THE 18TH CENTURY TRADING POST

My Primitive Fire Lighting Book Discounted 30% ! Get It Now !

2012-01-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

Primitive Fire lighting, Flint & Steel & Fire-Bow.

Purchase Primitive Fire lighting or any other title with 30% off with coupon code SHELFSTOCK305.

http://www.lulu.com/product/17366659?cid=012612_en_email_SHELFSTOCK305

Australian Living History Forum & Armidale NSW Living History Group.

2011-12-26T13:43:00.000-08:00

Mail around Xmas time is pretty thin on the ground, so it is a good time for me to do some research. I decided to find some Australian Living History Forums, but was very surprised to find that there don't appear to be any listed on the net! Hence this post, advertising our group's 18th century Living History forum. We do have members on our forum from a variety of countries, but the forum itself is very definately Australian.
Our main interest is focused on the late 17th century through to 1760ad in the New World. We are not talking Americans here, we are talking about emigrants from a variety of countries travelling to & settling in the New World. We study & interpret the life style of ordinary people in the Eastern parts of the New World, including the New World natives. However, as we are actually living in Australia, we also need to learn as much as we can about the Australian flora & fauna & some of the Australian native skills.
If you think you might be interested in our group, you can contact me through this blog, or you can email me at: historicaltrekker@gmail.com. Our group's forum address is: http://eighteenthcenturylivinghistory.freeforums.org/

Our group, the New England Colonial Living History Group 1680-1760 is a working group, not just a forum on the net. We are based just outside Armidale New England NSW. Membership is FREE

Official Trailer. Off The Grid Survival, or A Bug-Out Retreat.

2011-10-29T18:41:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a lot of interest in disaster survival these days so I thought I would produce a video. This will cover items from food and water to power and shelter.

The End Of Our World As We Knew It.

2011-10-25T21:44:00.000-07:00

The End Of Our World As We Knew It.

A short story by Keith H. Burgess.©

I struggled on, the weight of Lisa and our supply of water on the travois felt immense. Only mind over body was keeping me moving forward now. It was hot and my boots felt as if they had lead soles. I dragged the travois into the shade of a large rock, and after giving some water to Lisa, I sat down to rest.

What had happened? Where were the rest? We had arranged half jokingly to meet at Rays place if it all went to hell in a hand cart, not really believing that Armageddon would happen. Well it had all gone to hell, slowly at first, and then push came to shove. But no one was there, Ray and his family were gone and the place had been ransacked. Lisa had the little Berretta .22 auto, and I had my customised 308. The ammo weighed a ton for the 308 but we had plenty of .22 ammo.

One shot kills with the 308 were not difficult, but we wasted a lot of the meat. It just didn’t keep in the heat. Cooked meat lasted a little longer, but we both got very sick at one stage unable to travel for several days. After that we weren’t game to carry meat for more than a day. The 308 ammo didn’t last long so I ditched it and fell back on the .22. But one shot kills at the distance I was shooting were not possible, and once again the ammo was going fast; funny how you can be content to shoot one round at a time with a repeater, but as soon as you pick up a semi-auto you just can’t stop pulling that trigger.

Night must have come and gone but I don’t remember. I lay there in the sun not able to move. I called to Lisa but she did not answer. First had come the hike in food prices so more and more people were scavenging the grocer’s throw out bins. Then there were no bins, it was all for sale. There were more people living on the streets, I figured we could go and camp out at Ray’s parents place if it got any worse. Then overnight it all changed. Food prices and accommodation were no longer an issue. The worst had happened and we had to get out of town.

I remember movement, I was moving. I was being carried. My face was covered by a wet cloth but I could not move my arms. Then darkness and then I was in a supermarket. All the shelves were empty and covered by dust. My mother was there saying “there is nothing here Rob”, and then Lisa was taking me by the hand and leading me outside into the bright sunlight.

