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Regarding Carrying Tomahawks

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I’m willing to wager that a flintlock gun stuffed in the belt had a primed pan and frizzen closed sans frizzencover
If said gun was a horse pistol hung on one or in pairs hung on both sides of a horse I bet it was primed.
When Smith was killed he had two percussion pistols. I bet they were capped, and would a man on the move been willing to take the risk the cap would fall off. I would also hazard the cock was down.
I’m sure then as now folks made acceptable risk theories and some thought no more about an unsheathed hawk in their belt then they did about a half pound of powder on their side
 
Carrying cock down on the cap of a loaded gun would be beyond stupid. Smith was bold, brave, and adventurous. Stupid he was not.
 
A small piece of leather placed between hammer and cap removes concerns of falling and discharging. Unless wet, it will fall off when the hammer is cocked. If the leather scrap is tied to the trigger guard below (with thread or cord) it is reusable.
 
My hawks ....
 

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Apparently you have never carried a 1911-45
Carry one everyday, cocked and locked, but carrying a hawk in the belt unsheathed is like carrying that 1911 in your belt hammer back, safety off. A naked edge is just asking to be cut or gored, especially if you slip or fall. Maybe your edge is not as sharp as mine, but I can shave with it. Just a slight touch and there's blood.
 
I agree gunny, as too the original question of a sheathed hawk in the period, I would think no so much as compared too now, I do not know too many woodsmen that have been in a thomahawk fight latley, but if so I would not want too tell my oponet wait a minute while I un-sheath this thing, know what I mean.
 
I agree gunny, as too the original question of a sheathed hawk in the period, I would think no so much as compared too now, I do not know too many woodsmen that have been in a thomahawk fight latley, but if so I would not want too tell my oponet wait a minute while I un-sheath this thing, know what I mean.
If you were confronted with a combat situation, a heavy blow with a sharp hawk will cut through any scabbard or scab designed to protect the user from the sharp edge unless the edge of the scabbard is reinforced with rivets. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just can't see anyone in any era running around with a naked sharp blade exposed in their belt, if that were the case, there would have been no need for knife scabbards, just tuck it in your belt. A pike or lance is another matter. During Colonial and frontier times, more died or were taken out of commission by disease and self inflicted injuries than direct combat. Gangrene can be a beitch.
 
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In BC I carried a tomahawk to my front along with the skinner type knife the better to duck under obstickels its edge leather wrapped with a tin insert later in NZ I carried a Maori Tommyhachet Scots pattern but soon abandoned it as one less item to carry . By the way I believe it was' Sir' Alexander Mackenzie . I think he earned his tittle . & Simon Frazer' Tete Juane' & Thompson their's some rough' stuff in those regions .Good reading is' Doctor Cheadles journals' of crossing the continent in the 1860s as companion of Lord Milton .
All good stuff
Regards Rudyard
 
Apparently you have never carried a 1911-45
You are not comparing apples to oranges, but a grape to a water melon. A 1911 is not a sharp hatchet, and cocked and locked is one of the best carrys for a 1911, and quite safe. Yes, I used to carry one. Were you one of the special children in school?
 
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If you were confronted with a combat situation, a heavy blow with a sharp hawk will cut through any scabbard or scab designed to protect the user from the sharp edge unless the edge of the scabbard is reinforced with rivets. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just can't see anyone in any era running around with a naked sharp blade exposed in their belt, if that were the case, there would have been no need for knife scabbards, just tuck it in your belt. A pike or lance is another matter. During Colonial and frontier times, more died or were taken out of commission by disease and self inflicted injuries than direct combat. Gangrene can be a beitch.
Good point. In an age when a cut we wouldn’t even put a band aid on today could turn septic and lead to blood poisoning and death naked blades seem an unnecessary hazard.
 
Actually LRB I am a very well educated person and also a special person, Not one with a over enflated ego, was just relating too the now versus then type of situations one may find ones self in, Spent a lot of time carrying a 1911 and still do.
 
Well russ I shall humor you---- I are special, my momma told me so. As too assumptions they are like A@@ HOLES EVERYONE ASSUMS SOMETHING BUT USUALLY THAT ASSUMS STILL STINKS. And with that I do whishes ya all a good day. Do carefully carry yer sharp instruments in a safe manner would not too see anyone getting nicked.
 

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