Author Topic: The Kit Of The Corps (Read 358 times)

Trois Castors · « **on:** February 24, 2011, 03:43:49 PM »

[albumimg:bausp6dm]5151[/albumimg:bausp6dm]
The men of The Canadian Corps of Voyageurs refused to wear the red coat of the British.Because of their work they wore a capot,red toque,loose-fitting leggings and moccasins.
It is written that their standard equipment included a rifle,small axe and a knife.Also issued to each of them by the Crown was a sword,pike and a pistol! :?

mario · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2011, 11:29:14 PM »

"They generally came on parade with a pipe in their mouths and their rations of pork and bread stuck on their bayonets...they could not be got to wear [neck] stocks and such as did not use cravats came on parade with naked necks, and very often with rough beards."

Cox, Vol 2, 238, 240, as found in Gale, The Great Northwest Fur Trade, pages 145-146

If they had bayonets, they likely had muskets, not rifles. Not to mention rifles were quite uncommon in the area yet.

These guys were mostly to be used as laborers, not soldiers. My guess is they were allowed to wear their normal dress.

Might try contacting Fort William Historical Park in Canada for leads on written sources.

Also, good articles in general:

http://www.northwestjournal.ca/

bon chasse,

Mario

Puffer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2011, 02:09:35 PM »

IMHO, if suppled by the NWC = ?? ( perhaps - Long arm = a trade gun, axe just a gen. camp/belt style they reg. carried. Sword _ a captoe ( generic term for a short , single edged,bladed or poss. a form of cutlass.

But if supplied by the "crown: a little easier.

1. long arm _ a Bess ( not a rifle ) ( example D. Thompson served as an officer in a NWC uniit & although he carried a rifle in the PNW, He carried a "Bess" at this time.
2. Pistol = most likely an issue ( perhaps a Queen Ann)
3. Sword - perhaps same as above (except "officers" ( a brit saber)
4. Axe - see above

Jack

Trois Castors · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2011, 03:35:24 PM »

Thanks Mario and Jack, What I wrote was gleaned from this:
http://www.pinecone.on.ca/MAGAZINE/stor ... geurs.html
The word "rifle" in the article didn't sound right to me either.
I have a trade gun and a sea-service pistol

Would these do or would the musket(which pattern then)and different pistol be in order?

Puffer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2011, 05:09:06 PM »

Quote from: "Trois Castors"

Thanks Mario and Jack, What I wrote was gleaned from this:
http://www.pinecone.on.ca/MAGAZINE/stor ... geurs.html
The word "rifle" in the article didn't sound right to me either.
I have a trade gun and a sea-service pistol :lol:

BTW, it is interesting that the mil. was equipping them with pistols.

Jack

Kermit · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2011, 05:32:03 PM »

Puffer--is that "spittoons" or "spontoons." I can't see a spitoon as a defensive weapon.

Puffer · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2011, 08:20:21 PM »

Quote from: "Kermit"

Puffer--is that "spittoons" or "spontoons." I can't see a spitoon as a defensive weapon. :oops: :oops: :oops: :lol:

Puffer

Puffer · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2011, 09:06:05 PM »

A Side note on "CUTLASS'

2 Myths =
1. All looked like "pirate swords = WRONG
They were basically a short bladed "hanger" ( both straight & curved)
The "hilts/guards differed drastically, from the "saber style, Basket style, to the "pirate style"
2. They were only "naval weapons" = WRONG
In fact very often carried/preferred by those in the brush incl. NWC/HBC ( most often "genre" mentioned ) & the Military
Why ?? Because they "carried well" ( better than long blades ) They were VERY effective weapons ++ they were GREAT Tools ( think machete + great for dispatching game & dismemberment of same etc) )
IMO, our NWC bros carried what Worked, both as a weapon & tool.

Here is one I like ( good hand protection,sturdy/practical blade, Plain/simple ( something the NWC employee could afford )

Puffer

Puffer · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2011, 09:26:37 PM »

Quote from: "Puffer"

A Side note on "CUTLASS'

2 Myths =
1. All looked like "pirate swords = WRONG
They were basically a short bladed "hanger" ( both straight & curved)
The "hilts/guards differed drastically, from the "saber style, Basket style, to the "pirate style"
2. They were only "naval weapons" = WRONG
In fact very often carried/preferred by those in the brush incl. NWC/HBC ( most often "genre" mentioned ) & the Military
Why ?? Because they "carried well" ( better than long blades ) They were VERY effective weapons ++ they were GREAT Tools ( think machete + great for dispatching game & dismemberment of same etc) )
IMO, our NWC bros carried what Worked, both as a weapon & tool.

