestown

To Clean the Brass of your Arms. A Link.

John Lambtons 68th Foot

http://lambtons.wordpress.com/2011/09/06/to-clean-the-brass-of-your-arms/

A Link To Some Very Early Muzzle-Loading Guns.

Ethnographic Arms & Armour Forum
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10306&highlight=hole+stock