Southern Cross Free Trappers

Richard Snape on the game trail along Beaver Creek. Photo by Kevin.

You’ve waited all year for this…

Sept 19th/20th thru to 26/27th Primitive Rendezvous at Beaver Creek, Whorouly.
Take a break from the mundane and live the past eras of your dreams. Main events are Sat 19th / Sun 20th when Glen & Jim will guide for a Mountain Man Hunt, but why not add a full week of relaxing camp life among friends below that big old Mt Buffalo?

Please note – Vehicles are not to venture past the designated parking area unless unloading/ loading during set-up on arrival and departure. Need directions to our Rondyvoo? Contact the secretary or any Committee member.

R’voo Auction and Raffle

We plan another fun auction of donated items, so please bring any surplus-to-need items to support Club coffers. We have already received a very nice leather Civil War pouch and several other treasures so be ready with your gold or promissory notes when you hear the auctioneer’s call. “I’ve got the gold, Pa!”

Glen Mitchell and Noel Collinson have kindly donated towards our two fund-raiser raffles to be drawn at Beaver Creek Rendezvous. Tickets a steal at $2 each on that beaut ram’s-head fire-poker raffle, and a mere one dollar will have you in the running for a classy French-Indian wars era woollen voyager cap with solid silver Celtic clasp.

Club Library

Members are reminded to return any borrowed books or magazines for exchange at Rendezvous. New members are directed to Richard Snape, our Librarian, who holds a nice variety of literature relating to black powder firearms, rendezvous how-to, Longhunters, Mountain Men and etc. for easy loans at modest Club fees.

Reminder Notices – Licences

Please ensure you carry your current firearms licence whilst travelling to and attending rendezvous.

Annual General Meeting

3.30pm Saturday 19th September at Beaver Creek R’voo.

Council of Muzzleloaders

The Free Trappers attended our first meeting as a member of the Council of Muzzleloaders in June where discussions highlighted lifting the profile of Black Powder sports as a priority. The delegates resolved to request and man a display table at the 20th Eureka Collectable Militaria Fair held on 11th July.

Attending this Fair were Murray Convey, representing the Western Districts Muzzleloaders, Jim Walker, representing Seymour Black Powder Club, and John Fowler representing the Southern Cross Free Trappers. All three arrived early as display table set-up was allowed from 7am and the Fair opened to the public from 9.30am till 3.30pm.

In spite of the absolutely foul weather of high winds and constant showers there was an excellent turn out by the public, and the three delegates were kept busy all day with various enquiries about the activities of the respective Clubs, about black powder guns and other paraphernalia we had on display and the sorts of events we enjoy.

At least one new member for Western Districts resulted from out attendance. Also, a few dormant and or former club members of both WDML & SBPC expressed intent to return to black powder having perceived a general resurgence of interest illustrated in our photo displays.

The full benefits of our attendance may take time to become apparent, however Jim, Murray and John all agreed that the Council of Muzzleloaders presence had been a very worthwhile promotion. It was felt that the Council should make every attempt to profile the fun of black powder sports with displays at other regional arms fairs.

Feral Goat Hunt

Toward the end of July I was on a “longhunt” for goats in scrubby bush country near Narrandera NSW. The weather was cool and showery so I decided to adopt an early 19th century hunter look rather than my mid 18th century persona. The woollen trousers and high top boots were just “the ticket” for this foray.

The country here is heavily treed with Murray pine saplings and very similar to that about Millmerran for those lucky enough to have visited the Rendezvous’ there. The saplings here are so thick in parts that the only way to see any distance was to kneel down to peer below the foliage, virtually at ground level. After about one hour of stalking on foot I had bagged one nanny goat but I was keen to take another as this hunt was for meat for two families.

Another hour and a half passed slow stalking and low level squinting through the pines before I could account for the second goat. Another nanny and also in very good condition! By early afternoon the two carcases were cleaned and dressed ready to pack out. The hides were salted down and rolled up ready for tanning at a later date.

Both animals were butchered into fine cuts, now safely packed in the freezer, awaiting those special occasions when such delicacies are truly appreciated and the hunt is relived – the meal and the story shared with good friends. One is promised to Jeff and Katherine but both are very soon for the dining table. The two goats were taken with my Pedersoli Jaeger .54 cal rifle. The load was 55 grains of 2Fg, a 10 thou patch and a .530 ball. Distance for both shots was approximately 40 yards.

Feel free to share my story in our newsletter; hopefully I will rendezvous with you all at Beaver Creek in the spring. See you around the traps, Le Reynard.

Pro-Pelle-Cutem – Motto of the Hudson Bay Company, meaning for a pelt, a skin.

Millmerran July 2009

After 2 full days of shared driving, in Bob Ellis’ Jeep wagon, we arrived at Millmerran Township on Monday 6th July, where we bought supplies before heading out 20 kms to the SSAA range at Captains Mountain. Bob and I set up camp in the designated primitive area and observed the very good amenities established about the range by SSAA Qld. There were only 8 or 9 primitive camps, whereas most of the competitors were camped nearby in caravans or modern tent complexes.

The next important chore was to procure sufficient firewood for the next six days and with the help of Mick Taylor and his son we spent the next hour or so cutting wood. At 5.00pm we heard a load explosion- a simulated cannon shot fired to signal the end of the day’s events. It also announced the opening of happy hour at the “Forbes Emporium” bar where all profits were to subsidise the main BBQ on Saturday night.

Trading Post at Millmerran July 2009. Photo courtesy Richard & Lorraine.

Daily at 7.00am that cannon signal boomed life into all the camps. After breakfast on Tuesday morning Bob and I registered at the trading post – we were competitors 96 & 97 and were listed to shoot the Seneca Run (a walk through shoot) at 2.30 on Thursday. We spent the rest of that day wandering about, visiting other campers, checking trade blankets, yarning or just plain loafing.

Wednesday morning was more visiting, trading, loafing and yarning until about 11.30 when everyone donned their best Buckskinners / muzzleloader clobber and drove to the Millmerran tourist information centre housed in a fibreglass tipi on the outskirts of town. Then with police escort and pipers playing, we marched into town along the main street, where the Mayor welcomed everyone with a fine speech.

The shooters then assembled in lines at the town square while the cannoneers fired a salute. After which all shooters fired a blank volley salute and then a rolling volley. After the smoke had finally cleared most folk dispersed to check out the market and various shops, and then adjourning to the pub for a beer and lunch. It was a heartening sight in the pub to see all the folk in period costume with their firearms resting against the bar wall. As it should be! After lunch everyone slowly drifted back to camp.

The next 2 days were spent shooting events, trading, yarning and observing the way the shoot/rendezvous worked. Bob and I did reasonably well in the Seneca and fair to middling in the rest, Bob doing a lot better than me. Saturday was the shotgun events and you needed 40 shots to compete in them all.

Saturday night saw everyone dressed in their finest clobber for the presentations, bush dance and BBQ. Bob was awarded the prize for best primitive camp for his covered wagon. The night was bloody cold but well provided for by the week’s happy hours.

Best Primitive camp at Millmerran 2009 National Rendezvous. Photo by Bob Ellis.

