RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 30, 2022 18:06:21 GMT -7
Thoughts and opinions?? I’m not sure how common a painted sack would be among civilians in 1750. Don't know about painted sacks, but waxed wallets were there. The Pennsylvania Gazette December 11, 1766 RUN away from the subscriber, living on Barrenhill, in Whitemarsh township, Philadelphia county, on the 2d inst. December, a bound servant man, named George May, a smith by trade, 22 or 23 years old, upwards of 5 feet high, dark complexion, brown eyes, thick lips, broad nose, his knees bent, is a German, but lately come to this province; had on, and took with him, when he went away, a light blue coat, turned, with mohair buttons, a blue torn jacket, with brass hollow buttons, old leather jacket, without sleeves, a Callimancoe ditto, with flowered buttons, a coarse hat, with two buttons, one on the crown, the other on the side, two pair of leather breeches, old light grey stockings, a black crape neckcloth, old shoes, a pair of pumps, with square buckles, four shirts, a waxed linen wallet, and several smith’s tools to shoe horses. Whoever takes up the said servant, and brings him to his master, or secures him, so that his master may have him again, shall have Three Pounds reward, and reasonable charges, paid by BERNARD RAPP. Depending on how you decide to close it, it might be better to leave it plain. Painted, waxed or any such waterproofing might make it too stiff for tying easily. I used beeswax on my haversack 30 years ago and could not be more pleased, but a little stiffness is no problem there. Spence I’m considering waxing as well. I’m a disciple of Tin Cloth and own a lot of clothes and gear made from it. I’m still sketchy enough about the common use of oil cloth type fabrics by civilians in the F&I period that I’m not sure if my tarp is PC. Still considering waxing this sack though. I think a wax/oil would stay soft enough. I like roll top rucks for a closure, but I haven’t seen anything like that in the period. I think I’ve let enough ‘neck’ to cinch it, fold it back on itself, and then tie off.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 30, 2022 18:13:32 GMT -7
I'd wax it if anything. You could put an inner flap that goes over your stuff but under the drawstring opening. But I feel this is overdoing what should be a simple item. My plan, if I ever get to it. Is a simple drawstring. But, I plan to carry mine horizontally across my back with the strap across my upper chest, around the upperdeltoid, the way I do my blanket on a hopus strap. This should hopefully be enough to keep most weather out. My matchcoat should cover the sack anyway. I’m likely worrying about nothing, but I’m a design geek. This should be as simple as can be. I’m already ‘fancy’ by adding a leather strap and reinforced patches to attach it. I’m just gonna tie it off with a captive leather lace or piece of cordage and call it good. Wax or nothing. I’ll save paint for gaiters. I may give this a light soak in walnut to give a slightly different color. I’m getting a lot of ‘natural linen’ in my kit.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 30, 2022 18:41:46 GMT -7
I think a piece of leather lace will do just fine. One I dye and/or wax this, I’ll stitch it in place near the strap attachment. Easy. Simple.
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Jun 30, 2022 21:40:56 GMT -7
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Post by spence on Jun 30, 2022 22:20:01 GMT -7
Good, Keith. It can be confusing, for sure. Maybe we can take some comfort from the fact that even in the day the definition seemed...fluid. The Pennsylvania Gazette August 23, 1764 Extract of a Letter from Niagara, dated July 15, 1764. A few days ago a Soldier was fired at by an Indian on the Carrying Place; the Ball struck the Haversack on his Back, the things therein prevented its entering his Body; Hauptman (Captain) Johann Ewald in his "Diary of the American War - A Hessian Journal" p. 108: "During these two years (1776-1777) the Americans have trained a great many excellent officers who very often shame and excell our experienced officers, who consider it sinful to read a book or think of learning anything during the war. For the love of justice and in praise of this nation, I must admit that when we examined the haversack of the enemy, which contained only two shirts, we also found the most excellent military books translated into their language." If their haversacks are full of shirts and books, where do they carry their food? Spence
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Jun 30, 2022 23:00:04 GMT -7
Good, Keith. It can be confusing, for sure. Maybe we can take some comfort from the fact that even in the day the definition seemed...fluid. The Pennsylvania Gazette August 23, 1764 Extract of a Letter from Niagara, dated July 15, 1764. A few days ago a Soldier was fired at by an Indian on the Carrying Place; the Ball struck the Haversack on his Back, the things therein prevented its entering his Body; Hauptman (Captain) Johann Ewald in his "Diary of the American War - A Hessian Journal" p. 108: "During these two years (1776-1777) the Americans have trained a great many excellent officers who very often shame and excell our experienced officers, who consider it sinful to read a book or think of learning anything during the war. For the love of justice and in praise of this nation, I must admit that when we examined the haversack of the enemy, which contained only two shirts, we also found the most excellent military books translated into their language." If their haversacks are full of shirts and books, where do they carry their food? Spence Good one Spence, thank you. Regards, Keith.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 1, 2022 5:49:17 GMT -7
Kieth, your blog is a treasure. I’m stuck by the depth of research. Good on y’a, brother. And thanks for sharing with us.
