Period Correct Shoots

[Major 2]

Well, if there are no trailer parks, then there can be no tornados.... right ? ...

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

I'll add my suport to Cheorkee Reb's suggestion. There needs to be exceptions to every rule -- weather extremes or physical problems are a couple of examples that come quickest to mind -- but it seems to me that if we did it for the buckskinning period, we can strive for it in this era, too.

Caleb, I agree but we have to keep in mind that there was always primitive and tin tepee areas.  The biggest difference here in California today is the primitive area is off in the bushes where the tin tepee's use to be.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Del
Thank you . We all need to work together on this .     we don't and won't have short strokes . SASS members are not our foes they just enjoy shooting a different game . Yes we love all the Authenticity and they love the SPEED . We need to work with the new members to keep them on the same sheet of music . As we try to strive to have things as  period correct as possible .
Thanks for keeping this civil and not turning it into a cat fight .

[Delmonico]

Del
Thank you . We all need to work together on this .     we don't and won't have short strokes . SASS members are not our foes they just enjoy shooting a different game . Yes we love all the Authenticity and they love the SPEED . We need to work with the new members to keep them on the same sheet of music . As we try to strive to have things as  period correct as possible .
Thanks for keeping this civil and not turning it into a cat fight .

I find it funny, there are folks who get tired of "trolls" like the one earlier in this thread who come in here and bash folks who want to do things more historical, yet think nothing of bashing those who are wanting to play a different game.  It's very childish for either side to do it.  And the anti-gunners would just laugh to see it. 

[Tjackstephens]

So very true. Tj

[Ima Sure Shot]

And don't forget, NEW members have up to a year to get their gear together, if it is a club shoot.Celeste

[olpete]

the more period correct attitude is primarily attracted me to ncows in the first place.  ive been highly involved in strickly accurate 1700 and 1820  1840 era events for 2 decades  and still am  so i back the notion of "trying ta do it right"  great discussion!

[Tsalagidave]

Well, if there are no trailer parks, then there can be no tornados.... right ? ...

There are no such thing as tornadoes. Chuck Norris just hates trailer parks.

-Dave

[Tsalagidave]

As another hated "thread counter" I support the notion of period correct shooting matches.  I have always had trouble understanding why those who dress up for period events are so resentful of those who also dress up but are interested in the little details and are intersted in getting as close to a museum quality living history impression as they physically can. Likewise, I don't resent those who like themed camping/shooting but prefer to not take it any further than that. Honestly, I have met jerks on both sides of the authenticity coin. Everyone has hobbies for their own reasons and to each his own. I like being an authentic but it does not interfere with the friends I choose.

For what it's worth, If SASS would allow the cowboy attire to be modern, I'd gladly show up in levi 501s, boots, ranch hat and 6-gun in a modern rig that complies with a modern western look. I just enjoy shooting with friends. Since there is a historic or hollywood  dress code, I'll comply since I enjoy the company. From a living history point of view, I love details and would invest the time in a special event though.

-Dave

[Tjackstephens]

Sounds good to me cowboy. Tj

[John Smith]

For what it's worth, If SASS would allow the cowboy attire to be modern, I'd gladly show up in levi 501s, boots, ranch hat and 6-gun in a modern rig that complies with a modern western look. I just enjoy shooting with friends. Since there is a historic or hollywood  dress code, I'll comply since I enjoy the company. From a living history point of view, I love details and would invest the time in a special event though.

-Dave
[/quote]
What you described is "legal" SASS attire.

[Tsalagidave]

That's good to know.  I may go comfy at the next big meet.

Thanks

-Dave

[Thunder Rhodes]

I have to admit that as a newbee to this game, I really enjoy the NCOWS side of things! When you are with shooters who care about being period correct, they are much more likely to watch to teach you about what they use. That was the best part of my last shoot!

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Interesting that this should be brought up ....I have a foot in both worlds, as a reenactor and also a member of SASS

I am planning to make a Wells Fargo Box with an interior of a plastic cooler.

But the real issue is about 'if you don't like the club, change it'. I truly tired ... and got the 'Well we have always doe it this way' ....began to feel like I was in the Army ....

So? The moral of this story is that I changed clubs and have not looked back ...

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I agree with Cherokee Reb in that it would be nice to see a shoot - and the activities afterward - stay "in costume," so to speak.  And for those who noticed, I put "in costume" in quotes, because I don't consider my old clothing styled clothes as "costume."  They're simply of a different era.  Hell, I'm old enough to remember several different "eras" of clothing as many of you here do too!   I know, because I've had the pleasure of meeting many of the responders to this thread!

