To the guy standing to the side on the SW corner of Sackville and Argyle on Friday night asking everyone for change, including me. When I politely responded “No sorry,” you responded under your breath with “it’s ‘cus I’m black right?” just like you did for the group of guys that walked past you before me. They didn’t notice, but if I hadn’t been across the street when I finally figured out what you said, you would have gotten an earful from me. Instead, I looked back in amazement and you were smirking at me, waiting to see if I heard you. Either you experienced the worst of the apartheid or you’ve got a sick and twisted sense of humour for calling every non-black person that passes you a racist and getting a kick out of their reactions. Since you looked 20, were wearing a nice shirt, and didn’t have an accent, I’m guessing you’re just an idiot that’s back for school. I don’t give out small change to everyone that asks, no matter their skin colour or sex, because I’d rather be a philanthropist like Carnegie. GTFO of Halifax, you wont last long with that attitude. —$17 To My Name
This article appears in Sep 6-12, 2012.
…… hahaha, “f I hadn’t been across the street when I finally figured out what you said, you would have gotten an earful from me” …… fuck off, how hard would it be to walk back? Really, how hard?
I doubt the penniless thoughtlessness is reading your big brave b!tch in the coast let alone online! Geezuz, I need to whack off again …..
Wow. If it was me, (after I was done laughing, mind you), I probably would have said: “Yeaaaahhh. Thaaaat’s right. It’s because you’re black. Look, I’m sorry. I’d like to stay and chat but I’m late for my Klan meeting. You’re welcome to come along if you want.” (And just for the record, before I get flamed, I am NOT a racist.)
Or, something like: “Actually, no. You’re wrong. It’s not because you are black. It’s because I’m white.” lol That makes about as much sense as his comment…I.E. NONE!
What a tool. If anything, I’d say it’s HIM perpetuating the ridiculous stereotype…”poor black man forced to bum for money and then play the race card when people decline.” Way to do your part in tearing down the race barriers, asshole!
Koda – I could have crossed the street again, but one doesn’t exactly double back to go confront someone thats drunk and clearly twisted if youre a girl and in the process of walking home to the North end alone.
You could’ve said “why don’t you do like the other North End swarmers, “get a gang and mug some poor white person who’s trying to earn a living?” Then done a Charles Bronson in Death Wish 1 through 4.
mmmmmm death wish movies. amc did a glut of them on the weekend.
THE MIND OF THE RACIST
What is it to be a racist?
Was it the panhandler who said to those people (presumably white) who did not respond, “it’s because I’m black right?” Was he a racist? Or was it the passer-by himself or herself who did not respond? Was he or she a racist?
What if the pandhandler was white and pandhandling in North Preston? What if he said to those people who did not respond, “it’s because I’m white right?” Would those people (presumably black) who did not respond be considered racists?
Is a racist a racist in thought or in deed, assuming the two can be separated? If I entertain stereotypically racial thoughts after watching “48 Hours” on TV, am I a racist? What about the school of black theorists who adhere to a view called “Critical Race Theory” – very prominent in certain circles – in which all thought – particularly that of whites – is reduced to anti-black racism? Are critical race theorists therefore racists?
There are those, on the contrary, who maintain maintain that “race” does not exist, that it is simply a “social construct” having no real-world denotation. Are these people simply race-deniers and therefore equally guilty of the charge of racism?
Is racism, in one guise or another, avoidable?
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
If a philosopher falls in the reference section, does he make a sound? Ahhh the mysteries of life.
Kids would pull that one back in like 1995, and as a white obsessed with hip hop culture, my white guilt almost trumped my aversion to manipulative shitheads. Almost. A clown is a clown, no matter what color his skin is.
clowns are scary http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/articles2…
It’s just head games from an idiot OP. Don’t fall to his level.
I see the new Police Station in N Preston has deterred the shooting, some schlump got shot overnight.
I wonder if he asked the perps “Dis is cuz I’m black, right?”
RSVPS
“Are you a racist?”
: Furious Styles 09/10, 8:29PM)
Tell us about your obsession with hip hop culture, FS. Is that a form of “reverse racism?” In other words, are you a racist?
: troon don formosus (9:30PM)
Why is it just a “head game” Troon? Are you dismissing racism? Are you a racist?
: William Munny (09/11, 8:13AM)
Now that’s not being very compassionate, William. Are you a racist?
