The past couple of days, the Muse has thrown music in my path that brightens the day. Like a lot of folks, I run on music as fuel; it’s as vital as a bracing cup of coffee in the morning. Things are kind of dark in the world of music these days. Independent venues are under existential threat. My outfit just finished the last of three gigs we … [Read more...] about The Bunkhouse Sessions

Thanks to many generous contributors, we’re right about halfway to the $3,000 goal for the Frontier Partisans GoFundMe Campaign (link to the right). My pard Lynn Woodward is hard at work on getting the Trading Post swept out, running off the loafers, getting the chinking between the logs filled in and the plunder organized. I am still nailing … [Read more...] about Frontier Partisans Situation Report

We’ve got two significant irons in the fire at Frontier Partisans: First, we’re opening a long-overdue Frontier Partisans Trading Post —  plunder and foofaraw to help you represent and celebrate the frontier spirit in the 21st century. We promise good value for your plews — not rendezvous prices —  and we won’t ply you with busthead whiskey … … [Read more...] about Taking Aim At A Frontier Partisans Trading Post And Podcast

Our own Dave Allen has scouted up a most enticing tribute to one of the greatest of the Frontier Partisans. As those who frequent this campfire know, I am deeply enamored of Frederick Courteney Selous. The great hunter was, in many ways the archetype and ideal of the Frontier Partisan, playing a role similar to that of Daniel Boone in Kentucky, … [Read more...] about 1885 Courteney Stalking Rifle

Cut the sign of some interesting doin’s around the all-purpose frontier tool/weapon, the tomahawk. Today, the Cornplanter tomahawk is being formally repatriated to the Seneca Nation. The tomahawk was a gift from George Washington to the Seneca war leader. The son of a Dutch trader and a Seneca woman, Cornplanter was a highly effective partisan in … [Read more...] about Day Of The Tomahawk

’Twas a fine Yule celebration here at the Clan Cornelius homestead. We have a set of Christmas traditions that we cleave to: tamales and tortilla soup on Christmas Eve; a roast beast for Christmas dinner. An easy ramble on Christmas Day afternoon. Ice skating on Christmas night. We are not extravagant in the gifting, and tend toward the … [Read more...] about Stuff That Works — Yuletide Plunder

Archival researchers have located what appears to be an authentic photograph from the 1757 siege at Fort William Henry at the foot of Lake George.* The photograph is the only known likeness of a particularly dangerous French and Indian War-era coureur du bois known to the English as The Dog Man (L’Homme Chien). He can clearly be seen at third from … [Read more...] about Dangerous Coureur Du Bois Spotted In 1757 Photograph

If you haven’t scouted out Scavenology yet, git ye moccasins on and head off into the West Virginia hinterlands. This labor of love of attorney John Bryan and his family consistently turns up artifacts and history that make the Frontier Partisans heart pump hard and fast… What is “Scavenology”? Let Bryan explain: We are fortunate to live in the … [Read more...] about Scavengeology

Season 4 of Outlander featured an eye-catching detail. One of the Cherokee warriors encountered by the Frasers in the North Carolina backcountry is depicted carrying a blue-painted trade musket. This is a nice, authentic touch — some of the cheap, lightweight muskets manufactured for the Carolina deerskin trade were, in fact, painted blue. … [Read more...] about Blue Gun Blues

Oh, the glory… My hand and heart yearn for this piece, which is entirely out of my league. Ah, well. I am glad it exists. Here is the Karamojo Bell tribute Rigby Highland Stalker, presented beautifully. Class of the field. From John Rigby & Co. The African big game hunter is celebrated worldwide as an advocate for accurate shot placement … [Read more...] about Karamojo Bell Rigby