Early Sunday we packed up and left for the two day journey home. All up it was a thoroughly enjoyable week, in which we drank too much, ate too much, traded (spent) a lot, and had lots more fun. In summary I think that the Millmerran rendezvous is a very well organised and run black powder shoot. I recommend that you try to go at least once to experience this unique event.
Ian Convey… X … His mark

We are all travellers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we can find in our travels is an honest friend. R. L. Stevenson

Gun Powder

Black Powder was not initially known or described as “black” powder. Prior to the advent of modern so-called “smokeless” powders the black stuff was quite simply called Gun Powder. Early in 1823 while setting off to rendezvous with the Trappers, three of William Ashley’s men were accidently killed when their wagon loaded with 300 lbs of gun powder exploded. Be alert – Safety with gun powder is no accident!

Ned Kelly Heritage day at Beechworth

Attending on August 8th were Colin & Myrtle, Kevin & Robyn, Chook, Bob & Lyne and extended family. The idea was simply to loiter about Bob’s Bojo Canvas Products’ tent display pitched on the old police paddock, and simply talk re-enacting and black powder stuff with any interested tourists. Robyn’s brand new outfit was much admired by all and seemed to fit in perfectly with the Beechworth Court toffs giving poor Ned a hard time of it. Earlier, pitching tents at 7am with white breathe, frozen hands and a crisp frost caused a few grumbles but the day turned pleasantly warm and droves of questioning visitors looked us over. All-in-all it was a wonderful festive day and great publicity for us.

Tattler

Spring fashion excitement – We’ve revamped our hard-copy newsletter frontispiece to coincide with our new-look website. Vernon has enhanced our site with a little foofaraw and vermilion, so to speak.

Glen Mitchell pushing onwards to Rendezvous

Where you can push your own barrow, light the primitive fire within, and really live your chosen persona. Camp among the truest friends at a truly primitive rendezvous – from Saturday 19th Sept. through to Sunday 27th Sept. Main events Sat/Sun 19th/20th Sept.
Relax and relive the past for a full nine days or just do the weekends.
Lots of challenge shoots planned plus our mountain man hunt. Knife and Hawk competitions; Participants should make every attempt to comply with our “Guidelines” for personal apparel, all shelters, camp cooking, and camp furniture. You should bring at least 20 litres of drinking water in period suitable containers (or covered if necessary). Trade Blanket items should also conform to our Primitive themes.

Note: Our Rendezvous is not an open event, visitors seeking invitation should contact any of our Committee who will provide directions to campsite and other relevant information, and assist with finding suitable loan apparel (if required) for any new chums.

Paul Sly (Le Reynard) – a good sportsman with his bag limit of 2 Black duck taken with his
12ga flintlock on Fri 8th May, the final day of the 2009 season.

Welcome! I’ve dug deep into some old files for this edition’s feature article; I know you won’t mind a little serious dialogue on our sporting patrimony. – Back in the early 1990’s when Bosnia was a hotspot of conflict, a robust discussion on duck hunting occurred at my workplace lunch table. It caused me to pen a few lines about the word “sport” which were printed in a SSAA sub-club newsletter; lines I now re-present here as they remain topical with hunters and discuss a danger still relevant to all true sportsmen.

“Sportsman’s identity stolen!”

Have you, like me, been on the receiving end of criticism and condemnation for your shooting and hunting sport? Each duck opening we are confronted with a familiar minority of a bigoted and poorly informed anti-hunting fraternity claiming that duck hunting is not sport; therefore hunters cannot be sportsmen or sportswomen. Their false agenda is maintained year after year and the ripples continue throughout the whole year for deer hunters, fishermen and other game hunters.

The rhetoric often used by these animal-liberationists / conservationists is that since the “defenseless” game pursued is not armed similarly to the hunter there can be no sport. No doubt they would all refer to the time-weary conflicts in the Middle East as “sport”. Small diversions, old chap! More in-depth discussions with these individuals will usually reveal them to be ardent anti-gun campaigners, with no stake, little real interest, and even less knowledge, of viable farming or of sound wildlife conservation practices.

Harassed by these jibes, I turned to my Collins Gem pocket dictionary for support. Alarmed at what I read, and beginning to doubt my heritage, I turned next to my office copy Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary 7th Edition 1987. The definitions of both books failing to extinguish my vexation are quoted:-

Collins Gem, 1992 Edition

sport.

n. amusement, diversion, entertainment, frolic, fun, game, recreation.

sportsman.

n. one who engages in sport; a good loser.

Australian Concise Oxford, 7th Edition, 1987

sport.

n. 1. amusement, diversion, fun.

2. pastime, game, outdoor pastime, e.g. hunting, fishing, racing, cricket, football.

sportsman.

n. person fond of sports, person who behaves fairly and generously.

The latter, at least, does mention hunting and fishing under the second series meaning of sport. I was not yet satisfied but maintained faith in my forty-to-a-classroom limited education. I went home and reached for my Concise Oxford 1982 Edition, also for a handy Pocket Oxford 5th Edition 1975. A quick study of these and the writing of this short article became paramount to my agenda. Here is what I discovered:

The 1982 Edition

sport.

n. 1. amusement, diversion, fun. 2. pastime, game, outdoor pastime, e.g. Hunting, fishing (etc, as for the 1987 Aust. Ed.)

sportsman.

n. person fond of sports, esp. of hunting etc; person who behaves fairly and generously.

Notice that this reference “esp. of hunting etc.” has been omitted in the 1987 Aust. Edition. Now you can see the cause of my alarm. Here the word “especially” is of necessity abbreviated to “esp.”, however its significance diminishes with that reduction, then eventually is lost and omitted in the most modern reference work. Let’s delve further into the history of the words sport & sportsman.

The 1975 Pocket Oxford under sport refers to “good sport” being a “good bag when shooting” a sportsman is “a person fond of hunting and such sports”. Therefore a “good sportsman” is one capable of filling his bag. There is no mention of cricket, football, etc., and nothing of being a good loser. Being a sportsman of 1940’s vintage these earlier definitions better fitted my schooling days; however I do not wish to take anything from cricket or football games or for that matter the Olympic Games.

My last ready avenue of information was my treasured, giant size Shorter Oxford English Dictionary 3rd Edition 1933. An extremely large volume containing 2500 quarto pages covering the history of the general English vocabulary for over one thousand years from the days of King Alfred 849-899A.D. to the 1930’s.

In this volume sport, sporter, sportful, sportless, sporting and sportsman definitions would almost fill an entire A4 page of fine print: Far too much for this brief article, but the pertinent definitions with dates of first appearance are:-

sport.

1440. 1. Pleasant pastime, amusement, diversion.

1653. 2. Pastime afforded by the endeavour to take or kill wild animals, game or fish.

1863. 3. Participation in games or exercises, esp. those pursued in the open air.

Notice the later definition referring to open air “games” was recorded some 210 years after the hunting of wild animals (game) definitions. The definition of sportsman in this edition was straight to the point and confirmed my long held belief and understanding. I quote this in full…

sportsman.

1706. 1. A man who follows, engages in, or practices sport; esp. (especially) one who hunts or shoots wild animals or game for pleasure.

1848. 2. U.S.A. gambler, betting man.

1894. 3. One who displays the typical good qualities of a sportsman.

So there you have it – The word sport was fitted to hunting and recorded in English literature at least 350 years ago. The word “sportsman” was used to describe those engaged in hunting in Oxford English at least since 1706; this clearly precedes all modern level-playing-field games or sports that commercial interests have popularised on radio and television.