: Ivan Sonofabitch (9:00AM)
You mean it was a black-on-black matter? Are you being racist?
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
chips on shoulders come in all colors o.p., fuck them all, and don’t give a cent to anyone.
“Are you being racist?”
Aside from a general disdain for the human race, I don’t think so. “Critical Race Theory” is something that can only exist in the methane filled bell jar of academia, where the courage to call idiotic horseshit by it’s correct name is pretty thin on the ground. As any number of marxists, afro-centrists and eco-feminists (to name but a few) can attest.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0gR–f-x5_8
“What if the pandhandler was white and pandhandling in North Preston?”
Sure. Why not.
“Excuse me, my good sir. The Marblehead Regatta week was inordinately expensive this year and my membership at the Waegwoltic Club is due. Could you perchance spare me a couple of hundred dollars, in order that my family may continue to enjoy the benefits of our social station? Please stop hurling cinder blocks at my head. I’ll have you know I’m a corporate lawyer……Ow.”
http://sixmeatbuffet.com/images/racecard.j…
THE MIND OF THE RACIST (II)
What is it to be a racist?
RSVPs
: Ivan Sonofabitch (09/11, 10:12AM)
Well, Ivan, I’m not sure just how well your “methane filled bell jar” would go down with the scholarly community. As it happens, I have shelves of journals on educational philosophy and just pulled out two issues of “Educational Theory,” put out by the University of Illinois for purposes of illustration.
The first, “Race, Culture and the Education of African Americans” (ET, 56/1, 2006) by Marvin Lynn of the University of Maryland opens with the sentence, “It is no secret that there are great disparities in academic achievement and success between African Americans and whites.” But why is this so? Well, according to Lynn, it’s because of the racist policies and practices of American society. He writes, “Would African Americans become less vulnerable to racist policies and practices in the larger society? Would African Americans be included be ‘included’ and successfully integrated throughout our society? I believe not.” Well, there you go. It’s because of racist whites. Have you got that, Ivan?
The interesting thing about racism, particularly among whites, is that it need not be conscious. You can be a racist – you are there Ivan? – and not be aware of it. This is called “Whitness Theory” and its queen is Barbara Applebaum of Syracuse University whose paper, “Race Ignore-ance, Colortalk, and White Complicity: White is … White Isn’t” (ET, 56/3, 2006) argues that the racist assumptions underlying “whiteness” are not objects of conscious awareness but rather are invisible. They are, Barbara writes, “systematic patterns that are naturalized and thus make invisible the ways in which the privileges of some social groups constrain the freedom and material well-being of other social groups.” We know who those “other social groups” Barbara is talking about, don’t we Ivan. I hope that you’re feeling appropriately contrite. You bloody racist!
(10:12AM)
Ah, the Waegwoltic Club.
: Furious Styles (09/11, 10:19AM)
I couldn’t play your video, FS. Technical problems I guess. When you were obsessed with hip-hop, did you go in blackface? Did you spin on your head? Write back soon.
: Senor Campana (12:38PM)
You should try it, Campana. Well, maybe being brown, you’d pass muster.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
“The interesting thing about racism, particularly among whites, is that it need not be conscious. You can be a racist – you are there Ivan? – and not be aware of it.”
Ah yes – the concept of “Unconscious Thoughtcrime”. Only an academic could entertain such an idea, much less give it any credence. In any case I can’t be a racist, since for the life of me I can’t tell the difference between Indianapolis and Daytona. That much I am aware of.
How about quoting some of Leonard Jeffries’ interesting perspectives on the differences between “Sun Peoples”(black and GOOD) and “Ice Peoples”(white and BAD). I’m sure that gets a lot of play in the Educational Community, again because nobody wants to incur the accusation of Conscious Racism by laughing him “out of school”, so to speak.
non bitch worthy imo. Panhandlers say all kinds of stupid shit, and given that he was smirking it sounds like he was joking and trying to get a rise out of people, and it worked on you. I would have laughed and went about my evening.
RSVP
: Ivan Sonofabitch (09/11, 5:40PM)
Yes Ivan, I’m sure you are quite right about the Indianapolis/Daytona distinction but Leonard Jeffries and his “Sun Peoples” and “Ice Peoples”?