When I was a resident of the "PC" town at the National Shoot a couple years back ... I believe it was named Buffalo Scrotum or something like that ... I tried very hard to stay to stay in character as much of the time as possible, and I believe I did - except when drinking a can or should I say canS of Pepsi - and even then I often poured it into my copper mug 9 times out of 10.  I try VERY hard to stay PC even to using a bone & bristle toothbrush with my tooth powder or my now broken wooden comb for my hair.  Sorry - I did use modern shampoo, but it IS in an old PC container!

Anyhoo ... one thing I DID notice was that even in the PC area, when the likker started to flow, some/many seemed to forget the PC details and perhaps that isn't too hard to understand.  But we still had fun!

Threadcounters are welcome, in my opinion - I learn from them ... just don't berate me or my friends if we're new and simply don't KNOW what the "right way" always is.  It's kind of like religion ... or politics ... (both subjects of which I'd prob'ly rather NOT discuss  ) I respect yours and I'll probably ask questions about the what&whys, but don't try to ram it down my throat and say that your way is the ONLY way.

But as always ... have fun and be period correct - whenever you can.

By the way, my pard Delmonico (and others like Pancho, et al) put it right:  we should support ANY other shooter as our 2nd Amendment rights are under SERIOUS attack, and

"We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."      B.Franklin

[James Hunt]

I have come to believe that authenticity is a continuum. A journey and not a destination. Beginning with desire and little knowledge, it is an endless trek that many cease to travel at various points for various reasons, few of us approach the asymptote that is near complete understanding. As such the word means different things to different people.

It does little good for those in the beginning to scream "thread counter" or for those in the middle to rationalize their intransigence to move further; and certainly it proves nothing if the committed few - and that expression rightfully implies some psychological quirks - to alienate themselves from the "lesser" masses with an attitude of contempt.

To provide any structure for an "authentic" organization, one has to embrace a rather broad spectrum of enthusiasts all claiming authenticity. I have found that enjoying only the company of "authentic" personages as I see it, requires a small group of like minded individuals, a handful really - beyond a small group a fair amount of tolerance is required.

For me the ultimate authentic event is you and I standing there with our primary source references, wet, cold, and rheumatic, facing the fact that the horses have wandered off in the night; works well for me but not realistic for a shooting organization. Most define authenticity as a reasonable external appearance - for a few it cuts deep to the bone.

[bowiemaker]

All shoots are not created equal. Our group does not have the option of building any permanent structures so the Wal-Mart canopies were a welcome non-pc element when shooting on a 100 degree day. I do this because it is fun. Heat exhaustion is not fun. We all wear heavy period clothes, boots and hats when shorts and t-shirts would be more comfortable but we still arrive in cars rather than on horses.

I will continue to strive to be more pc but it will come a little at a time. As stated earlier, part of the process is learning what is and is not pc but practical needs in a modern world must be considered. I plan to continue shooting mostly smokeless for several practical reasons even though smokeless powders were not commonly used in the period.

I plan to work on something more correct to serve as a cooler but it will still have my water bottles and soft drinks inside. Since we do park our cars a fair distance from the range a gun cart is tempting but I don't think I will build one. I am not ready to start rolling my own unfiltered cigarettes or going behind a bush with a couple of pages from the Sears & Roebuck catalog.

Above all, for me, it has to remain fun. If it becomes a chore, stressful or terribly uncomfortable and ceases to be fun I will find something else to do. As it is, I really enjoy getting together with a great group of people every month and having fun. We make a reasonable effort to look and play the part but we know that being too strict will discourage participants, especially newcomers.

[Ima Sure Shot]

The time frame we represent goes up to 1899.  Some folk seem to forget that what may not be historicaly  correct  for one time frame may very well be for another.  Iron  Pipe framed awnings were common on store fronts in the 1890's to shade the windows, & doors before advent of air conditioning, and extend the floor space for goods (research restoring old 1890s buildings)  The shades we used were to help prevent heat stroke and were cheap.  As stated earlier, we do not have the option of building shelter.  I think we can do a much better job of getting modern stuff out of sight though.  Celeste

[Steel Horse Bailey]

James Hunt ... well said, Amigo!

[WaddWatsonEllis]

I seem to have a foot in two worlds ... that of 1850 and that of the 'almost New West'.

When I do reenactments in Old Sacramento, the time perioud is 1849-1860.  The name of te game is cap and ball rifles (single shot) and that brand new pistol, the 1851 Colt.

Then when I shoot SASS, I am suddenly transported to the Victorian Era and cartridged weapons, with my two Schofields, 1873 Winchester and 1887 Winchester shotgun ... mix in a Remington Pedersoli rolling block in .45-70, and it gets really challenging to know just what era I am representing ....

Then there is the clothes ... it seems as if all Gold Rush dress shirts were always white with stand up collars and tied cravats ... where by the Victorian era out west, a patterned or colored shirt could be used with celluloid cllar and a premade tie and stickpin  ...