Southern Cross Free Trappers: Vol. 37, May 2012

http://freetrappers.org.au/2012/05/02/vol-37-may-2012/

Our Group's New Recruitment Poster Picture.

http://eighteenthcenturylivinghistory.freeforums.org/

This goes for all the other Living History groups as well, but ours is definately in need of some new blood.

Volume 36 Southern Cross Free Trappers Newsletter.

 http://freetrappers.org.au/2012/03/02/vol-36-march-2012/

Our Grease Lamp.

When we lived without electricity we used a combination of rushlights, candles (home made), and grease lamps. One grease lamp I made from a tin, but it was not as pleasing to look at as the one below. They are smoky though, and the ceiling colours in the living room and kitchen in Elm Cottage are much darker because of using this lighting.

Southern Cross Free Trappers Australia.

http://freetrappers.org.au/

ALHF. Australasian Living History Federation.

http://www.alhf.org.au/index.html

The Pike and Musket Society Australia.

Most of our members live in or near Sydney, and some in Melbourne and Newcastle.

http://www.theroutiers.org/

Nessmuk 2.

As to clothing for the woods, a good deal of nonsense has been written about "strong, coarse woolen clothes." You do not want coarse woolen clothes. Fine woolen cassimere of medium thickness for coat, vest and pantaloons, with no cotton lining. Color, slate gray or dead-leaf (either is good). Two soft, thick woolen shirts; two pairs of fine, but substantial, woolen drawers; two pairs of strong woolen socks or stockings; these are what you need, and all you need in the way of clothing for the woods, excepting hat and boots, or gaiters. Boots are best--providing you do not let yourself be inveigled into wearing a pair of long-legged heavy boots with thick soles, as has been often advised by writers who knew no better. Heavy, long-legged boots are a weary, tiresome incumbrance on a hard tramp through rough woods. Even moccasins are better.

Loading and Firing the Flintlock Rifle.

Dispite what you will see in musket loading demonstrations I suggest you follow the same procedure as loading the rifle. I do not recommend using the paper cartridge for priming the pan of a musket.
In this video the load is too tighter fit in the bore, it should not be that tight. If you clean between shots with a rifle it should not be a tight fit. If it is too tight, use a thinner patch or a smaller ball size.
The COCK holds the flint, and the steel is also called the HAMMER. The term frizzen is a modern term.

Matchlock Musket Demonstration.

This is the best demo of this type I have seen so far, good clear picture and good sound. They did however neglect to mention the safety/danger aspect of keeping the fuse clear of the powder when loading, also I would not recommend loading from bottle, I would use an open powder measure/charger for extra safety.

Another good English demo HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KTS8PQ06Qo&feature=related

STRESS LESS DAY! 7th of October 2009.

Wednesday the 7th of October is STRESS LESS DAY and the New England Colonial Living History Group will have a stall in the Armidale NSW Mall from 10am. If there is anyone in the Armidale district who is looking for a social group or club to join then this is the day and the place to be. Drop in and say hello even if you are not interested in joining our group.
Regards, Keith.

There will groups and clubs in Armidale NSW mall with brochures etc. There will also be bands and singers, art and demonstrations. If anyone is looking for a social group or to make contacts withing the community this is the day and the place to be.The New England Colonial Living History Group will have a representative there with brochures, pictures of group activities and information about the group.
Activities/stalls open at 10am and finish at 2pm.
If anyone wants more information please contact the local Co-ordinator Sam Carter at: sam.c@pra.org.au