It sounds interesting, but has he published in reputable journals? I haven’t come across him yet but, of course, I await your instruction in this regard.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gR–f-x5_8
There you go, that should work. Blackface? Why?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Jeffr…
How about Jeanne Cannizo? Was she being “Unconsciously Racist” when she failed to appreciate and take to heart the message that she was a “fucking white supremacist bitch”?
http://www.robertfulford.com/2007-11-24-ro…
MM. It was your suggestion. You go first. I insist.
RSVPs
: Furious Styles (09/12, 12:55AM)
Thanks for the video. While watching it I busted a few moves. As to the “blackface,” I always say, “In for a penny, in for a pound.”
: Ivan Sonofabitch (6:56AM)
As far as Leonard Jeffries goes, my reference was to “reputable journals.” As far as Jeanne Canizzo goes, I would re-phrase the black cry to a “fucking white stupid bitch.”
Yes, it’s long been common knowledge as a result of intense Critical Race Theory scholarship that Socrates, like all the others, was black. However, I did think Robert Fulford was being racist when he referred to the native African artifacts as being of “uneven quality.” Time to get out the spray paint.
: Senor Campana (7:04AM)
Only if you take the night shift.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
Did you not read the estimable Prof. Jeffries’ quote about not being able to take the time to write about history because he was “too busy making it”.
As far as Professor Cannizzo is concerned I must assume you to be attempting sarcasm. Fulford’s article negelcted to mention that she was physically assaulted in her classroom by a male student , color irrelevant, except insofar as the University declined to sanction him. I find it hard to blame the activists; being activists and (possibly) students they cannot be expected to know how to think , or even behave. But, the craven lack of response of the U.of T. faculty was beyond contemptible. The institution should have been bulldozed flat, faculty and all, and the field sown with salt, like Carthage. Ooops, there’s that unconscious Eurocentric racism again. Bad, Ivan. You very bad man.
RSVP
: Ivan Sonofabitch (09/12, 9:51AM)
No Ivan, I did not read Prof. Jeffries remark. Perhaps he was one of those “making history” in Prof. Cannizzo’s class. In addition, I was not aware of the Cannazzaro incident itself before reading it in your attachment.
However, I really wasn’t being sarcastic about her since I was not aware of her being assaulted which changes things. Given the often fraught contemporary relations between the races and their provocateurs like Jeffries both within the university and without, I did think her exhibition was less than brilliant. The words “useful idiot” comes to mind – full of good intentions but with a kack-handed, insensitive approach.
I agree with your view that the response of the U of T faculty was “beyond contemptible” if no one spoke out, but it seems to me that this was more a matter for the U of T Administration itself. A more interesting response than bull-dozing the institution – do you mean the entire university? – might be to explore the reasons, if any, that the Administration gave for their response, or lack of one.
It’s difficult to think that they simply ignored the whole thing without comment. I can’t believe that the strength of their political correctness or “cultural sensitivity” would have gagged them completely. Do you have any material on any comment they might have made?
“Breeds of America: Coming of age and coming of race” by William Melvin Kelley of Sarah Lawrence College (Harper’s Magazine, August, 2012. pp. 53-57) gives a contrasting picture to that of Jeffries. Although black, he graduated from Harvard and, in spite of being less than 1/2 black, found himself nevertheless forced to belong to that “breed” in the U.S. You might be interested in having a look.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
I absolutely shall, Thank You.
And Welcome Back, Wynnie. Although it was interesting traipsing through the Montrealman Collection, for the second time in history, someone named “Winnie” has overcome the Nazi Hordes.
Haw, Haw – I pronounce that the jape of the season.
RSVP
: The Prophet Ivan (09/12, 6:05PM)
Yes, Wynnie is back and shall remain so. But I was wondering if you would be interested in my Nova Scotia collection of old paper money and stamps.
I wouldn’t post one after the other as with that ridiculously small portion of my Third Reich material but rather post one, then the other, interspersed with Wynnie. It would be a diversion, a persiflage, perhaps even a bagatelle.
If you agree, nod your head slowly.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv306/S…
RSVP
: The Prophet Ivan (09/13, 8:00PM)
Okay, I’ll give it a go. It’ll be a knockout.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
NOVA SCOTIA STAMPS & BANKNOTES
1. Bank of Nova Scotia $20, dated January 2nd. 1925.
Charleton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Banknotes Ref. 555-28-16. “The Scenic Issue” 1898-1929.
Face Design: Men fishing from two dories.
Colour: Black with yellow-green and rose tints.
