From the Stuff That Works File: I never intended to become a walking billboard for 5.11 Tactical, but, well... here we are. Thing is, if you like to bang around hard in the outdoors, you’d be hard-pressed to find better-designed or more durable gear. The first item of theirs that I picked up was a push-pack — a modern-day possibles bag that is … [Read more...] about Working The Trapline — Ramblers & Spooks

Andy Hedges has one of the best job descriptions around. He calls himself a Cowboy Songster. The “songster” tradition dates back to the late 19th Century and early 20th Century, sort of a “modern” iteration of the minstrel trade. Black and White musicians alike shared a repertoire of story songs and ballads like Frankie & Johnny. The songster … [Read more...] about Roll On, Cowboys

Spencer Dutton and his ravishing (and ravished) fiancé Alexandra look to be leaving Africa for Montana after Episode 4 of 1923.  I shall miss the Africa storyline, and its magnificent landscapes, but, well... a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do, and Spencer is needed at the Yellowstone. Nevertheless, dreams of Africa are always welcome … [Read more...] about The Ghost & The Darkness In Walnut And Steel

The season’s upon us. Soon, Badass Santa will climb into his sleigh and soar into the night sky on his magical mission to bring trade goods to the world. Surely, Badass Santa is packing a Sleigh Gun. Oh, yes, there is such a thing — a large-bore muzzleloader cut down to the perfect size to manage in a sleigh. Here’s a collection of Swedish … [Read more...] about Firearms Of The Frontier Partisans — Sleigh Gun

The army is in great spirits, and full of rage and ferocity at the rebellious rascals, who both poisoned and chewed the musket balls, in order to make them the more fatal. — Lt. John Waller, British 2nd Marine Battalion, Bunker Hill What now? Chewed musket balls? Yes, this was a thing — though what kind if thing it actually was is still a bit of … [Read more...] about Working The Trapline — Chewed Balls, The Furiosa & The Great Highland Pipes

“It is doubtful whether any other firearm in existence has shed so much human blood as this old rifle.” — W.W.H. Davis, Bucks County Historical Society    If you ever have a yearning to follow obscure tracks into dense thickets where you might get turned around and lost for days (or weeks, or years) at a time, you could do worse than … [Read more...] about Firearms Of The Frontier Partisans — The Edward Marshall Rifle

There is a game of thrones afoot in South Africa, as the newly inaugurated Zulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini faces challenges to his succession. The new King hunted and killed a lion in a ceremonial rite of his ascension — but it was probably the easiest aspect of his journey. From Unherd.com: The 48-year-old King is already in trouble. He is … [Read more...] about Working The Trapline — Zulu Game Of Thrones

I hied off down a sidetrail Saturday evening — one populated by hunters and fur traders, Civil War soldiers, Mexican partisans, a Norse god, a wizard and a spirit of forest, field and stream. It was a delightful journey. It started, oddly enough, on Facebook. One of the frontier-related pages I follow — Just Frontier Trash, 1750-1790 — kicked up … [Read more...] about ‘A Pointed Old Hat’