Linen-skinners vs. Librarians or "Death to Old Tymey"

Hello all. I realize it’s been a while. Life happens and really gets in the way of important stuff, like research and blogs…

An interesting battle line has been drawn in the sand of cyber-space. On one side, people who research their portrayals diligently, spend hours poring over period images, journals and such, make sure that every article they carry can be documented and is made with period materials and techniques.

On the other side, those who believe that going out and hunting, trapping, etc (even in modern clothes) is more important than researching their portrayal and doing things exactly the way the 18th century person would have done them.

The former have been christened “Librarians” by the latter because they believe the Librarians do nothing but read. The former has christened the latter as “Linen-skinners”, a throwback to the Buck-skinners of 1970s rondezvous who use all sorts of non-period gear, using the justification of “if they had it, they would have used it”.

The Linen-skinners accuse the Librarians of never going into the field (other than the re-enacting field) or shooting their firelocks with live ammunition, or hunting or any of the things that “real” people do if they want to experience the 18th century. Odd folks, they are. Some of them speak of having 18th century experiences while hunting with a late 19th century Sharps rifle. That hunting in period clothes means nothing. They can hunt with a Traditions Kentucksylvania Rifle in modern Gore-Tex and figure out how it was for the 1760s frontiersman, they say.

The funny part is, many (if not most) of the so-called Librarians, hunt fish, trap, shoot, etc. and in period clothing with period gear But the Linen-skinners refuse to acknowledge this. Not possible. Librarians don’t “do” stuff. They just re-enact battles and count how many stitches per inch the new guy has on his coat while sitting in front of the altar to Kochan-Phillips wool broadcloth.

I read, so apparently, I am a Librarian. I also shoot (much to the amazement of the folks who attend the June event at Fort De Chartres I might add), although not as much as I used to.

I don’t know why the Linen-skinners have such an issue. At first I thought it was a North/South thing. Couldn’t be it, one of the most prominent Librarians is from the South. Then perhaps I though, it’s “city vs. country.” Nope. Many Librarians either live in the country, were born out in the country, or are descended from country folks. Could it be an educational thing? Bingo.

Most of the Linen-skinner set seems to be folks who never went to college, or went much later in life. The opposite is true with the Librarians. The grand majority have gotten some kind of post-HS degree of some kind by age 25. I also think this ties into a class thing. The Librarians, being more educated, are seen as snooty by the less educated ‘skinners.

Kinda sad and really annoying. 2 sets of people trying to enjoy the same hobby, and one just doesn’t understand why people bother to read instead of “do”.

Well, I think I’m going off to the range (should I take the Type G or the fusil de chasse?) and when I come back, I shall read some more of Kalm’s Journals.

Gone Indian...part 2

Yup. That's me this past weekend. Had our spring event at the Herkimer Home and this was my first time out with the new persona. I have to say, even though I have a few things to work on, I really liked it. Let's face it, scaring little kids is FUN!

'tis the season...

I get like this a few times a year. I'm looking for work (unsuccessfully so far), working on my 1770s Mohawk persona (carpal tunnel issue is preventing me from making my mocassins, etc) and just feeling a bit down. Then...

I realize how much I miss Alaska. Lived there for almost 8 years. Lived in small cities like Fairbanks and tiny Bush villages like Pedro Bay (pop. 12). Met/lived around Athabaskan, Yu'Pik and Inupiaq (and 1 full-blood Pawnee that moved up from Nebraska...). The folks I knew were living like the ones I'm studying now. Out on the land. Hunting, fishing, trapping, trading.

And here I am. In freakin' NY.

I got to meet so many interesting people.

The Rev. David Salmon, for instance. He was the first non-white Episcopal priest ordained in Alaska. When he was a boy, his village (Chalkytsik) was hit by a TB epidemic. His father took to the Bush with the family. Young David and his family lived in the Bush of interior Alaska for almost 2 years without returning to a village. He was one of the Elders sought out for a UoA video because he could still make bark canoes.

Or the old Inupiaq man that told me hunting stories. Or Lester, who at 83 still used a dog team to check his trapline.

There was one person I never got to talk to. The great grandmother of one of my employees. The old gal made it to 104, possibly 110 because of the way records were kept back in the day. She didn't taste sugar until she was in her 40s, didn't ride in a car until she was almost 70, went to fish camp and moose camp with the men until she broke her hip at 97!!!!!!! Lived in the Bush until the day she died in Tetlin, AK.

And here I am. In freakin' NY.

Warning: RANT AHEAD!!!!

So I happen across a thread in a forum I frequent. Person asks how to attach a sling to their fowler.