Before Confederation (1867) all banknotes were just that, notes issued by multiple private banks. Between 1867 and 1936 two kinds of notes were in circulation, the old banknotes and “Dominion of Canada” notes. After 1936 all notes were issued by the Bank of Canada.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
NOVA SCOTIA STAMPS & BANKNOTES
2. Stamp: The Nova Scotia one penny red-brown, 1857. Value: About $200.
For me this is the most beautiful stamp in the world of all time and any place. It features a pre-Briot model of the young Victoria although in 1857 she would have been 34 years of age, having ascended the to the throne in 1837 at age 17. It is in a gold frame on my front-room bookcase.
I am posting it a day early to give everyone a chance for lingering enjoyment. Wynnie will return on Monday.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
NOVA SCOTIA STAMPS & BANKNOTES
3. Bank of Nova Scotia, $10.00. Dated Halifax, January 2, 1929. (The $10.00 Issue of 1877-1929.)
Charlton’s Standard Catalogue of Canadian Banknotes #550=18-10
Face Design: Mining Scene/Unicorn, Nova Scotia Shield, Indian/ Sailing Ship
Colour: Black and ochre with blue tint.
Condition: Fine
Value: About $75
Dated just before the Wall Street crash of October and the beginning of the Depression, the buying power of this note would have skyrocketed when the money supply dropped drastically. What would it have been like walking down Barrington Street on January 2, 1929? How, if at all, would it have resembled it today?
Less dung, and it would be equine, not human.
Less graffiti and broken glass because people respected private property back then.
Courteous panhandlers because the constabulary weren’t afraid to crack a few heads when bums got out of line.
Goddam teenagers cruising in their Model “A”s and blaring their , anti-social, un-listenable “Jazz”
RSVP
: Ivan Sonofabitch (09/29, 9:03AM)
Yes Ivan, what you say is no doubt true, but I was thinking in more romantic terms, something like “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” having a foot simultaneously in both time periods sort of thing. And that has always been the draw for my collection of stamps and paper money – the pure romance of the thing! And then there is my collection of swords and mediaeval English coins. Hmm.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
NOVA SCOTIA STAMPS & BANKNOTES
4. Stamp: Nova Scotia 3 pence, dark blue. 1857. Fine Cancelled. Value: About $100
It is always difficult to know how to display diamond-shaped stamps such as the Nova Scotia 1857 threepence blue but if you look at the crown in the center, problem solved. It should be displayed as shown.
We’re still ten years away from Confederation when Nova Scotia would lose its separate status and become just another province in the new Dominion of Canada and when it would begin its downward economic decline to “have-not status,” one which it continues to “enjoy” today. Joe Howe would be continuing his losing fight against the forces of Confederation led by Charles Tupper until it became a fact and he accepted a post in the cabinet of John A. Macdonald, the traitor.
What would it have been like to walk down Barrington Street in 1857? The complete absence of cars to say nothing of mass transit, totally different styles of clothing, a dirt road surface, few if any recognizable buildings – Saint Mary’s Cathedral still without its steeple – and square-riggers in the harbour. In effect a different world! A better world? For some, perhaps but not for most.
Drunken matelots, ladies of the town plying their ancient trade, gouty officers from the garrison, tubercular Irish navvies, gentlemen in tall hats and their blowsy women, overfed parsons, ragged urchins hoping to cut enough purses to acquire a gill of cheap gin.
Plus sa changer
RSVP
: Ivan Sonofabitch (10/06, 9:28AM)
My God Ivan, yes! I think you’ve got it!
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
MONTREALMAN’S MEMORABLIA
OLD CANADIAN PAPER MONEY
Henry’s Bank, 27 June 1837. $2.00
Charton’s Standard Catalogue of Canadian Bank Notes #355-12-04
Face Design: Female With Wheat/ Seated Female With Sheaves and Cattle/ Cow And Sheep
Colour: Black With No Tint
Condition: Fine Plus.
Value: About $125
Henry’s Bank was established in Montreal in in 1837 but shortly went into liquidation as a result of embezzlement by its cashier. 1837 was the year of the Rebellions in both Upper and Lower Canada, the latter led by Louis Joseph Papineau. Each June 24 on the “Festival de St. Jean Baptiste,” the patron saint of Quebec, the red, white and green “patriotes” flag can be seen flying all over Montreal.
