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  1. R

    Indian corn genetics

    For a further overview of Native corn varieties, especially on the Upper Missouri, this book is especially useful: https://www.amazon.com/Corn-Among-Indians-Upper-Missouri/dp/0548661634 Rod
  2. R

    RIP Chuck Burrows (La Bonte)

    Very sad news---although we never met face-to-face, Chuck & I corresponded over the finer points of fur trade history. He will be missed. Rod
  3. R

    cannoneering classes for cannon noob?

    Other than that, beg, borrow, or steal a copy of the "More Complete Cannoneer" by M.C. Switlik. It's out of print, but possibly available through interlibrary loan. Anyone who plays with cannons should be required to read it. Rod
  4. R

    cannoneering classes for cannon noob?

    Generally, on any full-scale cannon it takes at least two people to load, one doing the loading and the other on the thumbstall. For what it's worth, the National Park Service runs a historic weapons training course, which is open to both NPS employees and the public at large (classes limited...
  5. R

    19th Century Range Finder

    The 1874 Infantry Tactics notes: "With ordinary eyesight, the movements of arms and legs are distinguishable at 800 yards; upper part of the body, 600 yards; head at 500 yards; faces and principle parts of the uniform at 300 yards; buttons at 150 yards; eyes at 80 yards; white of the eyes, 30...
  6. R

    Mountain Man Knife

    Here's a link illustrating the common Wilson butcher knife---these were shipped west literally by the 100s of dozens at a time: http://www.scandinavianmountainmen.se/includes/misc/johnwilsonbutcher.pdf Even more common would have been the scalper (the name refers to the style of blade). These...
  7. R

    Historic definition of "Swan Shot"

    For what it's worth, Prince Rupert, the inventor of Rupert shot, was also the founder of the Hudson's Bay Company, and cousin to King Charles II, who granted the charter to Rupert's Land (all of Canada draining into Hudson Bay). If you look up old shot sizes, you will also see beaver shot, buck...
  8. R

    New Movie The Revenant?

    Compare and contrast.....This is a new website sponsored by the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale, WY, to explore the myth & reality of Hugh Glass. http://hughglass.org/ Rod Ps. For what it's worth, I own a portion of Glass Bluffs, along the south side of the Missouri just downriver...
  9. R

    unknown trade gun.

    I wish we could see more of the stock. I'm wondering if it might be a "Long Dane" gun, made for the African trade. They looked very much like NW guns, and were often made by the same gunmakers, but with some differences. Rod
  10. R

    New Movie The Revenant?

    Not responding to anyone in particular-----while on my way to Bent's Fort for the National Fur Trade Symposium, I got a chance to read through the script. Like most stuff out of Hollywood, this bears little resemblance to actual historical fact, in fact this movie will only very loosely follow...
  11. R

    Firearms of the Fur Trade by Hanson and Harmon

    Yes. Get a copy, you won't be disappointed. By far the best book on fur trade firearms to date. Rod
  12. R

    antique flints?

    Years ago, Navy Arms offered original Napoleonic Wars era French gunflints for sale, priced less than modern made English flints. I bought several bags. Easily the best flints I've ever seen, beautifully made, tops and bottoms perfectly parallel, not a humpback in the bunch. They were rifle...
  13. R

    What's the value of a Collector's FFL?

    Actually, for a C and R license, the BATFE will notify you in advance of an inspection, and you have the option of the inspection taking place at a venue of your choice. If you want to cart your guns to the nearest BATFE office, they'll do it there. Likewise you can opt for a local law...
  14. R

    Muzzle loading magazine

    As an aside, when I talked to Rex Norman this summer, he doubted there would be any more articles from him. He noted that "He'd said all he wanted to say". I really hope that his columns are released in book form, like those of Mark Baker and Beth Gilgun. I could think of no better...
  15. R

    Muzzle loading magazine

    I enjoy receiving Muzzleloader Magazine, seems like there's always something for everyone. Like any magazine, there's some articles that I skip, and others I devour. The change to color really helped, in my opinion. As a western fur trade devotee, I really liked the articles by Dick Patton on...
  16. R

    Indian Corn

    I tend to grow one or two varieties a year, widely spaced to avoid cross pollination. I don't have any photos, it's never really occurred to me to take some, I guess I should. I store my seed in jars, in a cool, dry, and dark environment. Various parks, like Knife River Indian Villages here in...
  17. R

    What's the value of a Collector's FFL?

    For a muzzleloader, no value whatsoever. They are non-guns as far as the Federal government is concerned, and as such aren't regulated. For post January 1, 1899 cartridge rifles, pistols, and machine guns, a CR FFL can be very useful.
  18. R

    Indian Corn

    At least one of the varieties of corn, Hidatsa red, was grown from seed found in a cache pit, along with a Hidatsa variety of squash. I grow 15 varieties of Nothern Plains corn, Hidatsa, Mandan, Arikara, and Dakota, along with 3 types of squash, and 2 types of tobacco (Hidatsa,nicotiana...
  19. R

    Making char cloth

    Like you, I've found zero evidence of the little tin with the hole in the lid existing prior to 1960 or so. I've had good luck with lighting a roll of cloth afire, then smothering it out, either by burying or putting in the thunderbolt and shutting the lid. Doesn't char all the way like it...
  20. R

    oilskin tarp

    Go to a farm supply store, and get a bucket of red barn paint, the kind that is a rusty red color. Look at the ingredients, they should be linseed oil, iron ochre pigment, and some sort of drier, and little or nothing else. Rod
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