I heard voices but could not open my eyes. I felt….I don’t remember what I felt, heavy maybe, tired, then I was in my parent’s garden. Finally I woke to find Lisa stroking my hair. I lay on a bed of bracken fern up off the ground. What happened I asked where are we? “They say a Ranger found us and then a group of them brought us back here”. I tried to sit up but couldn’t. Lisa said “Lay still and rest”, but I kept trying to sit up so eventually she put her hand behind my shoulder and neck and helped me up. My first thoughts were “my God, I have gone back in time”. I could not have told you what time exactly, I could not understand what I was seeing, but I did know that this was not the 22nd century.

There was a rock ceiling, and a dirt floor. There were fires but no smoke or very little and I racked my brain to think where had I seen people dressed like this before, and then it came to me! Way back when I was searching YouTube for “militia”, I came across videos with people dressed very similar to this, but my first recollection of people like this was when Lisa and I went to the cinema and saw The Last Of The Mohicans with Daniel Day Lewis as Natty Bumpo. My head reeled and I lay back down and slept.

When I woke again it was night time. The only light came from the glowing fires. There was a fire near me now and Lisa was sitting cross legged in front of it eating something she held in her hands. The smell of roast meat came to me and I was suddenly very hungry. Then thirst overcame my need for food and I asked Lisa if there was any water. The meat was varied and all tasted great. But they would not let me eat my fill. Over the coming days I regained some of my strength and was able to get up and wander around my new home.

The open part to this rock overhang was blocked by young trees that had been only partly cut at the base and laid back against the rock to conceal the living quarters. There were racks of meat drying slowly over fires and animal skins on frames leaning against the walls. Each fire was a separate group site, but there was a communal camp fire over to one side of this cave like home. Wandering around was like being in a museum display, part stone age and part 18th century. There were bows and flintlock guns, people knapping rocks and making arrows. There was a constant coming and going of people bringing in firewood and water. As I gained more strength I was able to go outside but was warned not to go far and if I heard the sound of sticks being hit together I was to get into the cave as quickly as possible.

Most of the meat came from trap lines, but some hunting was done also. People, men and women they called Rangers ranged the surrounding areas every day as a precaution against intruders. It was one of these Rangers who had found Lisa and I. There were gardens, but they were out of sight and not easily found unless you knew where to look. Not far away was a creek in which could be found turtles and eels. Large stands of Cumbungi or what I called cattail grew along the creek banks. These apparently supplied a variety of foods and the reed stems were used to make arrows. As soon as I was well enough to get about at a normal pace, we were asked if we wished to stay or leave. We decided to stay.

Each day I was taught a new skill and got to practice the skills I had learnt. I took my turn at various chores including gardening, water carrying, standing guard, foraging for firewood far from our shelter, scraping and stretching animal skins, tending the fires that dried the meat, and digging toilet holes in the gardens. I longed to tend the trap lines and hunt with my .22. But I was told that the .22 Berretta was not to be used for hunting, and instead kept in reserve for defence. This brought back the realisation that this seemingly idyllic lifestyle is always under the threat of being destroyed by others that are also trying to survive, if not by the enemy itself, then by our own people.

I learnt to make traps and how to trap. I also learnt how to get close to animals, something I had never been able to do before. I learnt to look for sign and started accompanying the Rangers who were sometimes gone for days. Once a Ranger and I spotted a group of people camped. We scented the smoke from their fires before we saw them. We watched them until they broke camp and moved on noting the direction they were travelling. Then we returned home to make a report.

Chapter 2. The Diary one year later.

I don’t know if anyone will read this, but it gives me some satisfaction being able to record the details of my life here. Lisa and I have a son now. My old clothes have been cut up to make baby clothes and nappies, the washing of which is a major undertaking using hot rocks in a rock basin not far from our shelter. It took us sometime to get used to sharing the same space with everyone else and we were not used to having to keep quiet when having sex. Many couples we found go bush for sex and only work and sleep in the shelter.

My clothing now consists of mostly leather except for a cloth breechclout and a shirt. Lisa and I made our own moccasins and leggings and frock. Our sleeping bags were of no use under these living conditions and were stripped down for the material. This went to making our undershirts. We have furs made into what are called “matchcoats”, but these are only worn in winter. Our bedding of bracken fern is also covered in furs.

