Saturday, January 31, 2015

Le Chevalier discourses regarding his British Infantry Rifle

The Quest for a British Infantry Rifle, end of chapter one
So, I started my Quest for a British Infantry Rifle and the kit to go with over two and a half years ago.
Here are the links for the first two installments, originally published on the Gentlemanly Pursuits blog:
I did indeed receive my rifle soon after that last posting, so just over two years ago. There was a bit of a problem with the hardness of the frizzen and angle of the hammer, but local gunsmith Jerry Cook fixed these in short order.
I switched from the officers' style cartridge box to an other ranks box. I did this mostly for conveniance, but also for more usable storage space. I am not firing from paper cartridges, but I do carry enough ball, patch and powder to fire 60+ rounds before restocking.
I fire a .610” round ball with a 0.015” patch and a powder charge of 80 grains of 3F. Most of the people I shoot with shoot 40-50 caliber, so it is pretty noticeable when the Baker goes off. We were shooting to snuff candles a couple months back and the turbulence caused by the .610” ball sometimes put out two candles.
So, chapter one is done. I have the rifle and kit and am shooting regularly.
The next step I decided on was to pick a proper uniform to wear while shooting. The obvious choice would be 60th or 95th rifles, but as much fun as the greenjacket would be, that would be too easy.
The Chasseurs Britanniques was originally the French Royalist army led by the Prince of Conde in the early days of the French Revolution. By 1803 they were in British service as the Chasseurs Britanniques and issued the famous red coats. Evidence suggests that like some of the other emigre units in British service (King's German Legion for one) that the Chasseurs may have been issued Baker rifles, at least for the light company. Well, that is where I am going. Starting at the top I have my shako with proper insignia.
~ Chevalier

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Le Chevalier discourses on Sutlers, Seamstresses, & Swords

Good afternoon to our Gentlemen readers,

This is a reposting of an blog article published on The Fox & Thimble.  Enjoy!

Sutlers, Seamstresses, and Swords
  

I bought a pair of Fugawee Paul Revere boots back in February 2012 (so almost 3 years ago). A couple of months ago I went to wear them and noticed that the sole was becoming separated from the upper. I contacted Fugawee to see if they did repairs. Instead they promptly sent me a brand new pair of boots and paid shipping both ways. Now that is what I call customer service! 
 So, Theo made me a nice, new waistcoat and we decided I needed a Cobb Creek Hunting Coat to compliment it. I sent them a swatch of the waistcoat material and they promptly returned a recommended fabric plus half a dozen other choices if I did not like that one.
So, I ordered the coat on the 3rd, it was done and shipped by the 17th, and I received it on the 19th. Excellent fit, well made and it even has inside pockets – very useful when shooting.
A good friend of mine in Medford, Oregon runs Castille Armoury. Castille produces historically accurate hilts and blades, they can pretty much make anything you want. I have been exclusively buying hilts from him for many years (pre-dating the Castille Armoury name) and exclusively buying blades from him for the last couple of years. He is working on a more accurate sabre simulator and gave me a call today to borrow a couple of my pieces for research.
Also on the subject of swords, William Wilson's long awaited Bolognese Sidesword book came out last month. This is a sort of sequel to his Italian Rapier book “Arte of Defence.” Neither of these are straight translations, instead they are a very useful introduction and overview of the systems discussed.
“16th Century Single Sword Combat:”
“Arte of Defence,” 2nd edition:
“Arte of Defence,” 1st edition:
– Chevalier