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Replica blunderbuss with fully working mechanisms
Abeautiful, nonfiring replica of an original English flintlock from the 18th century, with fully working mechanisms, is available from Southern Swords. It has decorative leather cord wrapping from which small pirate skulls are hanging.
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‘Flintlock’ pistols were so called because the lock uses a flint to strike sparks into the priming pan when the trigger is pulled. A small amount of gunpowder in this pan is ignited, which in turn ignites the main gunpowder charge in the barrel, firing the lead ball.
Both the main charge and the ball were loaded from the front, or muzzle, of the barrel, after which the priming charge was poured into the pan – a time-consuming process. Occasionally, the priming charge would burn, but fail to ignite the main charge hence the expression ‘a flash in the pan’!
The overall length of the blunderbuss is 74 cm, with a barrel length of 41 cm, and it weighs 2.1 kg. More information from www.southernswords.co.uk
Shanty seaweed botanical vodka from Nauticalia offers an experience like no other. Its expertly-crafted and intricate blend of five hand-foraged organic British seaweeds creates stunning undercurrents of umami flavour. This subtle depth of flavour is further enhanced by hints of wasabi, galangal, yuzu, bergamot and sea buckthorn.
This small batch vodka is separately vacuumdistilled to extract and retain the freshness that nature intended. Finally, a pinch of Dorset sea salt is added to re-mineralise the purest of water with which the spirit is cut.
The bottle is reminiscent of a ship’s decanter; squat and sturdy, but with beautiful seductive curves and a punt at its base that suggests the seabed or a wave. The artwork on the bottle was created by a local Dorset artist, Emma Brownjohn. This complex image wraps around from the back of the bottle so that when viewed from the front, it is magnified and distorted as if being underwater.
The Spirit of the Sea is featured in the centre of the image, so it’s a bottle to be cherished and kept
Vodka blended from British seaweeds for its artistic merit. To make sure that it retains its good looks after repeated use, the artwork is fired in a kiln and therefore becomes a part of the bottle itself. More information from www.nauticalia.com
Alternative Market for Alternative Market for STEAMPUNK PIRATES STEAMPUNK PIRATES
PIRATES
When buying any of the fine products featured in these pages, I’d be much obliged if ye’d mention Pirate Plunder
Baldrick made for pirates Baluster tankard
Made from the finest quality embossed full grain leather by Epic Armoury of Denmark the Pirate Baldric supplied by Larpinn offers more support than a standard waist belt to carry your weapons.
The belt strap is secured using a brass buckle painted to seem weathered, while the scabbard is adjusted using leather straps and can be switched to either left or right-hand side. This durable and authenticlooking baldrick is available in black or brown to match almost any outfit.
The 28 cm frog can be adjusted between 3 cm and 10 cm and the belt strap is 115 cm long x 7 cm wide. Despite its heavy-duty appearance the Pirate Baldrick weighs just 1.091 grammes. More information from www.larpinn.co.uk Hand-made from some of the finest pewter by skilled craftsmen, this tankard is individually touch-marked with the A. E. Williams stamp.
Baluster tankards are gravity cast out of antique bronze moulds, which is the oldest and most traditional way of producing pewter, and individually hand- turned on a lathe before being polished. They make a perfect gift to enjoy a festive drink at Christmas and will give good service at many a pirate festival!
Holding an Imperial pint, the tankard is 13 cm tall and weighs 540 grammes. More information from www.thepirateshop.co.uk
Avoid fumbling to remove your tankard from its belt in dockside taverns with a low-cost leather tankard strap from Darkblade. Simple to unclip when you catch the barmaid’s eye, this useful accessory fits belts up to 50 cm wide.
It is available in either black or brown, with
Low-cost tankard strapthe rivet and press stud fastening finished in brass or silver. More information from www.darkbladeuk.co.uk
PIRATE WALL-DECOR
OLD HARRY’S LOCKER
in Swanage, Dorset, for Nautical Curios Antiques and Collectables
Strong Ales Loose Wenches Scotch Rums is from a set of three wall-decor pub signs ideal for decorating any Pirate-themed venue. This painted advertising sign is made of wood with a low relief model of a Pirate in resin and can be matched with other nautical wall-decors. It measures 60 cm high x 40 cm wide and is 2.5 cm thick.
