The Blunderbuss was commonly used as a defensive weapon on British, French, and American warships to repel would-be boarders. Most of these weapons are mid-sized, being smaller than most shoulder-fired arms, but larger than a pistol. Although fitted with a butt, the dimensions suggest that most were not really intended to be fired from the shoulder and were instead fired from the hip.
The compact dimensions of a blunderbuss would facilitate use in small spaces (e.g. on a ship, or in a house) and would also make storage easier. For those requiring an even smaller weapon, blunderbuss pistols were also produced, though these are now less common.
The blunderbuss was in use in the 17th century, and is the weapon most commonly pictured in the arms of the Pilgrims. Flintlock blunderbusses were also used by Catherine the Great's forces during foreign wars to expand Russia's territory.
The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Captain Morgan is more than just a guy on a bottle of rum
The 17th-century Caribbean privateer from Wales, Sir Henry Morgan was among England's most notorious and successful privateers. Known affectionately by bar-goers and Rum connoisseurs everywhere as Captain Morgan. It could be argued that Captain Morgan was a pirate, although most history references would list him as a privateer.
A privateer was a private warship authorized by a country's government by letters of marquee to attack foreign shipping. Strictly, a privateer was only entitled to attack enemy vessels during wartime. However, states often encouraged attacks on opposing powers while at peace, or on neutral vessels during time of war, blurring the line between privateering and piracy. Assuming Captain Morgan blurred those lines often, he was no stranger to The Blunderbuss.
The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.
A privateer was a private warship authorized by a country's government by letters of marquee to attack foreign shipping. Strictly, a privateer was only entitled to attack enemy vessels during wartime. However, states often encouraged attacks on opposing powers while at peace, or on neutral vessels during time of war, blurring the line between privateering and piracy. Assuming Captain Morgan blurred those lines often, he was no stranger to The Blunderbuss.
The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.
Flintlocks and a Pirate Cutlass
Flintlock pistols were so called because the lock uses a flint to strike sparks into the priming pan when the trigger is pulled. Flintlocks may be any type of small arm: long gun or pistol, smoothbore or rifle, muzzleloader or breechloader.
Flintlock is the general term for any firearm based on the flintlock mechanism. However, one of the more popular types is the French or India Flintlock pistol, with an engraved handle, long thing barrel and steel highlights. Very often pirates of the 18th century carried French flintlock pistols in their raiding exploits. During the pirates glory days, from approximately 1640s until the 1680s, you would be able to find a pirate carrying on his person a flintlock pistol and a cutlass or sometimes a combination of both.
The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.
Flintlock is the general term for any firearm based on the flintlock mechanism. However, one of the more popular types is the French or India Flintlock pistol, with an engraved handle, long thing barrel and steel highlights. Very often pirates of the 18th century carried French flintlock pistols in their raiding exploits. During the pirates glory days, from approximately 1640s until the 1680s, you would be able to find a pirate carrying on his person a flintlock pistol and a cutlass or sometimes a combination of both.
The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Pirates and Flintlock Pistols
Pirates and flintlocks go together like sharks and water. No self respecting swashbuckler would have been caught without a proper pistol by his side. Flintlocks can come in a variety of sizes and shapes, engraved with ivory, double barreled, antique brass or silver. What they all have in common is the classic look of a long, lean pistol with flint trigger action and effective targeting. This classic pirate weapon would be an excellent addition to anyone’s pirate collection.
Today’s replica pirate flintlock reproduction is similar to ones found in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Pirate Flintlock Pistol features wood stock detailed with skull & cross bones and a steel finish barrel. This practical 18th century French pirate flintlock does not boast much decoration, except for the skull and crossbones embossed into the handle. In contrast to the lean look of a classic flintlock, there is also the blunderbuss. This huge, intimidating weapon were particularly adapted to ship-based combat, where loading a pistol in the middle of an attract was as easy and conducting surgery on a moving bicycle.
The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.
Today’s replica pirate flintlock reproduction is similar to ones found in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Pirate Flintlock Pistol features wood stock detailed with skull & cross bones and a steel finish barrel. This practical 18th century French pirate flintlock does not boast much decoration, except for the skull and crossbones embossed into the handle. In contrast to the lean look of a classic flintlock, there is also the blunderbuss. This huge, intimidating weapon were particularly adapted to ship-based combat, where loading a pistol in the middle of an attract was as easy and conducting surgery on a moving bicycle.
The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The History and Evolution of World War I & II Helmets: Part IV
(continued)
In the Second World War, a Stahlhelm variant without the visor and rim was issued to paratrooper units.
The Stahlhelm with its distinctive "coal scuttle" shape was an excellent symbol for military imagery. It was a common element of military propaganda on both sides, just like the Pickelhaube before. After WWII, West Germany abandoned the distinctive Stahlhelm, which had become a symbol of German military aggression, using a variant of the more harmless-looking US Army "GI Pot" helmet instead. After the war, the West German police units kept the Stahlhelm in their inventories, though it was seldom worn, and the German Paratroopers variant was used for some time by the German Federal Police. German firefighters today still use Stahlhelm-shaped helmets in a fluorescent color. The Chilean Army still uses the Stahlhelm design for ceremonial purposes.
This is the final post of a 4 part series. I hope that you enjoyed the read.
Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality war time replicas.
In the Second World War, a Stahlhelm variant without the visor and rim was issued to paratrooper units.
The Stahlhelm with its distinctive "coal scuttle" shape was an excellent symbol for military imagery. It was a common element of military propaganda on both sides, just like the Pickelhaube before. After WWII, West Germany abandoned the distinctive Stahlhelm, which had become a symbol of German military aggression, using a variant of the more harmless-looking US Army "GI Pot" helmet instead. After the war, the West German police units kept the Stahlhelm in their inventories, though it was seldom worn, and the German Paratroopers variant was used for some time by the German Federal Police. German firefighters today still use Stahlhelm-shaped helmets in a fluorescent color. The Chilean Army still uses the Stahlhelm design for ceremonial purposes.