I don’t miss electricity or anything else about my old lifestyle. Truth be told this life seems a lot easier than the life we had before the invasion. We still live with the constant knowledge that we may one day be found by others, but it no longer scares us. We are confident that we will be able to handle whatever comes our way. I am running out of room on this page of parchment, and the lead pencil hammered out of a round ball needs re hammering to a point, so I will stop writing for now.

Summer 2013.

Period Movie.

2011-10-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

Primitive Skills DVD 2 Now Available.

2011-10-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

My Primitive Skills DVD 2 is now available. The price of each DVD, one and two is $25.00 or both DVDs for $35.00.

PLEASE NOTE: To all those who have purchased my Primitive Skills DVDs.
Recently we noticed that our DVD burner is registering the wrong DVD length, ie 140 minutes instead of 120 minutes. This means you will still have recieved a full DVD, but the content may differ from the index. If you find any discrepency such as a part of a series missing EG part 2 of something but no part 1, please let me know & I will replace it free of any charge.
Thank you.
Regards, Keith aka Le Loup.

Payment can be in cash or cheque to: Keith Burgess, MSF 2007, Armidale 2350.

You can email me at : historicaltrekker@gmail.com and I can send you a PayPal Payment Request.

New England Colonial Living History Group Annual Winter Solstice Masquerade Party

2011-07-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

Membership is FREE. The annual Winter Solstice Party is FREE. FREE food & drinks. Skills workshops are FREE. ALL activities are FREE!

18th Century Living History, Bushcraft, Survival, and Primitive Skills.

2011-07-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

NEW ENGLAND COLONIAL LIVING HISTORY GROUP 1680-1760 (Armidale/Guyra/Uralla NSW)
http://eighteenthcenturylivinghistory.freeforums.org/

Primitive Skills DVD. Cover and Index.

2011-07-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

Every item in this index is on each DVD.

The cost of this DVD is $15 including P&P. If you email me at: historicaltrekker@gmail.com I can get PayPal to send you an invoice. Or you can send a cheque/money order/cash to: Keith H. Burgess, MSF 2007 Armidale NSW 2350.

Armidale, New England NSW Australia. 18th Century Living History Group.

2011-07-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

The forum address has changed since this video was made. Our forum is now at:
http://eighteenthcenturylivinghistory.freeforums.org/

Primitive Skills DVD. Happy Customers.

2011-07-05T22:33:00.000-07:00

BOOK REVIEW QUOTES.

Very good. Basically a lot of short videos demonstrating different aspects relating to historical skills, primitive, and pertinent to survivalism. Only $10. You'll spend more at a fast food joint.
Glad I got it. Good to see the lad in action. Good to see the demos. Especially the fire making. And the cord demo cleared up some stuff for me. But there's more than that and a lot of 'aha' moments for me.
If you haven't looked into this approach before, check out his blogs and youtubes.

Well done is all i can say not in to the hole primitive thing but watched it 2 times and even the wife watched.

Arrived today. Nice set of skills demonstrated. Liked the minimalist knapsack.

Got mine yesterday, just finished watching. Good stuff Keith.
Keep up the good work.

Primitive Skills DVD.

2011-05-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

I had a phone call from a chap in West Australia a while back saying that he had heard of me but had no computor to view my videos, & could I please produce a skills video for him. Well I have, & can just about fit all my videos on one DVD. I gave him a price of $10.00 off the top of my head, & he seemed pleased with that. So the outcome is that I can now offer these videos for sale if anyone is interested.

Just in case there should not be room for all (I think there is), mention your preferences, e.g. fire lighting or other.

My New Book. Primitive Fire Lighting-Flint & Steel & Fire-bow.

2011-02-20T16:02:00.000-08:00

New Book, Primitive Fire Lighting. Flint & Steel & Fire Bow By Keith H. Burgess.