The 1933 Oxford makes no suggestion of a sportsman being a good loser. That only appeared in the Collins 1992 edition.

A good loser? Be buggered! I’m not about to lose my sport to muddied name-calling when sportsman “especially” refers to hunters. This is not a game; English is a modern language and is constantly being revised. Don’t let these non-sporting anti-gun fanatics make a trophy of our sporting heritage or of our descriptive name; the name we “fairly and generously” share to more recent “pleasant pastimes”.

We should take every opportunity to educate any audience with the original Oxford English definition of a sportsman – A person fond of sports, especially hunting of game for pleasure.
John Fowler

At our May turkey hunt, Murray casts .54 cal round ball over the camp fire coals. Photo by Jim

The Sport of Kings

About the same time I wrote the previous article I contacted poet Bill Burke seeking permission to print his fine poem in a deerstalkers newsletter. It’s a truly marvellous poem, one that I’ve read many times, having had a copy attached to my fridge door ever since. I’m sure Bill won’t mind me once again presenting his fine words – to all of our “Around the Traps” readers.

Hope for the Hunter

“Have you ever pushed tired legs on the long, long walk
On the trail of the timid deer?
Spent sweat-drenched hours in the final stalk,
Till at last you found him near?
Have you noticed the beauty that’s in your sights
As so carefully you aim?
Then realised that you have the skill,
Knowing you’ve won the game,
Rose to your feet, foregone the kill,
Yet found that the thrill’s the same?

Have you ever stood in the chilly lakes
In the dark before the dawn?
And watched in wonder as life awakes,
And the world becomes reborn?
Have you shot your bag in the morning light?
Have you noticed the wingbeats slow
As they come to you in weary flight,
And in pity let them go?

Have you ever waded the wild clear stream
When the cold bit your legs like a knife?
Have you thrilled to the trout of an angler’s dream
As he fought you for his life?
Have you looked in the eye of your beaten prize
With the death-fly in his jaw?
Have you let him go, to your own surprise
So that he may fight once more?

If you’ve ever done any or all of these things,
Can remember without regret,
Then you’ve earned your place in the sport of kings,
And there’s hope for the hunter yet…”
Bill Burke.

Hunting for pleasure

When a Sportsman ventures into the field “hunting game for pleasure” we are not suggesting that the single act of shooting (squeezing the trigger) is the pleasure. Indeed it is often a moment of sadness!

The pleasure lies in the preparation and anticipation of the hunt, the actual hunt, which might take hours or even days, and after the quarry is taken there is pleasure in preparing the meat, the cooking and eating of game harvested by our own efforts.

It can be likened to the pleasure a gardener obtains preparing his soil, sowing the seed, watering, tending to weeds, harvesting the vegetables and the cooking and eating of fresh home-grown produce. Store-bought foods simply don’t provide such pleasures!

Our cover photo is a self portrait by Paul on closing day for the 2009 duck season. Paul has filled the daily bag limit of two Black duck, and yes, that is the Green River Rifle Works 12 bore flintlock made by Allan Vaisham with which Paul is enjoying good sport. Wild duck when roasted in cherry brandied sauce with roasted potatoes, carrots, onions and pumpkin, with garden-fresh minted peas, all washed down with a glass of your favourite beverage is a feast fit for any king – You won’t get a finer meal.

World recession

Even Around the Traps has been affected by the world economic woes, now that colour printing ink cartridges cost more than a whole new printer. We’ll try to maintain our content volume but the splurge of colour photos may be reduced in future issues. Of course, the full screen “Rondyvue Colour” impact can still be enjoyed by accessing our web site. http://freetrappers.org.au/newsletters/

This time, like all times, is a good time, if only we know what to do with it. H. D. Thoreau

Trade goods displayed on Glen’s barrow receiving plenty of attention. Photo by Anthea

Events

August 8th for Colonials – a Ned Kelly Heritage Market tent display, Beechworth. Police paddock behind the Old Beechworth Court House. 9am–4pm, a one day only publicity display. Dress early Colonial – similar to the Gold Rush event of Easter 2008.

Sept 19th/20th thru to 26/27th Primitive Rendezvous at Beaver Creek, Whorouly. Take a break from the mundane and live the past eras of your dreams. Main events are Sat 19th / Sun 20th when Glen & Paul orchestrate our Mountain Man Hunt, but why not add a full week of relaxing camp life among friends below that big ol’ Mt Buffalo?

Need directions to our Rondyvoo? Contact the secretary or any Committee member.

Notice to all members

Annual General Meeting 3.30pm Saturday 19th September at Beaver Creek R’voo.

Re-enactment Speaking

One day at May camp Jim and Murray both handed me different copies of Mountain Man speak – “The Language of R’voo” and “A Glossary of Mountain Man terms and Expressions”. Some good stuff for our newsletter, they said. All good stuff gleaned from the internet, but personally I have difficulty catching onto some of the terms which appear decidedly 20th century. That said, I figure to include some of these explanations as little gap fillers to our regular articles.

Cache

A safe place, often hidden, for storage of food and other supplies

Hivernant

A man who had the experience of wintering over in the mountains a year or two, and no longer a greenhorn. They were also known as “Winterers”.

Lonesome Louie & Fast Freddie first appeared in Muzzleloader magazine.

Tow

Unspun flax used for cleaning firearms; also used as tinder.

Trappers Butter

Marrow from the leg bones of large animals.

Tattler

Just mentioning those things that seem to transgress the most without pointing the finger – Elastic sided moccasins, particularly after a little rain when the side seam Mocs get soaked, eh Jim? But our president noticed a few other anomalies such as a plastic dinner plate – doh! Stainless steel cooking utensils, and enamel wares – Really, Bob! But plastic bags disguised as buffler bladders – That just won’t wash Ron!

Drop sleeve shirts, drop front trousers, drop everything and order your Longhunter & Mountain Man apparel early for rendezvous. Discuss your authentic styled costume requirements with Rachel Convey (trading as 19th Century Fleabag) tel. 03 5346 1086

Vale

Sadly, we report the passing of Keith “Old Injun” Hansell on 26th May 2009. A black powder shooter and rendezvous enthusiast for many years, Old Injun was a scribe for the earlier Pine Mountain Long Rifles group in Queensland, and a driving force establishing the bi-annual rendezvous at Millmerran. In younger days Keith and wife Maureen were regular visitors to Victorian rendezvous. At the recent Seymour Alternate Farming Expo the Free Trappers displayed this poster of Old Injun and Glen Mitchell taken along the banks of the Carboor behind Glen’s farm on one such visit. It was Keith’s favourite photo. Our condolences go to Maureen and family.

Old Injun and Glen Mitchell checking the creek banks for sign.

Winter Quarters Camp, Queen’s Birthday weekend, June.

Congratulations to eight members of the Free Trappers group who have now winter camped in the Highlands four or more years in a row. Louise and Justin Fletcher, Bob Ellis, Chook Fowler, Paul Sly and Jim Walker each have attended all five winter rendezvous, while brothers Ian and Murray Convey have done the past four years since learning to read “Come to Popo Agie” signs. All eight receive the club Hivernants award. Waugh!

A special thank you to Jim, who before leaving our May Turkey Hunt camp set to with chain saw and cut a heap of firewood ready for Winter Quarters. We decided to locate our camp on a great new spot – a small plateau overlooking the Painted Pony Plains and sheltered from the vicious southerlies carrying snow to the high country.

