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Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 17:14:41 -0800
From: Pat Quilter <pat_quilter@qscaudio.com>
Subject: MtMan-List: Re: Use of Horses
Hopefully we have established that the "Mountain Man was a Mounted Man".
Horses and mules were the SUV's of the pre-automobile era. One parks a
vehicle frequently and does stuff, but nobody would think of taking a long
trip without the best transport available (River trips are an alternate
example, as noted).
My specific reason for posting is to expand on Lee Newbill's amusing
episode of mid-night disturbance. I have made a few trips with horses. They
ARE INDEED a constant concern and responsibility, but so is a car when you
think of it. Especially in light of hauling a trapper's gear, and travelling
fast when required, the hassle is necessary.
Sleeping with horses nearby is quite different. Keeping them around is a
real problem. The old parties posted a watch in many cases, and I have also
seen reference to a "Bell Mare" which was kept tied, so the other horses
would not wander too far (can anyone explain this further?). During our
rides, we slept clothed with mocassins on, and this was also the custom with
a pair of men I know who made a months-long ride some years ago. Dealing
with the possibility of being suddenly rousted, by a stampede, horse wreck,
bear or whatever, is one of those challenges one learns by the doing. The
question of night clothes is not frequently discussed in the journals, but
there are hints if one reads between the lines. Lewis Garrard, a 17-year old
who sponged up experience from older trappers in 1846-7, refers to having a
shirt on his back for about 50 days, "quite long enough" when he finally got
a change of clothing.
Pat Quilter
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Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 08:39:40 EST
From: CTOAKES@aol.com
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: pewter nose caps
<<Liver of sulphur sold at
jewelry supply stores works well. >>
I wonder, if this is a sulfer compound as the name implies and it works then you may have a easy solution the next time you clean your gun. I use the black residue of shooting my flint lock to darken the brass on my guns. It is fast and effective. Charlie P Webb said that the liver of sulphur works on brass and as the residue in black powder buns has a lot of sulgur in it it may work on your pewter. Good excuse to go shoot a little tomarrow and try it. Like I needed an excuse.
I know that disreputable antique dealers have been known to take Brass and Pewter and bury it in a trench and urinate on the pit once and a while to get the stuff to age. Don't know if it works on the modern pewter which has no lead.
Y.M.O.S.
C.T. Oakes
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Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002 01:44:53 +0000
From: "don secondine" <dmdhsecondine@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: pewter nose caps
C.T.,
The mix I use for nose caps is a combination of lead, antimony, and tin. I
musta put a leetle to much tin in this one. I swear it looks like silver and
HARD. I'll have to remember this when I do a silver mounted Halfstock.
Anyway, the high tin content is not wanting to gray down. I intend to try
the liver of sulphur. I tried another recipe today and I did not like the
results. It didn't look natural so I'll try again. maybe the black powder
fouling will work. I appreciate the help on this project.
Thanks fellas,
Don
>From: CTOAKES@aol.com
>Reply-To: hist_text@lists.xmission.com
>To: <hist_text@lists.xmission.com>
>Subject: Re: MtMan-List: pewter nose caps
>Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 08:39:40 EST
>
><<Liver of sulphur sold at
>jewelry supply stores works well. >>
>
>I wonder, if this is a sulfer compound as the name implies and it works
>then you may have a easy solution the next time you clean your gun. I use
>the black residue of shooting my flint lock to darken the brass on my guns.
> It is fast and effective. Charlie P Webb said that the liver of sulphur
>works on brass and as the residue in black powder buns has a lot of sulgur
>in it it may work on your pewter. Good excuse to go shoot a little
>tomarrow and try it. Like I needed an excuse.
>
>I know that disreputable antique dealers have been known to take Brass and
>Pewter and bury it in a trench and urinate on the pit once and a while to
>get the stuff to age. Don't know if it works on the modern pewter which
>has no lead.
>
>Y.M.O.S.
>
>C.T. Oakes
>
>
>----------------------
>hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html