2010-12-05T04:16:00.000-08:00

My new book has finally been published on LuLu, you can get it in hard copy as a book, or you can download it. Pasting the following link into your browser, or by clicking on it here will take you to my book on LuLu. http://www.lulu.com/browse/search.php?fListingClass=0&fSearch=primitive+fire+lighting

Or you can put LULU in your search engine and go to LULU, then either type in woodscraft or bushcraft or the name Keith Burgess (there is two Keith Burgess on LULU but you will know which book is mine).

Primitive Fire Lighting-Flint & Steel & Fire Bow.

Author's Spotlight Page:

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/tablelands

FOR SALE OR TRADE. Sashes, Garters & Utility Straps. 18th Century.

2010-12-02T21:15:00.000-08:00

These are all loom woven.

18th century sashes. Fully beaded $150.00AU, beaded fringe only, $75.00AU

Legging garters. $50.00AU

Sashes with unfinished fringe. $50.00AU

19th century sashes 2mtres 700. $175.00AU

Utility straps for swords, cartridge boxes, pouches & bags. 1metre 700. $50.00AU

As above but narrower. $15.00-$20.00-$35.00AU

Living History Promotional Video.

2010-09-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

A Hunting We Will Go.

2010-09-02T02:00:00.001-07:00

A HUNTING WE WILL GO

Your browser does not support iframes.

Our Totem is The Raven.

2010-08-16T02:17:00.000-07:00

Daniel Boone 1936.

2010-08-16T02:14:00.000-07:00

Living History

2010-05-20T01:33:00.001-07:00

The Frontier Living History Center At Providence Plantation from See That Again Productions on Vimeo.

Perfume.

2010-04-16T18:41:00.001-07:00

Farinelli.Il Castrato_Stefano Dionisi.

2010-04-16T15:24:00.001-07:00

Kentucky Rifle 1955.

2010-04-06T15:22:00.000-07:00

Mohawk 1956.

2010-04-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

Lafitte, Pirate or Hero?

2010-04-02T18:55:00.000-07:00

Moving Content.

2010-03-22T14:52:00.000-07:00

SURVIVAL VIDEOS AND POSTS ARE BEING MOVED TO:
Australian Survival Blog at: http://aussiesurvive.blogspot.com/

The New Robin Hood with Russel Crowe and Kate Blanchett

2010-03-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

1905 silent movie, before & after the Great Earthquake.

2010-03-13T15:35:00.000-08:00

In 1905, an unknown cameraman filmed a streetcar trip along San Francisco's Market Street. The following year, the Great Earthquake struck, and he filmed the trip again.

Wolf Man, I could not resist it!

2010-03-02T19:49:00.001-08:00

The Scarlet Pimpernell 1943.

2010-01-23T15:24:00.000-08:00

http://www.tubemotion.com/media/3521/The_Scarlet_Pimpernel_1934/

We Shall Remain.

2010-01-16T14:01:00.001-08:00

Late 18th century revolution. Slaves.

2010-01-15T16:24:00.000-08:00

My Youngest Son Kaelem In New Movie, "Dungoona"!

2009-12-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I know this is not a period movie, but you can't blame a Dad for being proud of his son's efforts!
Kaelem can be seen in the Bloopers sex scene with the female star getting a little bit too enthusiastic!
Good on yah Kaelem, well done, Love Da.
http://www.one80project.com.au/news_where_are_they_now.php

You will see that Kaelem is wearing one of the famous "Belmets", this has to be a truelly Australian hat! Kaelem's Mother designed and knitted these Belmets and the movie Director has one too!

Ten Canoes Part 1. Making The Australian Bark Canoe.

2009-12-04T18:41:00.000-08:00

The coastal and river canoes are made in the same way as these swamp canoes, only in a different design. The swamp canoe needs to have a shallow draft, so the ends are shaped differently to the ordinary canoe used in deeper waters.

Ten Canoes part 2. Making The Australian Bark Canoe.

2009-12-04T18:38:00.000-08:00

The Making Of ten Canoes.

2009-12-04T17:04:00.001-08:00

Alone In The Wilderness 1

2009-11-30T22:01:00.000-08:00

The Tapestry.