The wet weather forecasts did not deter hardy Trappers who had chosen to arrive early on the Friday adding time to the scheduled long weekend. Paul & Chook were first to arrive, then Jim, Bob and John. Murray and Ian made it around midday after some unscheduled repairs to Murray’s maverick mule. Their appreciative thanks go to the Romsey Garage sporting gents for their generous helping hand.

Ron Davis arrived on Saturday, an invited guest known already to most of us, and particular of the company he keeps; this pilgrim can cook good rabbit too. Ron soon became our newest member and we look forward to him and Mary sharing more shining times with us. Extra canvas shelters seemed to be all the go as we weathered low cloud and frequent short showers.

It was lean times for the hunters with a couple of foxes being sighted but none taken. No matter! Just poking about in the scrub with cow’s knee protecting one’s flintlock is reward enough. A fox pelt or a fresh rabbit is a bonus.

Last to arrive in camp were Justin and Louise with little 4 year old Rohmi. Their cosy Voyager tent was quickly erected in time to ward off more rain squalls. Rohmi on his second Rondyvoo was clearly enjoying the outdoors with Trapper mates, camp tucker, warm fires, the rain and the puddles, stories and a favourite song – Yo ho, little fishy!

Jim got busy sighting in his brand new Lyman trade rifle while Ian was trialling a .53 cal barrel he had recently restocked. A .520″ round ball mould ordered from Dixie Gun Works arrived just in time to knock up a batch of pills for the weekend. We did not have a clear winner for our Missouri Boat Ride shoot. Paul looked a cert but Murray was throwing out a hot lead challenge, however no one sent that ferryman down the rapids. We’ll just have to continue this one when next we rendezvous.

The close weather saw the group sheltering often, sharing a hot cup and telling tall stories about past hunts or shoots. Oh, but we did get in plenty of fun shoots just the same. A toast to everyone who made the most of our traditional Winter Quarters camp and shoot event – in rather more challenging conditions than past years.

A tall story, no doubt!

Bed-time stories…

Robyn readies to stir the pot as a storm gathers on the horizon. Photo by Kevin

Another warm welcome to Around the Traps! And can you sense the wonderful aroma of camp fire cooking wafting from the Dutch ovens in our cover picture? It makes my mouth water whenever I recall those wonderful tasty and nutritional marrow-bone soups and stews prepared in outdoor traditions, where the anticipation and fresh air adds keenness to one’s appetite while thoughts get lost in the depths of glowing coals.

Bone Marrow

http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/bone-marrow

Snippets from an article by Sally Fallon, president of the Weston A. Price Foundation – for wise traditions in food, farming and the healing arts.

Traditional peoples who consumed large animals did not ignore the marrow hidden away in the bones; in fact, they valued the marrow as an extremely nutritious food. Weston Price provides us with a good example: “For the Indians living inside the Rocky Mountain Range in the far North of Canada, the successful nutrition for nine months of the year was largely limited to wild game, chiefly moose and caribou. During the summer months the Indians were able to use growing plants. During the winter some use was made of bark and buds of trees.

I found the Indians putting great emphasis upon the eating of the organs of the animals, including the wall of parts of the digestive tract. Much of the muscle meat of the animals was fed to the dogs. It is important that skeletons are rarely found where large game animals have been slaughtered by the Indians of the North.

The skeletal remains are found as piles of finely broken bone chips or splinters that have been cracked up to obtain as much as possible of the marrow and nutritive qualities of the bones.

These Indians obtain their fat-soluble vitamins and also most of their minerals from the organs of the animals. An important part of the nutrition of the children consisted in various preparations of bone marrow, both as a substitute for milk and as a special dietary ration”

Cultures such as the Native American or Mongolian might have eaten the marrow raw — which can be extracted in one long, cohesive cylindrical piece with a well-placed tap on a femur bone.

Very little information is available about the nutritive qualities of bone marrow. Some commentators insist that bone marrow provided a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids in traditional diets. Bone marrow is likely rich in vitamin K and other fat-soluble nutrients, but tests to determine a range of nutrients in bone marrow remain to be carried out.

One writer describes two types of marrow, one type from the lower leg which is soft “more like a particularly delicious cream in flavour” and another from the humerus and femur that is “hard and tallowy at room temperatures”.

Modern westerners are not used to eating bone marrow, and its dark colour can be unappetizing to view. A solution is to simply spread marrow on toast and cover it up. If you are making beef broth using marrow bones, or beef shank stew or osso buco (Italian-style veal shanks), remove the marrow from the bones when the broth or stew is ready and spread on toasted sourdough bread — it spreads like butter; then sprinkle generously with salt and cover with finely sliced onions and capers — you’ll be eating something very delicious while feasting your eyes on white (or red) onions and green capers.

This can be served as an hors d’oeuvre before the main course. (Note: to prepare capers, rinse off all vinegar and then thoroughly pat dry.) Another wonderful garnish is chopped parsley mixed with capers, thinly sliced onion, olive oil and lemon juice.

Many chefs recommend soaking the marrow bones (cut 2-3 inches in length) in cold water, changed several times, for 12-24 hours. This process makes the marrow turn a pale creamy pink colour instead of the unappetizing grey. After the soaking, cover the bones with cold water, bring slowly to a boil and barely simmer for about 20 minutes. Scoop the cylinder of marrow out with the handle of a small spoon. You can then slice the marrow and use it as a garnish on meat, or add it to blended soups.

The Rocky Mountains are the marrow of the world. Del Gue (Stefan Gierasch) from the 1972 Sydney Pollack film Jeremiah Johnson starring Robert Redford.

We had a suggestion to feature members’ “Favourite Fotos” in The Traps, but haven’t seen any entries for a little while. No matter, we’ll just have to feature the editor’s favs of casual moments about camp. Check out the bewdy of Colin No-Mocs in this issue. Do you have a photograph that you’d like to share with fellow members?

Photo by Paul 2/5/2009

May Turkey Shoot at Bernard’s Cache

Jim arrived early Friday 1st May and had the coffee pot bubbling along while the weather forecast suggested a little rain. Ian and Murray followed soon after and set up camp so quickly they were rewarded with the task of latrine building. By evening seven pilgrims were enjoying the central fire but with a watchful weather eye. Bob, Chook, Ian, Jim, John, Murray and Paul were enjoying an early start to the weekend. Glen trekked in for the day only on Saturday, while Justin had escaped from a town late Saturday arvo with a new mule packing his trusty Harpers Ferry and Voyager tent for a single overnight bivouac.

That forecast of a little rain was quite correct – we had a little rain to start the weekend, very little; not even enough to adjourn to canvas shelter. The farmers want a lot of rain! Actually Saturday, Sunday and Monday were all beautiful warm autumn days, but with rug-up fire-warming clear starry nights. Saturday’s main event was the simulated Turkey Hunt with some very wary turkeys requiring the most practised calling to coax them out of the covering timber.

With Ian pulling all the strings Paul had expert vocal calling technique while Glen tried a magic store-bought caller. Everyone participated with vocals and after lots of weird-sounding gobbles, some pan flashes and a few wobbles, Chook was deemed winner on the day, luckily, as he had forgotten to bring the turkey plate prize. Glen and Paul had now run out of time and had to leave camp Saturday evening.