Great quotes, Spence. I’m always struck by the apparent admiration Huptman shows for the Americans whenever I see his journal quoted. Shirts and books indeed!
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 1, 2022 12:58:31 GMT -7
Little bit of walnut. I’m stopped until my buckle gets here. Still considering a wax. Anyone have period recipes that may stay pliable? My current stash is all paraffin based. This has all been between rebuilding the carburetor for the 63’ Olds. Put it on, fired right up. Then gas started dumping into the manifold. Back to the bench. 🙄
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Post by Black Hand on Jul 1, 2022 13:03:26 GMT -7
Straight-up beeswax has worked for me.
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Snapsack
Jul 1, 2022 16:45:34 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by hawkeyes on Jul 1, 2022 16:45:34 GMT -7
Straight-up beeswax has worked for me. Dido
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 1, 2022 18:29:57 GMT -7
Melt beeswax, brush it on, go? Not too stiff or crumbly? I haven’t any experience with it straight on fabric.
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Post by Black Hand on Jul 1, 2022 18:47:11 GMT -7
Use your oven - brush melted wax over the fabric and give it a soak at heat. Then hang your bag and work it over with a hair dryer starting at the top and melt out the excess wax. Allow to cool and work to soften. Not too stiff (will give the cloth body) and definitely not crumbly.
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Post by artificer on Jul 1, 2022 19:02:08 GMT -7
Little bit of walnut. <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> I’m stopped until my buckle gets here. Still considering a wax. Anyone have period recipes that may stay pliable? My current stash is all paraffin based. This has all been between rebuilding the carburetor for the 63’ Olds. Put it on, fired right up. Then gas started dumping into the manifold. Back to the bench. 🙄 OK, now I know you live in "the land of the Polyester Sect of the Amish," (boy do I enjoy that quote) but don't some of them keep bee's or know who/where beekeepers may be found? The reason I ask because they should be the ones you seek out to get your beeswax. Back in the 1990's, I wanted a larger quantity of beeswax to make period gunstock finish, but didn't want to pay the going price for that much quantity at the price small blocks sold for. I went to the state fair and made a point to go to the Agricultural exhibits. I found a guy selling beeswax at a better price because it was made from the wax of his own bee's. When I asked him about a price on larger quantities, he said he could do better if I didn't mind paying for RAW wax. After I said I would be glad to process it myself, he said to come back the next day. The next day when I came back, he pulled out a large block that weighed at least 6 or 7 pounds and was almost as black as coal and had bee's wings and legs in it. He actually looked ashamed to offer it to me. I looked at it and said, "That's great, how much do you want for it?" That surprised him and he said he didn't think I would even consider it that way. I said, "Well, that's how you get it, don't you?" He then admitted it had lain in the corner of the barn for a few years and that's why it was so dirty, as he used newer wax. So he said, "Tell you what, I'll probably never use this, so if you want it, you can have it at no charge." Well, I didn't want to accept it for nothing, but he kept saying he'd rather see it used then go to waste." So then I asked, "Have you had lunch yet?" He replied he hadn't had a chance yet. So I replied, "One thing I learned while growing up and working on my Aunt and Uncle's farm is a farmer HAS to eat three good meals a day or you can't work, so tell me what you would like for lunch and I'll go get it for you." Well, he appreciated and accepted that, so I went and got what he wanted for lunch. We both were well pleased with the deal and I only paid about what two small blocks of clean beeswax would go for. Now I'm not saying you can get a deal like that from a beekeeper, but you would probably be surprised how cheap you can get raw beeswax from a beekeeper and it just may start a relationship where he might let you hunt on his land in the future. Gus
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 1, 2022 19:17:05 GMT -7
Use your oven - brush melted wax over the fabric and give it a soak at heat. Then hang your bag and work it over with a hair dryer starting at the top and melt out the excess wax. Allow to cool and work to soften. Not too stiff (will give the cloth body) and definitely not crumbly. Well… the Cutlass is back together, so once I get the oil changed and an inspection in the morning, I guess I have a trial run to do! I have wax remaining from my jackware shot flask.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jul 1, 2022 19:25:24 GMT -7
Great story, Gus. We have several beekeepers and apiaries in the area. However, we’re a thriving agriculture and ‘craft’ region. A LOT of ag products - including honey and wax - go to NY, NJ and CT where prices are double what they would otherwise bring here. And most of the remaining wax goes to local ‘botique’ crafters catering to some high end clientele. Bucknell University is down the road… 6th most expensive school in the country. You should see the pricing in the ‘quaint’ craft stores!
The last time I went looking for wax, there wasn’t a bargain to be had. Met some nice people. Beekeepers are usually quite interesting… though some have had it hard with colony collapse.
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