2009-11-25T22:22:00.001-08:00

Hessian Rebels.

2009-11-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

Curtesy of Flintlock & Tomahawk.
http://flintlockandtomahawk.blogspot.com/2009/11/1776-or-hessian-renegades-1910.html

Tomahawk Throwing.

2009-11-17T10:04:00.001-08:00

The Count Of Monte Cristo.

2009-11-06T01:04:00.000-08:00

American Revolution-The Buckaneer- 1958

2009-11-06T00:59:00.000-08:00

Tyhe Count Of Monte Cristo.

2009-11-06T00:49:00.001-08:00

The Buckaneers 1956

2009-11-06T00:42:00.000-08:00

The Adventures of long John Silver.

2009-11-06T00:30:00.000-08:00

Becoming Jane.

2009-11-06T00:26:00.001-08:00

Les Miserables

2009-11-06T00:19:00.000-08:00

Les Miserables.

2009-11-05T23:46:00.000-08:00

18th Century Trading with the Indians. A Living History Presentation.

2009-08-15T16:17:00.000-07:00

18TH CENTURY LIVING HISTORY GROUP MEMBERSHIP.

2009-06-11T01:25:00.001-07:00

Visit NEW ENGLAND COLONIAL LIVING HISTORY GROUP Armidale NSW

Living History Worldwide

2009-04-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Visit Living History Worldwide

original silver and pewter items for sale.

2009-01-08T19:20:00.000-08:00

BAG & EQUIPMENT STRAPS, SASHES, GARTERS & BAG.

2009-01-05T14:58:00.001-08:00

THESE ARE COPIES OF ORIGINALS, SOME OF WHICH CAN BE SEEN IN THE "ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION." PRICES MAY VARY. iF YOU CAN SEND US A DESCRIPTION, WE WILL GIVE YOU A PRICE.

Price List:
Fully beaded sash-$200
Fringe beading only-$150
Plain sash, no beading-$100
Military straps-$75
Beaded garters-$50
PLUS POST AND PACKAGE.

Primitive Fire Lighting-Flint & Steel. FOREWORD.

2008-10-03T20:11:00.000-07:00

FOREWORD.

“Dwarves can make a fire almost anywhere out of almost anything, wind or no wind; but they could not do it that night, not even Oin & Gloin, who were specially good at it”.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

“They kindle fire, by striking together a piece of white or yellow pyrites and a flint stone, over a piece of touchwood”.
Alexander Mackenzie; among the Indians, 1789.

Archaeological evidence now exists showing that fire has been in use by humans for over 1.6 million years. Early humans (Homo Erectus) no doubt used fire for protection against wild animals as well as warmth, light, cooking and perhaps the fire hardening of wooden tipped spears and the straightening of arrow shafts.
Fire is also credited with the beginning of social groups. Whether for warmth, protection or cooking, early humans would have been brought together around the communal fire. Today the fireplace is still an important focal point in some homes and many homes still use wood-burning stoves for cooking, heating and hot water. The campsite would not be half as enjoyable without a campfire, and fire is still an important survival tool even today.

“Fierce winds and blowing snow reduced the men to huddling among large rocks, unable even to start a fire.”
Samuel Hearne, Canada, 1770.

Making fire is not always as easy as it seems. In hot, dry, windy weather the discarded cigarette butt unthinkingly deposited into dry grass can soon start a bushfire. But in non-favourable conditions it can sometimes be impossible for some people to make fire, no matter what they do. After reading this book and practicing the skills herein, you will be able to make fire anywhere there is fuel to burn, regardless of weather conditions.
Flint and steel fire lighting uses renewable resources and is a sustainable method of fire lighting. The skills and knowledge used in flint and steel fire lighting, in this book, are transferable to other methods, such as the Fire-Bow, the Reading Glass, and modern methods such as matches and lighter.

“This induced me to resolve not to travel more by land without my gun, powder and shot, steel, spunge (punk wood) and flint, for striking a fire…”
Patrick Campbell, 1792.