Sunday had the group in serious load development testing. Justin, looking for all-the-world like Del Gue’s handsome twin, found the mark with his 1803 Harpers Ferry flinter. Using reduced loads he plastered a cluster of holes in a plywood porker. Murray did his best to behead the old Beaver Creek gobbler while others picked on dried bones and a sow porker. Bob and John had to depart the scene on Sunday for work commitments on Monday, but Ian received good sign up on Mating Rock to stay on a bit longer.

So Ian, Jim, Murray and Chook all enjoyed one more evening camp-fire before breaking camp in the late morning. Everyone agreed it had been a superb weekend cut too short by other commitments. But our Winter Quarters camp is only a few weeks away so planning can extend the fun till then. We hope you can rendezvous with us.

Upcoming Events

Plan now – Our 5th Annual Winter Quarters Rendezvous 6, 7 & 8th June Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend at Bernard’s Cache, Highlands-Caveat.
Camping on the plateau overlooking the magical Painted Pony Plains, challenging the winter chills and beating them off with roaring campfires, smoking flintlocks and apple pie. Winter Quarters can be as comfortable as any season. Prove it to yourself!

9th Millmerran Black Powder Muzzleloading Open Rendezvous from Saturday July 4th thru to Saturday July 11th. Hosted by SSAA (Qld) Inc. Fees are $35 single or $65 family (2 adults & kids). Plus a $5 per night camp fee. Sorry, no dogs allowed.

August 8th for Colonials – a Ned Kelly Heritage Market tent display, Beechworth. Police paddock behind the Old Beechworth Court House. 9am–4pm, a one day only publicity display. Dress early Colonial – similar to the Gold Rush event of Easter 2008.

Sept 19th/20th thru to 26/27th Primitive Rendezvous at Beaver Creek, Whorouly. Come for the two weekends or camp right through for 9 days of spring rendezvous fun. Mark your calendars now and watch for further information in our next edition.

November 28th & 29th a Time Line Camp, at Campbelltown, Tasmania. Do we have any pilgrims keen for this event? Please advise the secretary if you might be a starter!

Bemused onlookers, Richard & Lorraine observe “No-Mocs” Colin kicking up heels. Another photo by Kevin.

Council of Muzzleloaders

Following our Vol 15 report of receiving invite to submit an application to join with the other black powder clubs of Victoria in this administrative body, that application was made and accepted, giving us access to Government and politicians via the Shooting Sports Council of Victoria. We will provide two delegates to attend meetings and our Committee has already introduced suggestions to invigorate this management level of our sport.

Tattler

Bob Ellis and Ian Convey will represent the Southern Cross Free Trappers in July at the bi-annual SSAA National rendezvous held at Millmerran Queensland.

Needing to use a mobile phone to advise loved ones at home that an extra day was absolutely necessary, Ian needed to locate an area of signal reception. Jim scouted ahead and guided Ian to a spot, recounting past connection opportunities at a place now known as Mating Rock. (Rules 3 and 6 were quoted repeatedly about the camp)

‘Tis rumoured that a certain flint and round ball enthusiast was so impressed upon learning the daily Minie-ball production capacity at Woolwich Arsenal that he saluted Mr Parker in a recent western chronicle. Hale Parker!

Annual subscriptions were due on 31st March. Just a few still outstanding! Please forward your cheque or money order to Murray as soon as you possibly can. Paid up members will receive a new membership card with the expiry date 31/3/2010.

You have done well to keep so much hair… Photo by Jenny Baker

I told my Pap and Mam I was coming to the Western Districts “Wet to the Arse” shoot on 15th & 16th August. They says: “Son – That creek is for animals an savages and likely to chill your bones to the very marrow, and there ain’t no asylums for the crazy ones! See that you pack along plenty of shrub.”

Our website http://freetrappers.org.au continues to serve our members, as well as to showcase us to the world. The site generates an automatic monthly report telling us how many visits have been made for the month and from which countries, plus other data gathering.

As one would expect, the majority of visits to our website are home grown Aussie hits, followed then by the U.S.A., the U.K., and Canada. We welcome all these pilgrims, the universal Longhunter and Mountain Men enthusiasts who have come far to chew the fat and digest the marrow of the world.

(Lonesome Louie and Fast Freddy first appeared in Muzzleloader magazine.)

The Club wishes to acknowledge donations from several readers who have enjoyed complimentary editions of Around the Traps. Your support is truly appreciated.

Courtesy of Glen Mitchell, we’ve a nice ram’s head fire poker to raffle. Tickets $2 each on sale at Beaver Creek Primitive Rendezvous in September. Successful knife and hawk competitors choose Pioneer Forge blades and axes. Contact Glen the blacksmith to order your hawk today. Glen and Anthea Mitchell phone 03 5729 5564

Contributing articles most welcome. All correspondence and enquiries to John Fowler, 252 Pini Lane, Mudgegonga 3737. Email chookster@vfowler.com Tel. 03 5753 4455.

Rendezvous with us – bookmark Around the Traps http://freetrappers.org.au/newsletters/

Seriously, how close did the arrow actually come to you Bob? Photo by Kevin

Welcome to our latest Around the Traps as we prepare for our first encampment since last September. Finally the summer heat has dissipated along with those hot northerlies and the constant threat of bushfires. The days have turned mild and the nights are cool enough to sleep under your Hudson Bay blanket or a buffaloe robe, while the smoke from the campfire wafts on the evening air. “Kettle’s on the boil…!”

Some of us are just bursting to rendezvous with mates, set up a canvas shelter and shoot a little black powder. Remember all those choice meals cooked on glowing red coals, and then washed down with hot coffee followed up with some apple pie for dessert and the yarn of a mate? Do I have your attention?

May 2nd & 3rd Longhunters autumn turkey hunt at Bernard’s Cache, Highlands-Caveat.

The first weekend of May starts around Friday the 1st when we can start arriving at Bernard’s Cache in the Highlands. We’ll camp on the Painted Pony Plains again and stay on until Monday 4th to make a decent break of it. Well, it has been six months since we gathered at a Trappers camp. “Don’t you go to Rondyvoo no more?”

Turkey huntin’ will be the theme of the weekend. We gave tips in the last news that turkey hunting was growing in popularity, whether you be Eastern Longhunter or Western Mountain Man, and that you should practice your turkey calls and rifle skills. And aim small! It sure is gonna be fun alright with all that gobble, gobble going on.

Please note: Annual subscriptions now DUE (at 31st March). Same low rate of $20 per adult member. Not payable at Rendezvous’-Please forward your cheque or money order direct to our Treasurer – Murray Convey, 2806 Colac / Ballarat Rd, Dereel 3352.

Events Calendar

May 2nd & 3rd Longhunters autumn turkey hunt at Bernard’s Cache, Highlands-Caveat.

Plan now – 5th Annual Winter Quarters Rendezvous June 6-8th Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend at Bernard’s Cache, Painted Pony Plains, Highlands-Caveat.
Can you believe it? We challenge our camp craft for a 5th winter in the highlands. We’ve had cold winds and rain squalls, and threatened snow. But mostly we’ve had warm sunny winter days, green mountain meadows, crystal clear water in the stream, and ample firewood for all; cool clear starry nights for burning the logs, chewing the fat and telling stories; strawberry jam and apple pie, it doesn’t get any better than this.

But I haven’t even mentioned the knife chuckin’, the trapping and shooting challenges. Oh, never mind, just expect to burn a little black powder, or several hornfuls, your choice; we warrant you lots of fun times that you’ll be talking about for years to come.

