E'ery Pirate worth his salt has a pistol! Many Crews in the Caribbean would expect ye to have at least one before even letting you join their ranks. As professional pirates wearrrselves have made functioning n' non-firing replica flintlock pistols n' rifles, knowin' full well ye may not need to storm the deck of Spanish Galleon with live ammunition!

Non-Firing Replicas be a permitted weapon prop among folk at Pirate Conventions n' Festivals, or any festivities ye may be attendin'. They alsobe available in a variety o' materials that be more cost-effective such as plastics n' light woods, or more authentic n' rugged with heavier metals n' woods.

The Flintlock system came into use in the early 17th Century after evolving from the Wheellock n' Matchlock mechanisms. The basic principle o' the Flintlock revolves around a piece o' flint clasped in the "Hammer" striking a tiny steel plate called the "Frizzen" to create a spark. The spark would then ignite black powder n' fire the round in the gun's barrel.

Pistols themselves would see common usage among the military n' civilians alike, n' came in a variety o' shapes n' sizes. The smallest bein' 6 inches and the larger measurin' up to 20 inches to compensate!

Blackpowder weapons were obviously a great tool to have, but they were also tricky to use. Moisture or worn pieces of flint frequently lead to misfires. Even with preventative measures in place if ye were in humid regions ye were screwed! On the other end of the spectrum a pistol could be triggered easily n' a pirate could spontaneously shoot offa round!

To fire the weapon ye would also fully cock the mechanism by pulling the hammer all the way back, ahalf-cocked pistol was considered a safety measure while also being prepared for action. The only problem with that was that the hammer could still drop n' fire the weapon, Causin' a pirate to "go offhalf-cocked." Today that be the popular expression to express goin' off prematurely! http://bit.ly/2nk0iT6

Happy St. Paddy's Day to all Arrr Irish Mates out there! In honor o' St. Patrick's Day we be ready to tell ye about a Legendary Irish Pirate, Grace O'Malley!

Grace O'Malley was a wildly successful Irish Clan Chieftain n' Pirate Captain. In some history books she be known as the Sea Queen of Connacht. Grace inherited both her penchant for Piracy n' her Chieftain status from her father upon his death. Her family held a swath o' territory on the west coast of Ireland, n' they were able to build several castles to protect their shores n' the fishermen that they taxed.

O'er time she also had several husbands n' lovers, most of whom met their end in battle. Grace was a warrior herself howe'er. She fell for a shipwrecked sailor who was 15 years younger than her after her first husband was killed. When another clan killed her new man, she went to their abode at Doona Castle during "Blacksod May" n' killed the guilty party. After the attack, people called her the "Dark Lady of Doona'. She had four legitimate children o'er her lifetime, though rumor suggests there was at least one out of wedlock.

Grace's piratical career frequently revolved around "taxing" merchants for protection, n' resistance was met with violence n' murder. She was able to do this by commandin' the loyalty of her clan as well as her first husband's clan upon his death. Additionally she was able to recruit Irish n' Scottish Mercenaries to raid the West Coast o' Scotland. All of her piratical pursuits were accomplished while supporting Ireland in its many rebellions against the English Royalty. 

She was infamous enough that she got an audience with Queen Elizabeth I to negotiate the release of her sons, though she would not kneel. Both made promises during the negotiation, but broke them all later. Including that Grace would cease pirate activities!

Among Pirates, Grace was a rarity in that she was able to retire n' die peacefully around 1603, the same year as Elizabeth I. 

The Pirate Fashions Flogger

To ensure discipline on-board a ship, the British Royal Navy would frequently use a Flogger to literally whip the lads into shape! Floggers utilized multiple strips o' knotted leather to flay flesh from bone as a form o' punishment. Naturally freedom lovin' pirates scorned such tools as most had been on the receivin' end of such brutality.

Also naturally, there be a certain kinky quality to a good ol' flogging with the right materials! We created Arrr own floggers made with softened strips o' leather that be perfect for yar own fantasies n' bedroom antics! Pirate Fashion's Floggers be both safe, fun n' accessible for beginners or the most seasoned scourges o' backs n' booties!

Learn how to use such tools from Cap'n Tiger Lee himself! https://youtu.be/zoZqPXXxVJg



Leather Goods From Pirate Fashions

Pirate Fashions only deals in the finest loot n' swag! Arrr Leather Products all be made with real goat, pig n' cow leather which makes it durable n' tough for yar high seas adventures! The Belts, Straps, Baldrics, Black Powder Pistol Holsters, Boots n' more have all been made to the highest of Rogue Standards!

Unlike a cheap costume shop we be in the business of providin' high quality goods through n' through. Even the metal bits o' arrr gear utilize Nickel n' Brass that looks n' feels authentic n' built to last! No Plastics here mateys! Browse arrr selection n' find the leather accessories needed to complete yar Buccaneer Wardrobe! http://bit.ly/2jxtkw5

We have told ye the tale who the infamous Cap'n Morgan wasas a historical figure. Now we will detail some o' his exploits as a pop culture icon through the Ages! Pirates n' Swashbucklin' Legends have been the source of many stories, even the historians of the 17th n' 18th Centuries and their accounts may have been embellished for the purposes of entertainment.

Morgan was best known by the historical accounts of AlexandreExquemlin, a Franco-Dutch writer n' a sailor who wrote the "History of the Bouccaneers of America."Exquemlin was a barber-surgeon in Morgan's crew, perceived to have resented Morgan for his renegade nature n' his reputation for torture. He didn't speak favorably o' him in his accounts!