This book was written for living historians, historical re-enactors and especially for historical trekkers. But flint and steel fire lighting is also of special importance as a survival fire lighting method, especially for those interested in long term wilderness survival. For with flint and steel you will never be without fire.
This book is also written in the hope that it will be read by writers of historical novels, for a story is made all the better when it includes the correct information and is so easily spoilt when an informed reader knows that a particular period living skill is performed incorrectly or the method used simply doesn’t work.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE AUTHOR`S OWN WORK IN LIVING HISTORY AND EXPERIMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY

ORDERING & PAYMENT INFORMATION.

2008-10-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

c
Mr K H Burgess, “Wychwood Forest” MSF 2007 Armidale NSW 2350
Phone: 02 67755292

Primitive Fire Lighting –Flint and Steel.
Gunnister Man’s Replica Wool Knitted Purse.

Please read this information before ordering your copy of “Primitive Fire Lighting –Flint and Steel.”

Cost.
Book cost ………………. $11.00 per book Aust.
Gunnister Purse cost $50.00 Aust.
Australia post & packaging: $ 4.00 Ordinary mail: no insurance.
Overseas post & packaging: $ 5.50 Ordinary airmail: no insurance
50-125 GRMS WEIGHT. http://www1.auspost.com.au/download/ms160.pdf
Payment options.

In Australia.
· Direct Bank transfer (Australia only)
BSB 932 000, Account 654860, Name Mr K H Burgess
· Paypal. (Please contact and an invoice will be emailed to you).
· Bank cheque.
· Money order.
· Personal cheques. (Item will be mailed after cheque has cleared.)

Overseas.
· Paypal. (Please contact and an invoice will be emailed to you).
· Money order.
· Personal cheque (In Australian dollars)

Refunds policy.
No returns will be accepted and no refunds will be made.
No responsibility taken for goods lost in mailing .

Contact details.
Email: historicaltrekker@gmail.com.au
Postal: Attn: Keith H. Burgess, “Wychwood Forest” MSF 2007 Armidale NSW, 2350, Australia

PRIMITIVE FIRE LIGHTING-FLINT & STEEL.

2008-10-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

New Book for living historians & historical trekkers.
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is to inform you that my new book is now available, Primitive Fire Lighting-Flint and Steel. By Keith H. Burgess. This book was written for living historians, historical trekkers and survivalists. There is information in this book that I have not as yet seen published in the USA. Plant tinders, preparation, wet weather fire lighting, emergency fire lighting methods, reading glass fire lighting, and more. If you are serious about authenticity, then you should get this book, it will improve on your fire lighting skills in general and especially with flint and steel, and it will add to your knowledge. The cost is $11 Aust plus $4 P&P Aust, and $5.50 overseas. You can view the book index and purchase details on blog: http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/ Email: historicaltrekker@gmail.com
Mail: Keith H. Burgess, Wychwood Forest, MSF 2007, Armidale NSW 2350, Australia.
Regards to all, Keith H. Burgess. New England Colonial Living History Group.

POSTAL CHARGES.

2008-10-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

AUSTRALIA/ASIA. p&p $4.00 OVERSEAS. p&p $5.50
BOOK. PRIMITIVE FIRE LIGHTING-FLINT AND STEEL. $11.00Aust.
GUNNISTER MAN'S REPLICA PURSE. $50.00Aust.

Email: historicaltrekker@gmail.com

REPLICA LATE 17TH CENTURY GUNNISTER PURSE.

2008-10-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

REPLICA GUNNISTER MAN'S PURSE $50 Aust. Plus P&P.

ORIGINAL GUNNISTER MAN'S WOOL KNITTED PURSE, LATE 17th century.

2008-10-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

original Gunnister Man's purse.
This is the original Gunnister Man's purse.Note the loops at the top for the drawstring, other copies do not include these loops, but the copies below do include these loops. The original colour is in debate, but it is thought that it may have been originally a gray wool. The copies that Carolyn makes all contain colours that were available in Gunnister Man's period.