This is the final post of a 4 part series. I hope that you enjoyed the read.
Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality war time replicas.
The History and Evolution of World War I & II Helmets: Part III
(continued)
The Adrian helmet was a military helmet issued to the French Army during WWI. It was the first standard helmet issued to the French Army. Introduced in 1915, it served as a basic helmet of many armies well into 1930s. Initially issued to infantry, its modified versions were also issued to cavalry and tank crews. Its subsequent version, the M26, was adopted later and used during WWII.
The Brodie helmet was a steel helmet designed and patented in 1915 by John L. Brodie. The helmet had a shallow circular crown with a wide brim around the edge, a leather liner and a leather chinstrap. The helmet's "soup bowl" shape was originally designed to protect the wearer's head and shoulders from falling fragments. The shallow bowl design allowed the use of relatively thick steel that could be formed in a single pressing while maintaining the helmet's thickness. Although this made it more resistant to projectiles, the design offered less protection to the lower part of the head and neck than other designs. The steel helmet was known to the troops as a "tin hat" or for the officers a "battle bowler".
The M1 steel helmet was used by the US military for over 40 years. It was introduced officially during the WWII to replace the Brodie helmet but saw little action until 1942.
The M1 helmet is actually two helmets. The shell, which is sometimes referred to as the "steel pot", and the liner, which is made of various non-metal material, depending upon when it was made. The "steel pot" or shell cannot be worn by the soldier by itself. The liner can be worn by itself, or fit inside the shell and contains the suspension that ensures the helmet fits comfortably to the wearer's head. Worn alone, the liner can look very much like a full helmet. The liner is much lighter in weight and more flexible than the outer steel shell. The design of the M1 led to some novel uses. When the pot was separated from the liner it became a cooking pot, washbasin, bucket, shovel or a seat.
This post is 3 of a 4 part series. Please read on and enjoy. Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality war time replicas.
The Adrian helmet was a military helmet issued to the French Army during WWI. It was the first standard helmet issued to the French Army. Introduced in 1915, it served as a basic helmet of many armies well into 1930s. Initially issued to infantry, its modified versions were also issued to cavalry and tank crews. Its subsequent version, the M26, was adopted later and used during WWII.
The Brodie helmet was a steel helmet designed and patented in 1915 by John L. Brodie. The helmet had a shallow circular crown with a wide brim around the edge, a leather liner and a leather chinstrap. The helmet's "soup bowl" shape was originally designed to protect the wearer's head and shoulders from falling fragments. The shallow bowl design allowed the use of relatively thick steel that could be formed in a single pressing while maintaining the helmet's thickness. Although this made it more resistant to projectiles, the design offered less protection to the lower part of the head and neck than other designs. The steel helmet was known to the troops as a "tin hat" or for the officers a "battle bowler".
The M1 steel helmet was used by the US military for over 40 years. It was introduced officially during the WWII to replace the Brodie helmet but saw little action until 1942.
The M1 helmet is actually two helmets. The shell, which is sometimes referred to as the "steel pot", and the liner, which is made of various non-metal material, depending upon when it was made. The "steel pot" or shell cannot be worn by the soldier by itself. The liner can be worn by itself, or fit inside the shell and contains the suspension that ensures the helmet fits comfortably to the wearer's head. Worn alone, the liner can look very much like a full helmet. The liner is much lighter in weight and more flexible than the outer steel shell. The design of the M1 led to some novel uses. When the pot was separated from the liner it became a cooking pot, washbasin, bucket, shovel or a seat.
This post is 3 of a 4 part series. Please read on and enjoy. Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality war time replicas.
The History and Evolution of World War I & II Helmets: Part II
(continued)
The Pickelhaube was a spiked helmet worn in the 19th and 20th century by German military. The early Russian models had used the spike as a holder for a horsehair plume, but German models were unornamented from the start.
The basic Pickelhaube was made of hardened leather, given a glossy-black finish, and reinforced with metal trim that included a metal spike at the crown. Early versions had a high crown, but the height gradually was reduced and the helmet became more fitted in form. Some versions were worn by German artillery units employed a ball-shaped finial rather than the pointed spike. The Russian version initially had a horsehair plume fitted to the end of the spike, but this was later discarded in some units. The Russian spike was topped with a small ball, with the spike emerging from it.
Aside from the spike finial, perhaps the most recognizable feature of the Pickelhaube was the ornamental front plate, which denoted the regiment's province or state. The most common plate design consisted of a large, spread-winged eagle, the emblem used by Prussia.
This post is 2 of a 4 part series. Please read on and enjoy. Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality replicas.
The Pickelhaube was a spiked helmet worn in the 19th and 20th century by German military. The early Russian models had used the spike as a holder for a horsehair plume, but German models were unornamented from the start.
The basic Pickelhaube was made of hardened leather, given a glossy-black finish, and reinforced with metal trim that included a metal spike at the crown. Early versions had a high crown, but the height gradually was reduced and the helmet became more fitted in form. Some versions were worn by German artillery units employed a ball-shaped finial rather than the pointed spike. The Russian version initially had a horsehair plume fitted to the end of the spike, but this was later discarded in some units. The Russian spike was topped with a small ball, with the spike emerging from it.
Aside from the spike finial, perhaps the most recognizable feature of the Pickelhaube was the ornamental front plate, which denoted the regiment's province or state. The most common plate design consisted of a large, spread-winged eagle, the emblem used by Prussia.
This post is 2 of a 4 part series. Please read on and enjoy. Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality replicas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)