Here is one I like ( good hand protection,sturdy/practical blade, Plain/simple ( something the "common NWC employee could afford )

Puffer

Trois Castors · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2011, 02:50:18 PM »

Quote from: "Puffer"

A Side note on "CUTLASS'

Puffer

Thanks Jack, I think you may have already answered my next question.Which was does this "thing" here look anything like the swords on the trade lists?
[albumimg:3gdwu93s]5252[/albumimg:3gdwu93s][albumimg:3gdwu93s]5251[/albumimg:3gdwu93s][albumimg:3gdwu93s]5250[/albumimg:3gdwu93s]
I'm assuming not, but it came in some plunder,sooo.........

Puffer · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2011, 03:24:33 PM »

What is the hilt size & blade lenghth ?

To me it would "work" as a Great "Hunter"

No matter, YOU are a "lucky Dude" getting this "blade", IMHO.

Puffer

mario · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2011, 05:07:45 PM »

Quote from: "Trois Castors"

Thanks Jack, I think you may have already answered my next question.Which was does this "thing" here look anything like the swords on the trade lists?
[albumimg:3iehioi2]5252[/albumimg:3iehioi2][albumimg:3iehioi2]5251[/albumimg:3iehioi2][albumimg:3iehioi2]5250[/albumimg:3iehioi2]
I'm assuming not, but it came in some plunder,sooo.........

The blade, sure. But I'd switch out the handle and get a shell guard for it. It'd be a nice hunting sword.

Honestly (and just my personal opinion), I don't see these guys getting swords. They going to repel boarders on a canoe or York boat/batteau?

There are pics of some nice swords carried by HBC/NWC officers in Gale's book, but the avg guy?

Mario

Puffer · « **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2011, 09:39:03 PM »

Quote from: "mario"

Honestly (and just my personal opinion), I don't see these guys getting swords. They going to repel boarders on a canoe or York boat/batteau?

There are pics of some nice swords carried by HBC/NWC officers in Gale's book, but the avg guy?

Mario

Some thoughts -
1. The NWC had a vital "interest" in keeping their "water ways" open ( free of the Yanks ) & the Brits made use of this.
2. The NWC had some of their supply Schooners armed ( such as the Nancy)
3. They also armed many of their "york boats & a few of the "big canoes". ( mainly swivels )
Why, the "yanks" went after them.
Were they manned by Voyageurs = YEP.
Were they manned by The Canadian Corps of Voyageurs = the ones assigned to them for their raids & supply.

4. The Canadian Corps of Voyageurs was formed to conduct "irregular" warfare" ( against the Yanks.( basically on land ) & supply of isolated posts. In spite of their "oddities" they were effective, but in 1813, they were disbanded & the Brits formed them into a more "formal unit" = the Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs

5. Now why swords ?? = I can not say, but they were required/issued. did they keep or use

Puffer

Puffer · « **Reply #13 on:** February 26, 2011, 10:08:48 PM »

[quote="mario

There are pics of some nice swords carried by HBC/NWC officers in Gale's book, but the avg guy?
Mario[/quote]

Mario, What do mean by "officers"

??

If by NWC/HBC "def." then UPPER level ( usually a "winteringpartner" (NWC )) or a Sr. clerk , factor or above ( HBC)

Also, what do you mean by "average guy"

?
If the lowest level "clerk ( often a young teenager) = Then YES ( required "load out" )
If gen. employee Emigre etc = not required, they carried & used. ( both NWC & HBC. Did they own. = some apparently did. but most drew from the post armory.

BTW, the naive Amer.s also carried as well as the Yank fr traders.

puffer

Puffer · « **Reply #14 on:** February 26, 2011, 10:10:05 PM »

Quote from: "Puffer"

[quote="mario

There are pics of some nice swords carried by HBC/NWC officers in Gale's book, but the avg guy?
Mario

Mario, What do mean by "officers"

??

If by NWC/HBC "def." then UPPER level ( usually a "wintering partner" (NWC )) or a Sr. clerk , factor or above ( HBC)

Also, what do you mean by "average guy"

?
If the lowest level "clerk ( often a young teenager) = Then YES ( required "load out" ) Also include t "bad as*s. ( not "offically" NWC/HBC )
If gen. employee Emigre etc = not required, they carried & used. ( both NWC & HBC. Did they own. = some apparently did. but most drew from the post armory.

BTW, the naive Amer.s also carried as well as the Yank fr traders.

puffer[/quote]

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