I was trying to think of things that would be a good addition to any kit and came up with fire starters. I know armies had fire marshalls and such but I think trying my hand at making a period fire would be entertaining. Do any of you know where I could purchase one or what they looked like circa 1500? I was also wondering what other little things, not often discussed, might one include in a period kit?


(I'm sorry if this is to off topic go ahead and delete it)

Ryan;

A strike-a-light kit was suggested as a standard bit of equipment for all "Shotte" armed with matchlocks, but needless to say not all of them carried them. But most Buckskinners do, so there is a healthy trade in them now a days. Here's one source, from "Track of the Wolf":

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/categories/part...TRIKER-KIT

There are countless other suppliers of these, and if you manage to hit a Black Powder shoot or rendezvous in your area, I would suspect that a number of vendors will have them available for you.

There ARE some minor differences between an 18th Century strike-a-light and the earlier 16th Century kind... and there are also some national differences too, but not enough to quibble about.

What is funny is how many guys will claim making a fire with one of these strike-a-lights is a big deal, when every 11-year-old girl from 1840 back knew how to do it, too. Just one of those skills that EVERYONE knew, and we've totally forgotten! Well, ALMOST totally forgotten, that is...

Cheers!

Gordon

Thanks Gordon, you've proved useful yet again... Exactly what I was looking for. :D


Thanks,
Ryan

I don't know when they came into existance, but I am going to order a burning lens or burning glass for my in progress ranger garb. They are usually mounted in tobacco tins from the American Revolution era-late 18th century.

Ryan A.C,

Though I do not like to 'blow my own', I do make firestrikers and other accessories if you are interested, examples of which can be seen on my website....

Click on.....

http://www.living-history.no/

then scroll down to gallery and click on 'ironwork'.

Those shown are basically viking, but I am always looking for new examples to make for the website :)

Hope that this is of some help, and my apologies for the shamelesss plug.

Regards as ever,

Russ

Russ;

No worries about the "Shameless Plug"! Good to know that you have such items for sale, and especially that you're happy to make "new"/ "old" designs. Thanks for the update!

Cheers,

Gordon

Ryan,

One of the reasons I like 18th century reenacting, besides the fact that it involves sharp and pointy things, is that I am drawn to period lighting -- betty lamps, rush lamps, oil lamps and candles.

About a year ago, I came across a great source for fire steels -- Mike Ameling. Here is the link to his site: http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/firefromsteel/

Mike is very knowledgeable and does nice work on his fire steels. I have bout about a dozen or so of various designs from him. He is a genuinely nice guy to deal with as well.

If you are interested in period lighting, I would also recommend Tom Butrum of Eaglecreek Forge: http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/eaglecreek/. Tom has made some betty lamps and rush lamps for me (a few are pictured on his website). He does nice work at a fair price -- as with Mike Ameling, Tom is a gentleman to deal with.

Both of these fellows have been pretty quick on their turn-around time with my orders, even when having customer work done.

Hope this helps!
Chris

Gordon Frye wrote....

Quote:

No worries about the "Shameless Plug"! Good to know that you have such items for sale, and especially that you're happy to make "new"/ "old" designs.

Thankyou Gordon, I do not use the forums to sell my wares, but it is good sometimes to let people know that we are there and what we do and can do ! :) I am trying to have something for everyone on my website, and am always looking for new things to add to it, and as a craftsman it is of course more interesting for me as well to make something different. :)

Many thanks , and my apologies for slightly 'hijacking' the thread !

Regards as ever,

Russ

Don't worry about your so called 'hijacking' it helps to know what is out there. Besides, I got a new site for my grotesquely large favorites list!