On of the PC/HC method of carrying balls at the ready was in one's mouth....of course they were dealing with life or death and didn't know the dangers of lead poisoning. Knowing what we know now, I think those who carry a loading block would be forgiven. You can always carry it clenched in your teeth if you like. J.D.K.
Yes, I've read about the mouth reloading,...very impressive!
On a personal level, I'm not worried about what others may think of using one or not, it's just a personal thing for me, for me, I need to respect history as much as I can, honoring those who made it, and represent it as best I can with the knowledge I am privy to. I've been involved with WWI and WWII living history, and it has always been a very important thing to correctly represent the "realities" if you will, of historical fact, rather than good imagination, or interesting assumptions on what was, could have been, etc.
If someone wants to wear a loading block, more power to them, just as long as they realize (of course this goes for anyone involved in living history) that they are, what I have coined many years ago,....
"Caretakers of history!"
...and as such, I feel people, certainly myself, need to pass on factual info to the younger generation.
That's why I like it when "I had read of those who will wear and use them but will also make sure that they make it known that it is an historically inaccurate accoutrement for the 1700s. We're making up for what the youth may not learn in their history classes, and indeed I have always seen myself as a way for a young fellow to delve deeper into a history they otherwise would never have been able to physically interact with on such a level of seeing what "was" not what "maybe was, possibly, etc. etc??"
We have such little to go by in certain areas of history, I wonder if its due to the same inconsistencies we see in living history?...a similar mindset perhaps?
Anyway,... no big deal, its just my take on things.