August 8th for Colonials – a Ned Kelly Heritage Market tent display, Beechworth.
Police paddock behind the Old Beechworth Court House. 9am–4pm, a one day only publicity display. Dress early Colonial – similar to the Gold Rush event of Easter 2008.

Sept 19th/20th thru to 26/27th Primitive Rendezvous at Beaver Creek, Whorouly.

November 28th & 29th a Time Line Camp, at Campbelltown, Tasmania.

Always welcome! Dick Schwer with everyone’s favourite pooch – Helga. Photo by Kevin

Tattler

Donning their Longhunter attire and persona, Paul Sly and Jeff Clarke had moderate success on the duck opening using their muzzle loading flint Trade guns. A Blackie and a Teal, while short of bag limit, are certainly a nice feed and good sport.

Hits of the week: Beaver Creek Blues from the album The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster; and a full twenty-six weeks in d’Real Top 40 – “My Tent’s nearly Dry – and that’s it hanging in the Shed” by Murray Mocha-Zyn, front man of Jimmy’s Four Stroke Band.

The photographs featured in this edition were taken by Kevin and might all have been lost in the devastating fires if not for a back-up copy held by the editor. Thanks Kev!

Robyn, Richard, Garry & Colin enjoy spring sunshine (Sept ’08). Photo by Kevin

Touchhole

Following up our President’s article on this subject (Vol. 14) we quote a brief page from none other than Lt. Col. P. Hawker from his “Instructions to Young Sportsmen in all that relates to Guns and Shooting”, 5th Edition 1826 London.

“Nothing contributes more to filling the bag than the disposal of this apparently trifling concern; insomuch, that an old musket, with a touchhole put in by a clever mechanic, would beat a gun, with all the new improvements, if this important part of it were left to the job of a bungler.

Touchholes of platina are considered the best, as those of steel are apt to collect rust, and one of gold is more liable to blow out, and, therefore, will not admit of being made so thin; consequently (from requiring to be thick), does not shoot so sharp; for the thinner it is, the quicker will be the firing of the gun.

The touchhole should be countersunk; and, to get at it, for this purpose, the solid breechings have a screw directly opposite, which (although in those of Mr. Manton scarcely visible) is easily taken out and put in again.” (Italics as per original text.)

Bushfire aftermath – the daunting task of clearing the ruins of Kevin & Robyn’s garden ornament factory.

Dave Doran cartoons

Years ago subscribers to Muzzleloader magazine enjoyed the regular cartoons drawn by Dave Doran. Our President loved the chuckles so much he collected copies for the walls of his workshop. The topics are mostly evergreen to Buckskinners as Mountain men Lonesome Louie and Fast Freddy bumble through life.

Anxious to again share Dave’s humour we approached Bill Scurlock of Muzzleloader magazine for permission to reprint these great gags. Bill had lost touch with Dave but provided us his last Canadian address. Our letter of request to Dave at that location remains unanswered whilst use of the internet search engines also failed to find him.

Bill’s sanction was on condition that we acknowledge that the cartoons first appeared in Muzzleloader magazine and we feel sure that Dave would be delighted his work is still appreciated and enjoyed here down under. We’ll feature them from time to time.

(Lonesome Louie and Fast Freddy first appeared in Muzzleloader magazine.)

Come on, there’s a storm coming, are you gonna share, or what? – Photo by Kevin

Growing in Oregon!

Who says ya can’t grow anything in Oregon? Wanting to know more about turkey hunting in the U.S., I was trapping on the Web and came upon the following – “Turkey hunting is growing in popularity nationwide and in the West. The National Wild Turkey Federation estimates there are now more than three million turkey hunters nationwide. While 3,720 people hunted turkey in Oregon during 1990, last year 16,493 people hunted turkey in the state and hunters can now participate in both a fall and spring season.”

“Turkey hunting isn’t ingrained in our heritage like it is in eastern states, but hunters are picking it up out West,” says Ryan Mathis, National Wild Turkey Federation regional biologist. “People are turning it into a family tradition like deer or elk camp or the opening day of dove or waterfowl season, and hunting on the millions of acres of public land available in the West.”

Well, there you have it – turkey hunting as a family tradition is growing in Oregon. Not just in the fall to provide the Thanksgiving dinner, but in the spring also. Again I quote “Those that don’t get a chance to fall turkey hunt can go during the state-wide spring season April 15-May 31, 2009.” Now these spring season dates correspond to our autumn (fall), so it seems appropriate that we should support family traditions by conducting a simulated turkey shoot at our May rondyvoo. Would you not agree?

Apron Strings

(with thanks to Rosemarie)
Leather aprons have been worn by men in various occupations such as the pioneers in military regiments, butchers and blacksmiths to name a few. But it is of printed cotton or linen worn by our women folks that we generally associate this wonderful garment.

Betty Zane

Sadly, I don’t think our kids know what an apron is – Here’s a little tale for those that have no idea how the apron played a part in our lives. The principal use of a woman’s apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses, and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove or a hot water copper.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

In 1782, at the siege of Fort Henry (now Wheeling, West Virginia), sixteen year old Betty Zane, bare footed in skirts and apron, risked a 60 yard sprint from the Fort to an outer block house store in the face of some 230 hostile Indians and 40 British soldiers. Filling the folds of her apron with many pounds of black powder she braved the return dash under concentrated enemy fire. Uninjured, her bullet torn clothing bore testimony to the desperate affair and to her narrow escape; her laden apron relieved the critical gunpowder shortage of the defenders of the fort, and saved the day for all.

Betty later married, had children and lived a full life. A statue of Betty carrying her apron filled with gunpowder was erected in her honour at the old Walnut Grove cemetery Martins Ferry, Ohio, her final resting place.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that old-time apron that served so many purposes. But times do change – Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. Our Rendezvous ladies certainly wear aprons to protect their too few dresses whilst simulating hard times, re-enacting the poverty of the frontier era.

Some folk would go crazy today, trying to figure out how many germs were on those well-worn aprons. I don’t think I ever caught anything from an apron ……except love!

This memorial features Betty Zane with her apron heavily laden with black powder.

Plan ahead….. Events & encampments programmed for 2009

May 2nd & 3rd Longhunters autumn turkey hunt at Bernard’s Cache, Highlands-Caveat.
June 6-8th Winter Quarters long weekend at Bernard’s Cache, Highlands-Caveat.
August 8th for Colonials – a Ned Kelly Heritage Market tent display, Beechworth.
Sept 19th/20th thru to 26/27th Primitive Rendezvous at Beaver Creek, Whorouly. November 28th & 29th a Time Line Camp, at Campbelltown, Tasmania.

Council of Muzzleloaders

We received an invitation to join The Council of Muzzleloaders and Black Powder Shooters Victoria Inc., and after Committee discussions, proceeded with the application. Membership involves a small annual fee with minimal meetings, but provides us a voice and vote on the Shooting Sports Council of Victoria thus gaining direct access to Government decision making forums.

Tattler

This column is saddened by losses suffered in the horrific bush fires across the State. John Morland and partner Annie who had gone out for the day were devastated to return to burned ruins and lost pets, while at Kaceen Garden Ornaments, Kevin & Robyn Norris’s manufactory and office were totally destroyed, but their house saved. All Victorians have been affected by the huge loss of life and property.