One member tells him how to do it, and advises him that it wasn't very common to do so historically. Also points out that it may hurt retail value of said firelock if he decides to sell it in the future. Apparently the guy posing the questions feels this is "soapbox BS."

I wonder if he also walks around with a coyote skin hat and chrome leather pants screaming "I ARE A MOUNTAIN MAN!!!!"

This kinda shit pisses me off. Someone gives you a little advice (that they probably learned because they made the same mistake and don't want you to lose money too) and they are being elitist, snobby, etc.

You want to drill holes in your $1200 gun, go ahead, but don't get bent out of shape when you want to go to an event or join a group that says it's not up to their standards.

Gone Indian...

I run an annual event at the Herkimer Home State Historic Site in Little Falls, NY. The event started out as a day of maple sugaring, showing how it was done in the Valley during the 18th century.

A few years ago, I came up with the idea of making it a full weekend event with a RevWar military encampment, presentations, skirmishes, etc.

Attendance (by public & re-enactors) has steadily increased. The one thing we're usually missing are those who portray Iroquois warriors. The vast majority of the small raids here during the War were by Mohawk and Seneca war parties. So this year I decided to change my impression for the event.

I'll be going in full Indian dress. Breech-clout, leggings, mocassins, shirt, matchcoat, war paint, etc. I have cut my hair into a scalplock. It's about as long as my 4 fingers are wide, right now. 2 more months to go.

I should have my Type G from Mike Brooks by then. I already have the powder horn, slit pouch and trade knife as well as a simple sash to wear. Paint is ordered (already posess bear grease) and so is the silk ribbon for the leggings (red wool w/ dk. blue ribbon) and matchcoat (red wool also with dk. blue and dull gold ribbon).

I'm having quite a bit of fun organizing the research and figuring out what I need. The only thing slowing me down is the recovery from my Carpal Tunnel surgery. Sewing moc, leggings and ribbon isn't as easy as it used to be.

Will keep all posted as I go

Hunting Frocks and Hatchet Cases

I see them quite regularly at events. The caped, fringed frocks worn by riflemen and militia during the War. They were fairly prevalent, easy to make, durable and effective as an outer garment.

What's the problem you ask?

We didn't have them on this end of the frontier... Other than the rifle companies that journeyed North to fight under Washington and some Continental units that used them as impromptu regimentals, you shouldn't be wearing one if you re-enact a unit of the NY Frontier. Yet I see "milita" wearing them all over the place. Why? For the same reasons they were popular in the period. Except now you can add "it's close enough" to the list.

"...he has a rough case for his tomahawk with a button, and it hangs in a leathern sling down his side like a hanger, between his coat and waistcoat..."

I've been "working on" a case for my hatchet for months now. I finally got it done tonight. It's a light, efficient and comfortable way to carry my "Mohawk belt Ax". I got the idea from the above F&I era quote, fortified by a Mark Baker article and then was provided this pic of A. Henry's tomahawk case, ca. 1786:



I just greased it lightly with some deer tallow/beeswax and am letting it dry. Perhaps I will do a little incise decoration on it later on.

Provisioning at events

Recently on RevList, a discussion has taken place over food at events. One side basically proclaiming that they'd die of food poisoning by Saturday afternoon if they didn't have modern coolers in camp. The other saying that if you stay period, you don't NEED coolers.

The basic diet of a soldier on campaign consisted of bread and meat. The daily breakdown for a British soldier was:

1 pound bread
1 pound of beef (or a little less of pork)
1 oz +/- of rice
7 oz of peas
1 oz =/- of butter

Of these, only meat would require refrigeration and ONLY if it was fresh. By boiling the meat in a mix of water, salt and apple cider vinegar, you'd easily get hrugh a couple of days without a cooler. More if the pork was a brined/smoked product.

So why don't we eat this way? Because some of us see the events as a party and don't want to "suffer" under a period diet. They eat better at events than many of us do at home. At Saratoga in 2007, one Rebel militia unit had lobster for Saturday supper!

As a raiding party, those of us in Brant's or other NY Loyalist units do have some options. Raiding parties foraged as they traveled. Produce from Rebel farm fields was easy pickings (no pun intended) and sympathetic farmers helped as much as they could. So add in things like sauerkraut, fresh corn, potatoes, etc according to season and you're still within period bounds and you're eating pretty well.

Alcoholic beverages were also discussed. Warm beer!?!?!?! Oh heavens no! Well, if you drink something other than light American-style beers, room temp is just fine. And don't forget rum and Madeira don't need refrigeration.

A little research and creativity will prevent ou from having to "suffer" under a period diet...