The only banknotes I had from Nova Scotia were the $10 and $20 which I have already shown so I decided to display some of my other old Canadian banknotes. The “Montrealman’s Memorabilia” category will also feature other material than banknotes and stamps.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
MONTREALMAN’S MEMORABLIA
A GRAVESTONE RUBBING FROM St. PAUL’S CEMETERY, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
A good example of an 18th. century slate-stone rubbing with a very nice winged skull at the top. The procedure for gravestone rubbings is identical to that used to rub the brasses of the nobility in the floors of many of the old churches in England. The rubbing has been picked out in black enamel paint and fixed to a pressed-board backing making it suitable for hanging, which it presently is.
I noted that the verse at bottom may not be easily read. Here it is. I’ve used the original 18th. century capitalization and “s”.
Her time was short, the longer is her Rest
God called her hence, becaufe he saw it Best.
Alas she’s gone and like a spotlefs Dove,,
To increase the Number of the Blefsed Above.
Secure of Peace, her Soul is gone to Rest,
In the Eternal Manfions of the Blest.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
You enjoy rubbing yourself on gravestones?
You filthy old sod. I’m both repelled and impressed.
MONTREALMAN’S MEMORABILIA
RSVP
: Ivan Sonofabitch (10/14, 9:27AM)
Yes Ivan, note that the stone was 18th. century slate stone and not 19th. century sandstone, very commonly used for gravestones at that time. Slate stone is smoother and does not erode like sandstone which, in addition to being poor rubbing material, tends to chafe unmercifully.
I note that I made reference to English mediaeval brasses in my last post. I thought I’d post one in a day or two. It’s a magnificent brass dated 1328. You’ll love it.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
I’d love to MM, but, can I just point out that the plural of bra is “bras” not “brasses”
http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/45/8/…
Now, I don’t know if these puppies are English or evil, but they are wicked cool.
MONTREALMAN’S MEMORABLIA
The brass of Sir John d’Abernon the Younger
RSVP
: Ivan Sonofabitch (10/14, 5:05PM)
Although I hadn’t intended to post it until tomorrow, your attachment put me in the mood, so to speak. Herewith the brass of Sir John d’Abernon the Younger (died 1328) in the Church of Saint Mary, located in the village of Stoke d’Abernon, Surrey. It dates from pre-Conquest times (i.e., prior to 1066) as does the d’Abernon family itself. In addition to that of Sir John d’Abernon the Younger, the church also contains the brass of his father named – you guessed it! -Sir John d’Abernon. You will note the Younger is clad in plate armor while his father, who died in 1277, is dressed in chain mail.
Some years ago, while attending a conference at Oxford, I made a reservation to rub the brass of Sir John. This was necessary because it is one of the best in England, if not the best. (It rates three stars.) The parson reserved the entire church for me – it is not very large – and it was a spiritual experience. Slowly I rubbed Sir John’s brass while the sun shone through the stained glass windows. I was transported. The brass is very large – about 10 feet in length and his shield, showing the arms of the d’Abernon family, is in blue enamel. Magnificent. I had the slides of both brasses, Sir John and his son, done up in poster-size prints and they hang on either side of my desk as I write this.
I was wondering, if Sir John the Younger were to make love to the lady pictured in your attachment, how would it be possible? How would it be done? Did they have a method in those days? Would this be one of your areas of expertise of which Boru writes so glowingly?
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
MONTREALMAN’S MEMORABILIA
The brass of Sir John d’Abernon the Younger
**** CORRECTION ****
“It” (the Church of Saint Mary) “dates from the pre-Conquest times (i.e., prior to 1066) as does the d’Abernon family itself.”
The d’Abernon family, of course, were Normans who came over with William the Conqueror in 1066 and established themselves as the ruling class over the Saxons in England.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
MONTREALMAN’s MEMORABILIA
The Star Weekly, November 17, 1943
The Star Weekly originally published in 1910, appeared as a supplement to the Toronto Star as a counterpart to the British Sunday newspapers. However, by 1938 it shed its Toronto association and became Canada’s national pictorial magazine, the equivalent to Life in the U.S. In 1973 it fell victim to TV and the regular Canadian newspaper supplements.
