I have been thinking about our future, and it looks good! Wonder what everybody thinks about guns for shoots once we start getting together (postal or in person). Period correct rifle is a given but 1 pistol ?, 2 pistols ?, scattergun ? Most Plainsmen probably wouldn't have bothered with a scattergun. Distances on the Plains are too great. However, this time also includes wagon train emmigrants and '49ers both of which could have carried shotguns. Carrying 2 pistols (or more) was a common practice with cap and ball revolvers but the more guns we require, the more we become like the other groups. Since we are NOT timing ourselves, it gives us more latitude when it comes to reloading.This levels the playing field between revolvers and single shot pistols. I like that. It becomes more realistic and historically accurate. This also allows a person to carry the firearms that he feels is appropriate for his personna and still be able to compete. Another bonus!
Also, I realize that we are The American Plains---'MEN' Society. Does that mean that we are a 'men only' group or do we include any woman who wants what we want from the sport. Personally, I believe that we should include anyone regardless of sex to join as long as they are willing to strive for the levels of authenticity that the rest of us seek. In fact, our time period was the era when non-native women began arriving in the West in numbers. This would also allow family involvement, again keeping authenticity levels in mind.
I am sure many of you feel the same way but if not let's discuss the pro's and con's of these issues. My only concern is that we remain dedicated to the concept of HISTORIC ACCURACY. We all want to have fun but we should not sacrifice authenticity ito do so. I don't want to sound like a Thread-counting Nazi. I just believe that it is easier (and cheaper in the long run ) to do the research and do things right the first time. Too often I have seen the "it's close enough" and "if they had it they would have used it" mind set ruin a good thing. I don't want TAPS to fall into it.
I don't want to offend anyone or seem 'elitist'. The farthest thing from my mind. I just figure if we are going to do this, we might as well do it right. Thanks fer listening.
"SCOUTIN' for SHAGGIES"
BUFFALO BILL
Each time I started to answer this Bill, someone has knocked on the door or called, so I will try again.
The following is just my input and the view of our local group. It is not intended as authoritarian just an opinion.
1. The American Plainsmen Society: We think of this as descriptive of a time frame and too describe people that lived or traveled across the plains. That would include Mountain men, Scouts, Dragoons, Homesteaders and pioneers just too name a few. It would include all genders and ages, so it would include the whole family.
2. Taking a note from the Barracks, the less the gun requirement the better for new people. A person might only have a Revolver or perhaps a single shot rifle that fits the period. I feel the time period is more important than the number of required weapons.
3. Historical Accuracy: As a person that is as interested in the historical research as the shooting, I think this is something that should be striven for. It is not always possible for the individual to have every item of the exact time period or be totally historically accurate from day one. As a local group we set up two camps ... Accurate and not accurate. In the accurate camp we use the 15 foot rule while encouraging people to work toward accuracy. We have a member that wears a shirt that would fit the 1780's and I have a couple shirts that are of the 1870's styles. We figure these are better than modern western shirts with snaps.
Our group is new and the weapons owned by folks is very limited. We hold our matches accordingly.
1. rifle match to include single shot percussion muzzle loaders, single shot paper cartridge and even a metallic cartridge if proven to fit the time frame.
2. Revolver or single shot percussion pistol
3. Wooden bows for archery
We also hold a combination match and folks borrow the use of a weapon they do not own.
Well I got this much in before the next knock on the door and hope it helps start the conversation. It is not meant to be my thinking in total, just a jumping in place.
I have a felling this would have done well as its own thread but that thought only struck as I have finished typing.
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