Seems we had picked on Ratus wrongly in the last issue. Turns out old Ratus is 1839 vintage rubber and not just a 21st Century plastic rat. However, suggestions that we had banned a child’s toy were simply unfounded. More out of character at last camp were the LED torches that appeared after dark, and our President has requested that our Rendezvous Guidelines be reprinted & re-read as stimuli to retain authenticity.

Guidelines for Rendezvous events (revised 2008) (Reprint)

1. 1. All S.C.F.T. rendezvous’ will be “Primitive” unless otherwise advertised.
2. All shelters and visible equipment must be of the type in general use between 1640 and 1840. All non-period equipment (Food & Beverage Coolers, Water Vessels, Containers, etc.) must be kept out of sight at all times.
3. There will be no area available for modern camps, camper vans or caravans. (See guidelines 1 & 2.) It is not permissible to hide modern camper vehicles, trailers, pop-ups, etc by canvas or similar coverings.
4. If arriving on the designated date, you are expected to set up basic camp within 1 hour of arrival and promptly change into primitive dress and remain in primitive dress until breaking camp. (Note: some American rendezvous’ expect you to arrive and depart in your primitive attire.)
5. Vehicles are to be removed from the camp area once unloading is completed, or promptly. If you take too long to unload you may be asked to move it.
6. Please turn the radio/player off prior to driving in to unload your vehicle.
7. Participants are to remain in primitive style clothing at all times for the duration of the event.
8. There is no public visitor day. Members wishing to invite visitors to witness the primitive side are asked to provide them with sufficient period clothing and suitable accommodation.
9. Dogs must be kept quiet and under control or on a leash at all times. Collar and leash should also be in keeping with the era. Owners must dispose of their animal’s litter appropriately. Owners of male dogs with random leg-cocking habits are to ensure their animals do not soil property of others. Animals possessing a threatening nature should be kennelled elsewhere.
10. Flintlock firearms are preferred, however cap lock arms designed for round ball will be accepted. Round ball and primitive iron sights only. Bows should be primitive style longbows or recurve, of wood or bone & sinew. Wooden arrows with natural nock and natural fletching only.
11. No alcohol is to be consumed prior to or during shooting activities. Foul language and drunken behaviour are unacceptable. Drugs, other than prescribed medicines, are prohibited.
12. Displayed trade blanket items should also conform to the pre 1840 spirit.

General Etiquette – All shelters must be constructed of pre 1840 type materials, such as uncoloured canvas, oilcloth, hides or wool blankets. Wooden tent poles. Tent ropes should be hemp or sisal – no nylon. Clothing materials and patterns should conform to the pre 1840 fashions. Cooking and eating wares should be made of iron, tin, pewter, wood or horn. Enamelware is not historically correct, but may be tolerated for new chums. Oil lamps (not kerosene) and candles are the appropriate lighting.

No portable television, radios, ghetto blasters or generators. Please, no chopping of firewood during early morning hours. Chain saws not to be used during the scheduled event. It is not etiquette to leave modern cigarette butts, empty drink bottles or cans littering any camps. Actually, none of these items are correct for the era. Please try to use period style alternatives.

Seymour Alternate Farming Expo 20-22nd Feb ’09

This was something quite new for us, although Bob Ellis has been exhibiting his tent wares here for many years. And don’t the Alternate crowd just love canvas dwellings?

Jim promoting flintlocks, and the Southern Cross Free Trappers club.

Jim attended 3 days dressed in best mountain man style to “improve” Bob’s display of the famous (still bogged) Covered Wagon, a 22 foot Tipi, a wedge tent and a marquee.

Thousands of visitors were fascinated with our Trapper lifestyle display. Jim and Bob, who were inundated with questions from an interested audience, barely found time for a cup of tea; whilst Glen & Anthea Mitchell, John Morland, Clive & Veronica Brown, Henry & Karen Hauser, Bernard, Judy, Andrew & Sharon Shaw and extended families were all familiar faces to Rondyvoo enjoying the display.

Glen returned to lend a hand on Sunday, dressed in his preferred outfit, and bringing additional display items including some magnificent photos from earlier rendezvous days. Our thanks to Bob, Jim and Glen for a terrific Club publicity achievement!

A cased belt axe and other useful alternate farming tools.

Please note: Annual subscriptions are due as at 31st March. Same low rate of $20 per adult member. Not payable at Rendezvous’-Please forward your cheque or money order direct to our Treasurer – Murray Convey, 2806 Colac / Ballarat Rd, Dereel 3352.

World Wide Web

Several small changes were adopted in February. We have registered a new address for our website. This identifies us as a non-commercial Australian entity for easier locating. The home page now opens immediately to our latest newsletter. Previous subscribers for new entries will continue to receive notifications. Bookmark our new address which is simply http://freetrappers.org.au

Turkey tip

Remember toms are not actively looking to mate this time of year like they are during the spring, so different calls and tactics are needed for fall turkey hunting. Practise your calling technique! There’s going to be lots of fun shootin’ at our May camp. A few gags, plenty of giggles, and lots of Gobble, gobble, gobble!

Turkey tip 2

Don’t shoot beyond 25 yards. Wild turkeys are tough to bring down so don’t attempt a shot beyond 25 yards. Gobble and wait for the turkey to extend its head and neck and aim for the base of the head, not the body.

Club Committee 2009

President – Ian Convey, tel. 03 5367 8450
Vice Pres – Bob Ellis, tel. 03 5796 2753
Secretary – John Fowler, tel. 03 5753 4455 Email chookster@vfowler.com
Treasurer – Murray Convey, tel. 03 5346 1086
Committee – Kevin Norris, tel. 03 5753 4415
Committee – Jim Walker, tel. 03 9723 5868

Winter Quarters ’07 – a calm day, blue sky, green grass and a whiff of black powder – Colin smokin’.

Well dressed & well behaved – young-uns having fun at Primitive Rondyvoo, Sept ’08

New Year’s greetings to all… Hopefully everyone thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas festive season. And maybe the good boys and the good girls received some nice pressies. A new fusil may have been wishful thinking, but perhaps a pound or two of black powder wrapped in pretty paper came your way? I remain ever hopeful each December, but being good all year doesn’t come easy!

To celebrate the New Year, Glen and Anthea kindly hosted a Saturday luncheon barbecue afternoon extending to very late evening. Their charming farm-style country home and blacksmith shop, surrounded by beautiful shady European trees and gardens, provided the perfect atmosphere for pilgrims to catch up with one another’s news in true festive season spirit. Some twenty members, family and good friends found plenty to talk about, and much laughter to share, amidst the rural background sounds of the rooster and hens, guinea fowl, sheep, and the cries of a solitary peacock.

Thanks must go to all the ladies who prepared so much lovely food, and particular thanks to hosts Anthea and Glen for making the day possible, and so delightful for all.

Melbourne Medieval Fayre & Tourney, 15th & 16th November 2008

We all agreed with the concept of a public display back at our AGM in September. But our secretary had computer break-down problems delaying official approvals. Full credits however to the MMFAT organisers, and to Firearms Licensing Branch, we were able to attend under authority, as the desirable Populous Place Permit arrived just in the nick of time, allowing carriage and display of our flintlock rifles.