Shown on the cover is a (Spitfire?) fighter pilot holding up a card picturing a stork and exclaiming, “It’s a boy!” The name on the (censored) envelope is that of Flying Officer William Smith and the stamp featuring King George and Queen Elizabeth is chronologically accurate. Inside stories range from one on battleships – “GUNS THAT THROW ONE TON SHELLS FOR 20 MILES” – the Italian campaign – “DEBRIS OF WAR LITTERS ITALY” – the war in the Pacific – NEW GUINEA JAP KILLERS” (American marines using mortars) – and the war on Canada’s east coast – “ACK ACK CWAC’s HELP MAN EAST COAST BATTERIES.” All photos are in black and white.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
MONTREALMAN’S MEMORABLIA
Silver Taler, Saxe-Gotha (Germany) dated 1627.
The silver taler was the standard coin of pre-unification (1871) Germany. Shown is the profile of Johann Ernst von Eisenach (1572-1638) of the province of Saxe-Gotha. Estimated value, $300-$500. Sold at auction (June 11, Stacks & Bowers of Baltimore) for $862.00. Not bad for a coin I bought in Halifax for $4.00!
MONTREALMAN’S MEMORABILIA
Britain’s Lead Toy Soldiers
A pre-War box of the 16th/5th Lancers together with a representative figure from the regiment.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
Original packaging, no less. MM, you are one steely-eyed Collector!
*That’s a compliment*
MONTREALMAN’S MEMORABILIA
Britain’s lead toy soldiers (II)
I clicked on my Profile and saw that my notes on Britain’s lead toy soldiers did not appear so I’ll post directly on “Penniless Thoughts.”
William Britain & Sons was established in 1893 and produced hollow cast lead toy soldiers until 1966 when production costs became too high and fears of lead poisoning became a matter of concern. Apart from the very earliest models (“Ancient Britains”) the production of soldiers is divided into pre-War (i.e., prior to 1939) and post-War (i.e., after 1945). The detailing in the paint – pre-War Britains always had moustaches and the boxes were much more ornate with artistic drawings of the regiments contained in each (7 infantry and 5 cavalry to a box) as well as the battle honours won by the regiment – makes the older models more desirable but the more recent post-War regiments – the kind I had as a child, are also valued highly.
The Britains shown is the unified cavalry regiment (16/5Lancers), previously The Queen’s Own Lancers and the Royal Irish Lancers respectively. Their numerous battle honours decorate the box and a representative member of the regiment is shown at right.
My “army” of Britains consisting of various infantry and cavalry regiments presently march proudly across a five-tiered shelf. Some extend back to the time of my childhood collection while other are of more recent date. They number about 350 soldiers in all and each regiment has its proper box.
Collecting Britains, particularly boxed sets in good condition, has become very expensive. Indeed, there is a regular Britain’s specialist on the staff of Southeby’s auction house in London.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
MONTREALMAN’S MEMORABILIA
Flintlock Pistol
Pictured is a flintlock pistol I received as a boy of about twelve or thirteen for Christmas. It was bought by my mother for $20 at the Georgian Antique Shop on Barrington Street which no longer exists. It was located next to St. Mathews Church but demolished to make way for an office tower. I was a frequent visitor, usually shopping for old coins. I suppose I was a bit “odd,” not your usual boy you might say.
Anyway, few years ago I decided to take it down to an upscale antique shop on Sherbrooke Street here in Montreal. The dealer recognized it immediately. He said it was made in Italy for the Turkish market about 1735. He valued it at about $500 and it would have appreciated considerably since then.
It is in excellent working order. For those not familiar with the flintlock mechanism, the piece of flint, usually bound by a piece of green felt, would be placed in the jaws of the hammer which is shown at rest. When cocked back two times – the second was in the “safety” mode – it was ready for firing. The flash pan cover is in the open position but, when powder was placed in the flash pan, the cover would be brought down to protect the powder from wind and rain. All that remained was to put the powder down the barrel, then the ball (39 calibre) and a cloth patch to prevent everything from rolling out. Everything would be tamped down with a ramrod which, in this case, is part of the stock indicating that the pistol was more for display than action although it might have been modified at a later date. Since the barrel was not rifled but smooth the pistol was accurate only for a short distance although the length of the barrel improved accuracy.
The “furniture” is made of brass – there is an embossed lion’s head on the butt which doubled as a club if the pistol were held by the barrel after firing – and the ebony stock is decorated with silver wire. There is an inscription on the lock plate just underneath the flash pan which appears to be in the Cyrillic alphabet which makes one wonder whether it was actually made for the Eastern European and not the Turkish market.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
That is very impressive Montrealman.
