Guns of the “Border Reivers.” A very good Nuremberg all steel wheellock pistol circa 1585.

An extremely rare “plain” wheellock pistol circa 1585. From the workshop of Peter Danner. (Ex. Evan Perry collection. Ex. Royal Armouries.) (photos courtesy of F.J.A.G.) Odd View eh?   And why you ask is it so very rare?…   Well… it’s because our old friends the “Victorians” took most of the surviving examples, and “improved” them with lots ofContinue reading “Guns of the “Border Reivers.” A very good Nuremberg all steel wheellock pistol circa 1585.”

The “Steel Bonnet” A Master at work. A very good and untouched South German Burgonet circa 1580. It gets no better than this!

It gets no better than this! Photos courtesy of F.J.A.G. This is a “munitions” burgonet, circa 1580. Untouched. Not even cleaned!   But… a “munitions,” (?) burgonet with a one piece skull, hammer raised by a Master Armourer.   Although from an armoury containing mostly “munitions quality” helmets, this one stands out.   It bearsContinue reading “The “Steel Bonnet” A Master at work. A very good and untouched South German Burgonet circa 1580. It gets no better than this!”

Swords of the “Border Reivers.” Of Hearts, Heart brooches, Heart burials, and “Rules of Engagement,” ….

                                                        “I give Thee my Heart”…..                                            Continue reading “Swords of the “Border Reivers.” Of Hearts, Heart brooches, Heart burials, and “Rules of Engagement,” ….”

16th century Fatlips Castle Border Peel tower in Roxburghshire, Scotland

                                                      Fatlips Castle as it stood in 1857   Fatlips Castle, a 16th century pele tower of rectangular stone was founded by the Turnbulls of Barnhill. The castle sitsContinue reading “16th century Fatlips Castle Border Peel tower in Roxburghshire, Scotland”

Lowland Scots

    The Scottish Lowlands are made up of the southern portion of Scotland, the central region, the eastern coast, and most of the northeastern coast. The bulk of Scotland’s population (about 80 percent) lives in the Lowlands, particularly in the urban and industrial areas around such major cities as Glasgow and Aberdeen, as well as in theContinue reading “Lowland Scots”