Robert Morrison asks....

First, what time and local are you portraying?

As to a rifle, first try out different ones at a group gathering or range. There are people always willing to help and let you try a gun . Ido it all the time. Once you decide on a rifle or pistol or tradegun buy the best qaulir\ty you can afford. Even if you have to buy a pre-owned gun instead of a new one. Also, as to the knife,

make sure it fits in the time you portray. You don't want to show up with a bowie knife if you are doing Rogers Rangers or Lewis and Clark. Again, watch the materials and buy the best qauilty you can.

ithout knowing who the reader of this post is, I can only assume that if you skipped over the first five subjects and headed directly for "Guns and Weapons"...you are probably a man. Take no offense at this assumption, please. But from my observations in the past, it is the guns and weapons that draw men into this hobby. Often, a man buys the guns and knives first, then joins the hobby so they have a place to use them and show them off. Women, on the other hand, usually are either following their men or are first attracted by other aspects of Living History. Learning to use a black powder weapon usually comes later. Either way, guns and weapons do play an important part in the 18th Century Life, which means they should play an important part in your portray of 18th Century Life.

Now, if you haven't figured it out yet, the host of this website is a woman. (Hi, I'm Carol, nice to meet you!) And I'll be honest...I am not an expert at guns. I have shot a smooth-bore rifle several times, but have not learned enough of the skill to teach anyone. But... I have friends who are. Gunsmiths, knife-makers, and many more. Unfortunately, most of them are shy and aren't used to writing articles. So, please forgive the big blank space at the bottom of this page while I do some arm-twisting to gather the stuff needed to make this website complete.