Helpful hint, if you do carry it for self protection and wind up being set upon by footpads you must avoid holding it in that sideways “gangsta” style grip popularized by film and rap videos. The powder will fall out of the flash pan and the flint will have nothing to strike. Unless you are carrying a dirk in your hose (Stop sniggering, Class!) or have a sword concealed in your briar walking stick you will be left quite defenceless.
RSVP
: Ivan Sonofabitch (10/20, 9:26AM)
Thank you Ivan. I will certainly take your tip under advisement.
When describing the mechanism of the flintlock I forgot to mention the touch-hole (Quiet class!) which was bored right through the barrel adjacent to the flash pan. When the pistol was fired the hammer, with the flint held firmly in its jaws, would strike the flash pan cover which had been closed over the flash pan, ignite the powder with a considerable puff of smoke which would then burn through the touch-hole and ignite the powder in the barrel, and sent the ball out. Quite a procedure.
I was thinking about the Cyrillic script on the lock-plate. Perhaps the dealer was correct in saying that it was made in Italy for the Turkish market and then, at a later date, it might have made its way to Eastern Europe by one means or another which wasn’t that far away and then inscribed in Cyrillic which I am unable to read. In any case, we will never know.
The only other gun I have is a “Brown Bess,” the regular issue musket of the British army during the 18th and early 19th. centuries. My father had donated some guns and swords to the museum when it was on Spring Garden Road but they were never displayed. I went around, met the assistant curator, and asked for them back. He called back to the curator in his office who yelled out, “Give him the Brown Bess.” And there it is, standing upright next to the fireplace right now.
It dates from about 1800, has the Tower marks authenticating its provenance, but the hammer is missing the upper part of the jaws. I hadn’t planned on photographing it for Montrealman’s Memorablia” but you never know.
Thanks for the note.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
Montrealman, I would love to see your Brown Bess…
CLASS, ONE MORE OUTBURST LIKE THAT AND YOU WILL ALL OWE ME A 5000 WORD ESSAY ON THE SIEGE OF BADAJOZ, DUE MONDAY MORNING!
Do I make myself clear?
RSVP
: Ivan Sonofabitch (10/26, 3:31PM)
Okay Ivan, can do but I was planning next to show two sabres, one for the light cavalry and the other for the heavy. Both are early 19th. century. Maybe I’ll show the Brown Bess after that. We don’t want to make it a gun show, right? More might get excited. In any case, I thought I’d let the flintlock ride for the weekend.
Let me know if you’re cool with that.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
Cool as ice, baby.
I ,er , um meant to say – that is fine by me Professor. Looking forward to the sabres. In Bernard Cornwell’s “Sharpe” novels, his hero Richard Sharpe, of the 95th Rifles, carries a heavy cavalryman’s sabre, and before every battle, finds a regimental farrier and pays him a couple of shillings to put a good sharp (no pun) edge on it. If you have any Riflemen of the 95th in your Britain’s collection, I’d like to see them at some later date.
RSVP
: Ivan Sonofabitch (10/27, 10:39AM)
I’m not familiar with the Bernard Cornwell’s “Sharpe” novels – come to think of it I’m not familiar with novels generally – so I’m not sure what you have in mind. Was the “95th. Rifles” an actual regiment and, if so, would you have the proper regimental name?
The only rifle regiment that I have which comes to mind right now is the “King’s African Rifles.” Sharpe wasn’t black by any chance, was he? (A little Montrealman joke there.)
I’ve decided to post the sabres as I know you’re in a state of high anticipation.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
MONTREALMAN’S MEMORABILIA
Two Sabres
Shown are two sabres. At the top is a standard issue model 1796 curved light cavalry sabre as worn by the Hussar regiments of the British army and a straight French heavy cavalry sabre as worn by the “Cuirassiers” of the Napoleonic period. Both sabres are accompanied by their respective Britain’s boxes – the 3rd. Hussars (“The King’s Own”) and the Cuirassiers (“Types of the French Army”). Both boxes date from the pre-War (i.e., pre-1939) period.
The light cavalry sabre is curved as it was used for slashing rather than thrusting. Dressed in their fur caps, tight jackets with coloured piping across the chest, brightly coloured pants and short boots, the Hussars were the “dandies” of the British army. They were used primarily for skirmishing and flanking attacks rather than direct frontal assaults often resulting in heavy losses. As one Hussar general was known to remark, “If a Hussar isn’t dead by the age of 30, he is a blackguard.” Among the battle honours listed was the “Peninsula,” referring to the Wellington’s attack on the Napoleonic army in Spain. Perhaps the 3rd. Hussars met the Cuirassiers there.
