I was a member on the old board and had to drop off from there due to work and medical problems. I tried to get back on the old board and of course it wasn't working. Only recently found the new board and lurked for a couple of weeks until the subject of an 18th century turn screw came up.
I'm a 55 year old retired Master Gunnery Sergeant of Marines. I spent most of my career as a Rifle Team Equipment Repairman (NM Armorer) though I was also twice assigned an Ordnance Officer and one of those for an Artillery Battalion. My last tour was as the Shop Chief of the RTE Shop at Quantico.
Besides the things I've mentioned in other recent posts, I competed on the primitive range at Friendship in the mid to late 70's in Northwest Trade gun and rifle. Never did much good, but always had a great time. (Passing the jugs around a camp fire always got in the way of my shooting for some reason. Grin.)
Already wrote about my reenacting in another thread.
I did repairs and trigger jobs at the North South Skirmish Association Spring and Fall National Championships for about 24 years all told. Haven't been back in the past four or five years as I can't afford to lose the time/money I make now. Ever do a trigger job on a Civil War period Smith Carbine? I don't recommend it unless you are as stubborn as a mule. Grin. Thanks to that experience, I was the Team Armourer for the U.S. International Muzzleloading Team at the World Championships in Wedgnock, UK in 1996 and 1998. That's where I worked on the oldest gun I've worked on - a 300 year old Japanese Matchlock with BRONZE springs and the most expensive guns I've ever worked on - a gorgeous saw handled flintlock dueling pistol that was made by the Armourer to Napolean, though not for Napolean of course. That gun was owned by the Captain of the French Team.
I've made period leather items for years - mostly Rev War and after that, War of 1812 and War Between the States. Done a few horns and knives and a War of 1812 cutlass I carried both reenacting that time period and as a Confederate Marine. I used to collect 18th and 19th century swords, but had to sell them when the kids got bigger.
The funny thing is I've never completely assembled/built a BP gun for myself, though I've worked on I don't remember how many of them - both flintlock and percussion - original and reproduction. My last BP project was a severe restoration of an original Model 1836 Johnson and Waters flintlock pistol from a bag of broken and missing parts about a year ago. Sorry to say I don't have a computer camera.
Modified to add: I'm still working on putting together an 18th century Artificer's kit as I also collect original and reproduction 18th and 19th century tools. I think my time as a general reenactor is about over, but I'm still interested in doing something like that.
