4 minute read
Trading post
from Pirate Plunder August 2021
by ASTAC
New look for Conwy’s famous pirate emporium
In 1999, Bryan Tunstall (then 22) informed his father, Toby, he was going to set up an enterprise in Conwy, North Wales. The business model was to dress people up in medieval costumes to have their photograph taken and he would also be selling a small range of swords.
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He managed to find space in the bottom of one of the medieval towers in the town wall directly opposite Conwy Castle, but to say his father wasn’t sure about this venture was an understatement. However, as a teacher, he was able to come down and help during the school holidays and Bank Holiday weekends and trade soon began to grow. Within two years, the opportunity arose to expand into a building next door called Vardre Hall, which meant the business could increase the level of stock it carried. Following this move although with some reluctance, it became necessary to end the practice of photographing visitors in medieval costume as display space was now at a premium – dressing up a family of ten in real chainmail and suits of armour, can be very time-consuming, as well as extremely tiring!
Growth continued apace and as the shop’s reputation spread, Bryan was able to begin selling over the internet. A small warehouse was rented and then, after a couple of years, a larger warehouse was needed. The range of products expanded to cater for different historical periods, with Celtic, Greek, Roman and Viking swords, armour and costumes joining the original line of medieval items, as well as replicas of weapons seen in film epics. The Pirate Brethren are also wellcatered for with a large range of swords, replica pistols, costumes. And accessories
The business is now one of the largest suppliers of arms and armour in Europe, with a massive trade side and has supplied film and TV with many items – the latest being the 2020 edition of ‘I’m a Celebrity – get me out of here’. Toby is delighted to admit he was wrong about his son’s venture and this very proud parent enjoys working full-time at the successful emporium in Conwy.
During the first lockdown, the shop closed, but the online service continued to operate as it has done throughout the pandemic. In normal times, it is only closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, so it is difficult to change the layout of the store and refurbish the displays. The second lockdown provided what was, hopefully, a once-in-alifetime opportunity to carry out a total refit.
Work started at the end of January by stripping everything back to the bare walls. Weapons and armour are now displayed to great effect against white planking and other items are shown in dark oak display cabinets illuminated from above by iron candelabra. The complete refit was finished at midnight on the night before re-opening on 1 May – price tags were still being applied by staff at 9.50 a.m. watched by a queue at the door waiting for Vardre Hall to be opened ten minutes later!
Now ready to move forward as Covid-19 recedes, the shop extends a welcome to pirates, smugglers and curious tourists to visit this amazing portal to the past in North Wales. More information from www.thepirateshop.co.uk
The Pirate
Pistol and blunderbuss with bayonet
As we go to press, two new, hand-made, historically correct weapons are being offered by Derbyshire Arms Ltd.
The first is a small Queen Anne pistol with a barrel, including the tang, of 9.5 inches and an overall length of 13.5 inches.
The term Blunderbuss is derived from the Dutch word ‘Donderbus’, which literally means
‘Thunderpipe’, and the company has now introduced a version of this weapon that features an attached bayonet. It has a barrel length, including the tang of 17 inches and a bayonet length of 13 inches. More information from www.derbyshirearms.com Versatile gun baldric Gin, rum and much more
A velvet-lined part scabbard on a shoulder strap with an added holster and cap pouch from Darkblade gives pirates a useful option when boarding a vessel – shoot ‘em first then finish ‘em off with cold steel! The scabbard will fit blades up to a circumference of six inches (150mm) and the holster will hold all of this supplier’s range of standard pistols.
The shoulder strap is easy to adjust for length via a buckle on the back.
This hand-made scabbard can be supplied in either black or brown leather, with a choice of brass or silver metal fittings. More information from www.darkblade.co.uk The Summer, 2021, catalogue from Nauticalia runs to 28 pages and its first section on page 2 serves up Speciality Drinks, which include Conker Navy Strength Gin (a donation of £5 goes to the RNLI for every bottle sold), as well as ‘Gunpowder Proof’ Royal Navy Rum, Blue Label and Spiced varieties of Pusser’s Rum.
Other sections are: Nautical Décor; Ships in Bottles; Instruments; Lamps, Bells & Clocks; Gifts; Home & Garden; and Nautical Accessories & Clothing.
The final page sets out easy options on how to order and pay. More information from www.nauticalia.com
PIRATES
When buying any of the fine products featured In these pages, I’d be much obliged if ye’d mention Pirate Plunder
