Priming Flash Illustration

Below is an illustration by Jacob De Gheyn II of a powder flask from the Historic Jamestown website. Hmmm.... I wonder how hard it would be to make one of those things?

17th Century Powder Flash

Searching for 17th century powder flasks I came across this little critter at Send Armory for $33. This would make a nice addition to one of the English charge bandoliers.

Bandolier and powder charges

After reading the Pirate and Buccaneer books it appears that I'll be needing an appropriate bandolier with wooden powder flasks. Upon further research these things are really hard to come by. I've found three vendors constructing sets for English Civil War reenactment and they aren't inexpensive. Considering the amount of manual labor involved in crafting the leather strap, pouch and wooden flasks I suppose the prices are appropriate.

The Gatling Gun produces a handmade set in the U.S. composed of leather bandolier, 10 wooden charges, 1 wooden priming flask and leather shot pouch for $275. A small oil bottle would have to added to this set.

Tattershall Arms, another U.S. vendor, produces a set including a leather bandolier, 10 wooden charges, 1 wooden priming flask and a leather shot pouch for $135. Their website is very undeveloped so I'm not sure if they are still in business.


Bandoliers in the UK produce a variety of bandoliers and charges. The charges can be had in plain wood, painted wood, leather wrapped, and wood with metal cap. Prices range from $135 - $245. I converted the price from UK pounds to US dollars. They also have accessories for the bandolier sets including oil bottles. I'd love to get a set of the leather wrapped charges.

Buccaneers 1620-1700

Finished reading Buccaneers 1620-1700 by Konstam and McBride. I suppose I should have read this before Pirates 1660-1730, but one can't always be chronological. Again, a good quick read with great illustrations by McBride. I can't help but laugh at how geopolitics really haven't changed all that much over the past 400 years.

Pirates 1660-1730

Finished reading Pirates 1660-1730 by Konstam and McBride. Good, quick read typical of the Osprey books. McBride's illustrations are wonderful. I just wish there were more of them. Capt. Grimstock lent me the book so as to set myself firmly in the piratical world.

Huge Anglo-Saxon gold hoard found

Tis a day i be wish'n me a farmer than a pirate! Landlubbers plunder a farm field for ancient booty.

The UK's largest haul of Anglo-Saxon treasure has been discovered buried beneath a field in Staffordshire.
Experts say the collection of 1,500 gold and silver pieces, which may date to the 7th Century, is unparalleled in size and worth "a seven figure sum".

Portland Pirate Festival 2009

Many a plunder'n and merry making to be had at the Pirate Festival. So many pirates to be found that you couldn't toss a stone without hit'n one! Such a sight was to be found that the gentlemen of the Guinness Book proclaimed a record to be had as evidenced by the 1651 pirates. Beat'n the bloody english record of 1,467 pirates in one place.

Portland Pirate Festival