Assisting Bob at his covered-wagon tentage display were Jim, Paul and Chook, all dressed in appropriate period costumes, and answering many questions from the public over the weekend. Other Trappers attending the event in civvies were Lisa, Nathaniel, Nicholas, Richard and Lorraine, while Jeff and Katherine were there in their handsome Viking disguise.

It is quite hoped that we will be invited to re-attend in November 2009, and this kind of exposure can only benefit the group in re-enacting circles, while publicity must enhance long term recruitment possibilities from the large audiences attracted.

Meeting with Firearm Licensing Branch personnel, 22nd November 2008.

We received an invite to attend an important meeting of Re-enactment groups with Licensing Branch. Jenny Baker of the B&G, liaising with Stephen Foster, DFO Dandenong had arranged for Re-enactors to hear Dennis Tocock from Licensing speak and clarify regulations on firearms and controlled weapons, swords, etc. and discuss how these laws impact upon us shooter re-enactors.

Reps from more than 26 historical re-enactment clubs enjoyed the discussion, and had opportunity to question Dennis on their group’s particular concerns. Three members of our Committee attended – Ian, Jim and Chook, and we fielded a number of queries felt pertinent to our events. We were well pleased with the answers and explanations. Some very minor changes to our future programs will be adopted.

The Tattler is back – with all the goss!

Hearty congratulations to Katherine & Jeff on arrival of their beautiful baby girl – Elizabeth Jennifer Clarke b. 17/11/08 – an 8lb treasure with dark hair and blue eyes.

Q. Who was that Trapper observed at MMFAT wearing the cleanest, newest, brighter than glow-mocs, buckskins ever seen this side of the Wind River? A. Pretty-boy Bob!

Tattler copped several whinges after the September Rondyvoo – due to strange lights observed about the camps after dark. No, not the Aurora Australis! Kerosene is in the future. Kerosene lanterns with candle inserts look just like kerosene lanterns, and are as those LED battery torches / pseudo lanterns – as out of place as a fart in a chapel!
Candle lanterns are period, they provide sufficient light, look great and work just fine.

Then your editor was chastised for displaying a plastic rat on our website. But, you would have to admit that the rat’s Trapper apparel and camp set-up was impeccable. Yeah, yeah, I know, plastic is plastic is plastic – Kid’s toys should also be authentic!

Great to see John and Elke Suardi enjoying shining times at Carboor; also Night-Owl returning to R’voo, encouraging Murray and Prickle in the art of late night pow-wow; while the very attractive Deanna ponders “Where have all the young men gone?”

Plan ahead….. Encampments programmed for 2009

April 25th – 27th Longhunters camp at Bernard’s Cache, Highlands-Caveat
June 6-8th Free Trappers winter quarters at Bernard’s Cache, Highlands-Caveat
June 2009 – SSAA National Rendezvous, Millmerran, Queensland.
(Several members were considering the trip up north, but world wide economic woes may have dampened the desire. Anyone still interested?)
Sept 19th/20th thru to 26/27th Annual Rendezvous at Beaver Creek, Whorouly

November 28th & 29th Time Line Camp, at Campbelltown Tasmania. Some Trappers are already planning to extend this camp to a “long hunt” holiday, spending extra days touring the Apple Isle. Brother Ted was there recently and sent this lovely post card after reading about Coops shot tower in Around the Traps vol.13. Why not add a visit to this historic tower to your list of “must see and do” whilst adventuring down south?

No “Range Fees” at our Rendezvous: Any competitive challenge shoots may be at a “mark” or at game animal wood cut-outs. Any hunting that may be approved on our host farm properties will be for suppression of pest animals only. We don’t conduct shoots at printed paper targets with scoring rings, and we do not charge “Range fees”.

Notes on Flintlock Ignition

In all the years I have been involved with flintlocks, I have seen, noted, or read of numerous means of getting the fire from the lock’s flash-pan into the barrel’s main charge via what is commonly known as the touchhole. (Also known as the flash-hole or vent.)

Touchholes can vary from the simple hole drilled through the wall of the barrel to the sophisticated coned and gold lined touchhole as developed in the peak of flintlock technology – a’ la the famous English gunsmith – Joseph Manton.

The basic touchhole is a hole of approximately 1/16” diameter, drilled at 90 degrees through the wall of the barrel (Fig.1). This simple method was very effective and common on firearms of the flintlock era. I have seen touchholes drilled at 45 degrees to the barrel and from 1/32” to 1/8” diameter. The oversize diameter holes lose too much pressure, thus velocity and power, whilst the smaller ones are prone to clog up, giving no result other than the proverbial “flash-in-the-pan”. Our own Murray will testify to this phenomenon!

Those touchholes drilled at angles are thus longer and so can cause slow ignition. I have fired some of this ilk that have a definite delay between the pan flash and the main charge igniting, resulting in the familiar whoosh-bang effect that tends to destroy accuracy through flinching. Vast improvements can be achieved by coning the barrel wall on the inside, so that the charge is closer to the lock’s pan. This common method of the old timers was achieved by using a small hand operated gear-driven countersink drill inserted into the breech end of the barrel, and slowly coning the inner wall of the flash-hole (Fig.2).

Modern manufacturers and gunsmiths achieve the same by inserting a coned liner into the touchhole. A larger hole is drilled in the barrel and tapped to the required thread, a liner is then screwed in (Fig.3), and the screw head of the liner is filed or cut off flush with the barrel’s external wall.

One method that I have used on my firearms is to install a ¼” UNF stainless steel grubscrew as a liner. The barrel is tapped with a tapered thread and the prepared grubscrew screwed into the barrel. A 1/16” hole is drilled in the centre of the screw and bingo – a stainless steel coned touchhole liner. The screw can be inserted with the hexagonal cavity facing out to the lock, or inwards to the bore; it doesn’t seem to make any difference to ignition times, and I have used both methods (see Fig.4).

Besides providing more efficient ignition, vent liners also allow easier replacement when the touchhole has become enlarged by the escaping hot gasses over continuous use and time. This may not be so apparent to the casual shooter of infrequent shots. The stainless liner slows down that wear process that the old-timer gunsmiths combated by using gold or platinum lined touchholes. Burning gunpowder is very abrasive and corrosive and will cut a small touchhole out in a carbon steel barrel. This wear can sometimes be noticed on the edge of the pan of well used locks!

Good ignition also requires careful positioning of the touchhole in relation to the pan and to the breech of the gun. Most flintlock shooters know that for best ignition the touchhole should be in the centre and level with the top of the pan. Further improvement can be obtained by correct positioning of the touchhole in the gun’s breech. Too far forward can slow ignition time noticeably, and it is advised to centre the vent just forward, no more than a 1/8”, of the breech plug face and centre in the barrel.

Coning and polishing the face of the breech plug, and/or grinding an ignition chamber/channel there can achieve additional ignition efficiency (Fig.5). These methods require some thought and design work, and are usually only possible when the gun is built, as position of the breech plug, barrel and lock all determined the ultimate positioning.

In conclusion, the touchhole plays a major part in ignition speed and reliability, so it pays to install the best touchhole one can, as reliable and fast ignition makes shooting flintlocks a pleasure that cannot be matched by the new-fangled percussion caplocks!

Ian Convey.

Further to our article on shot towers, Ted also forwarded this height chart for our interest. Of sad note is the lack of any mention of Melbourne’s very first shot tower, built by Louis Hamel in Sackville Street Collingwood in 1878, and since demolished – a reminder of how easily the records and our heritage can be forever lost!