The Cuirassiers (the reference is to the steel breast- and backplates) were the tanks of the time as their function was that of direct frontal assault. Their sabre was straight, used for thrusting rather than slashing and featured a hand guard showing three magnificent heavy brass knuckle-rings. This particular example shows the date “1813” etched in the blade by one of its owners. In addition to their chest- and back plates the Cuirassiers sported plumed steel helmets and heavy boots that came up over the knee.
CHARGE!
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
Most Impressive. I’m guessing that the longer, straight bladed one is the Heavy Cavalry sabre
Cornwell’s novels follow the adventures of a soldier, commissioned from the ranks by Arthur Wellesley after saving his life at the battle of Assaye. Buckles are swashed and bodices ripped as Sharpe, accompanied by his loyal Sergeant, Patrick Harper makes the rounds of every major battle and campaign of the Peninsular Wars. The books are distinguished by a devotion to historical accuracy, although even the author has to admit that his characters would have probably required a Lear jet to be in every action which he places them.
The Rifle Brigade was formed in 1800 as an experimental unit of skirmishers armed with the Baker Rifle, highly accurate but with a much lower rate of fire. Attired in green jackets and black shakoes they were brought into the line of the British Army in 1802 as the 95th Regiment of Foot, the 95th Rifles.
I believe that several of the Sharpe novels feature Sharpe and Harper enjoying a post battle repast of rump steak, hacked from a recently killed charger, fried in axle grease in a Cuirassier’s breast plate. It is also standard practice in the books to rifle the belongings of the French dead in search of coins, skins of rough red wine and coils of garlic sausage.
RSVP
: Ivan Sonofabitch (10/28, 9:41AM)
Yes Ivan, as I explained in the text your “guess” is correct. The heavy cavalry sabre is the one with the long straight blade. Actually, it was the last and most expensive sword ($400) I bought. It was at the Portobello Road Market in London. Ever been there? It’s a sprawling antique fair and I think you’d enjoy it. Anyway, it caused quite a sensation as I boarded the tube for the run out to Heathrow, leaning elegantly on the pommel in approved cavalry fashion. Since it went with me in the cabin, it also caused a stir among the passengers as we boarded for the flight to Montreal. At Mirabel the Custom’s officer looked… and looked … and said, “What are you going to do with that?” I said, “I’m going to hang it on my wall.” That seemed to satisfy him, and he waved me through.
As far as the Sharpe’s 95th. Regiment of Foot in their green jackets and black shakos go, the closest I could come up with was The King’s Royal Rifle Corps in their green-faced pre-War box who also dressed like that complete with a red plume extending upward from the cap. They are in the “trot” position and, with the exception of the officer who is carrying a sword, and are carrying their rifles at the “port” position. Could it be the Baker model? My heart beat faster. Checking the battle honours I discovered that they had indeed been with Wellington in the Peninsula Campaign. Yes, yes! Things were looking good! Could this be Sharpe’s 95th? However, further scrutiny revealed that the Regiment’s battle honours went right back to “Louisbourg” in 1758 and “Quebec 1759.” So I guess that rules out Sharpe’s 95th.
I was wondering if you could tell me how to post a link so that I wouldn’t have to change my avatar each time I wanted to post my “Memorabilia.” If I could post a link I could have sent the box and soldiers of The King’s Royal Rifle Corps down directly without having to replace my avatar. Any advice?
: (10:40AM)
Sounds delicious.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
MONTREALMAN’S MEMORABILIA
The “Brown Bess”
Shown is an India Model Brown Bess with a yardstick for scale. Formally known as the “Land Pattern Musket,” the Brown Bess – the origins of the name are disputed – was the standard British Army musket from 1722-1838 while the India Model (Model Number Three) lasted from 1795-1813. The name derives from its use by the Army in support of the East India Company.
The India Model had a barrel length of 39″ and an overall length of 55.25″, fired a .75 caliber ball, had brass furniture, a swan-necked cockhammer and an iron ramrod encased in three “pipes” on the stock. (Earlier models has four pipes.) The India Model Brown Bess was the standard musket of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars.
Since it is missing the upper part of its cockhammer and the spring to close the powder pan, its value would be reduced. However, I note that replicas sell for $500.