1882 Black Powder hunt at Weltevreden farm 2017 ( 3rd hunt)

**Patocazador** · 27-11-2016, 20:20

Did they have air mattresses back then?

**Von Gruff** · 28-11-2016, 02:06

That stretcher brings back memories (no air matress though) of us as youngsters in the 1950's sleeping on them in the big canvas tent (16ftx9ft) that dad made on mothers sewing machine. It was our holiday living quarters for weeks at a time during the summer months holidays untill he lent it to someone who didn't know about making sure it was completely dry before rolling it up and storing it in the sack. By the time dad got it back it had moulded beyond use.

**Gert Odendaal** · 28-11-2016, 07:33

Originally Posted by Patocazador

Did they have air mattresses back then?

No, they used straw mattresses...

Von Gruff, yes we used it when the family was hunting for a week or two ....but new technology always takes precedents ....I am going to enjoy making the two stretchers...

**Gert Odendaal** · 03-02-2017, 18:46

Update: Members , I received a Martini Henry rifle from a friend to use in this year`s 1882 era Black powder hunt. I did purchase Martini Henry brass and paper patch bullets from Hansie Minnaar who took over Ken Steward Core -Bonded bullet business. Hansie really makes great quality bullets and brass from every scarce caliber you can think of. He made 10.75x68 brass and bullets for a friend of mine , which is a scarce caliber rifle.

This year we will be joined by another Black Powder enthusiast /re-enactment specialist Wallace Vosloo and a friend of his Clive Cheney , a knowledgeable bow hunter, former Game Ranger (from the Golden Era in the 1980 years) the Kruger National Park . We definitely will learn a lot from these two new participants.

Preparations are rife..

Regards

Gert Odendaal

**Gert Odendaal** · 05-02-2017, 20:41

Another piece of good news is an American Hunter will be participate in our 2017 Black powder hunt as well..I am fortunate that he will be bringing along a beautiful old 1871/84 Black Powder Mauser with for me to hunt with. My black powder rifle collection is starting to expand ...I now have a 1897 Westley Richards Specially made for the ZAR Martini Henry, a 1871/84 Mauser and now I only need a .557 Snider...

**DaavG** · 06-02-2017, 09:01

Originally Posted by Gert Odendaal

a friend of his Clive Cheney , a knowledgeable bow hunter, former Game Ranger (from the Golden Era in the 1980 years) the Kruger National Park . We definitely will learn a lot from these two new participants.

I assume that this is the same Clive who wrote The Comprehensive Guide to Tracking? An incredible book Gert and hugely informative!!

**Gert Odendaal** · 06-02-2017, 19:47

Yes, you are correct, that is why I am looking forward discussing all these interesting subjects regarding hunting with him...

There will be long discussions around the campfire during this hunt...

Wallace Vosloo, has a Doctoral in Nuclear Science and is a Nuclear Physicist , an interesting person in is own right ..extremely knowledgeable, extremely talented aswell...and a great person to talk to...

I really am looking forward meeting these two gentleman while hunting...

**Von Gruff** · 07-02-2017, 08:27

What wouldn't a lot of us give be be able to join you on these expeditions and live life as we might like to do.

**Gert Odendaal** · 07-02-2017, 17:39

Good day Von Gruff, yes this event really is great to participate in..so much to learn and experience it really is one of a kind event.

**Gert Odendaal** · 08-02-2017, 17:26

Good day to all members ..
I commenced with preparation for this upcoming hunt ...I am making a pair of "Velskoene" for myself. Notice that wearing the velskoene without socks is necessary. The velskoen is molding it self around your feet..that is why a set of velskoene has only one owner..since we have different feet ....

The process:
This is nr. 9 velskoen, the last is a nr.9 naturally...I start with a set of thick cow hide soles..six to eight millimeters thick..

I secure the soles onto the bottom of the shoe last by nail to keep it in place.

Step 2
Secure the cow hide patterns to the sole by glueing it to the sole ..at this stage I removed the sole with the front part since it is glued on..

To fit the back -around piece I secure the sole/front flap to the last again with nais to ensure a correct fit and to enable me to glue the seams together..

With this pair I did secure all the parts by glueing it together around the last.so I will glue the soles tomorrow together and then start stitching the velskone together...

The parts are glued together an left overnight for the glue to cure..the soles will be glued onto the bottom of the velskoene ..the advantage of doing it this way is that there is a inner -sole already to making it a pleasure to wear on hunts ...this pair you see in this photo only has the inner sole glued on ..the thick cow hide sole will serve as a precaution to stop thorns penetrating through the thick cow hide soles..

Will upload more photos tomorrow...