Henry Morgan would not appear in outright published fiction until 1922, in "Captain Blood," written by Rafael Sabatini. Even then he merely provided the inspiration for the eponymous hero, Peter Blood. Sabatini however, enjoyed basing his works of historical fiction very heavily on the history that inspires him. John Steinbeck's first novel, "The Cup of Gold" was also heavily inspired by the Legend himself!

13 Years after "Captain Blood" was written, a live action movie version was released with Erroll Flynn in his first starring Hollywood role! Itbe a much looser interpretation o' Henry Morgan, but it stillbe a fine testament to Pirates in Media. A foothold that Henry Morgan holds to this day, though entertainment may not even be the greatest part of his career!

In 1944, the Seagram Company created the first incarnation of Captain Morgan's Rum. O'er the rest of the 20th-century hotels in the Caribbean would pop up with names incorporatin' the name, "Captain Morgan" to woo tourists and hark to the tales of old. In 2001, Captain Morgan Rum was acquired by London-based Diageo.

Suffice it to say Morgan be a Legend among Pirates. He lived long enough to retire from the Life and even became a Governor! Which makes him a great all Gentlemen (and Ladies) o' Fortune!

Arrr Woodes Roger's Outfit be the perfect garb for privateers turned Governors! This outfit make colorful use of Calico,Red and Gold! Though itbe regal enough to command the respect of both Pirates AND the Royal Navy, we offer it to ye as an affordable outfit! 

Woodes Rogers himself was a famous (or infamous dependin' on yer point of view) English Privateer n' Pirate Hunter. As Governor of theBahamas he even suppressed the pirates of Nassau!

Bein' a privateer meant he had received a commission from the English Government to perform selective piratical acts against enemies of the crown. Inexchange privateers would send a percentage of wealth back to their employer.Additionally ye were allowed to carry a "Letter of Marque" to proveyar legal status, n' sometimes allowed ye to be treated fairly as a prisoner of war if captured.

After fightin' as a privateer against the Spanish, Woodes Rogers became a pirate hunter with great support from the English. Helead an expedition to Madagascar to deal with a sizable population of pirates. Rather than fight the pirates, he offered clemency from the English government. A Full Pardon was given to any willing pirates who wanted to retire.

It was so successful that he was appointed Governor of the Bahamas n' was tasked with pacifying the Pirate Republic of Nassau. Many pirates accepted the Full Pardon, n' some even turned on their Brethren by becomin' Pirate Hunters! http://bit.ly/2jtj3Ax

On severaloccasions, Pirate Fashions has had the privilege of providin' firearms for several period piece shows. Recently the final season of Black Sails premiered on Starz n' yemaybe surprised that ye could find several o' the firearms seen on the show inarrr own hoard o' goods!

Captain Flint's own signature pistol be a Scottish Dag (or all steel pistol,) specifically a Murdoch Highland that appeared in the early 17th Century n' was found to be in use until the early 19th Century. Itbe a very realistic firearm to have on the show!

They were usually made with metal stocks. This made'em an ideal weapon in the rainy Scottish Highlands or on the rugged seas in the hands o' pirates, when a wooden grip could quickly rot away. To avoid rust, the weapon would have to be oiled n' cleaned on a fairly regular basis. Believe itarrr not, Pirates appreciated Order and Cleanliness! 

Arrr French Sea Service pistols were also Guests on the Show! They were issued to the French Navy in 1763 well after the events in Black Sails, but ye cannot deny that they were good looking pistols! 18th Century British and American soldiers n' private citizens appreciated them as well.

The French Holster Pistol was another guest n' it was also a period appropriate weapon! They first began to appear between 1675 n' 1700 in the hands o' Frenchmen across the seas. Though they were a common Pirate Pistol as well!

There be many details to these stories of how these Pirate Fashions pistols (n' other weapons as well) came to be featured in such a widely renowned piece of pirate media. But we couldn't tellye thedetails, unless we made ye walk the plank! Browse the Pirate Fashions Website n' see where elsearrr weapons have been featured! http://bit.ly/2jRYHRJ

Sir Henry Morgan best be known by his career with Captain Morgan Rum, o'er time this Legendary figure has been cultivated into one of the most widely recognized Pirates in Pop Culture. Most landlubbers may not know the story o' the original Cap'n Morgan who is in and of himself a Legendary Pirate!

The real Henry Morgan was believed to have been born around 1635 in Wales. Details on who he was before he became a Privateer be scant. It is believed that he became a captain in a British privateer fleet n' routinely raided Spanish Cuba in the 1660s. The English Governor of Jamaica had been on the verge of restricting privateer activity until he was realized how much of the colony's revenue was based on piracy.

By 1668 he had been promoted to Admiral n' had his own fleet of ten ships with 500 men to attack "Spanish ships at sea." Later another 200 French pirates joined him from the Port o' Tortuga! Periodically Morgan would have to mediate between the French n' his predominantly English crews. As an Admiral, he maintained discipline in order to achieve his private goals of plunderin' Spanish towns.

Morgan began a piratical campaign by sacking Puerto Principe, about 50 Miles inland in Spanish Cuba. The buccaneers were then inspired to attack Porto Bello (modern Panama.) The city was the third richest settlement in the Spanish Main n' was well fortified. Not only did Morgan capture the city, he was also able to ransom it back to the governor for a Fortune.

Morgan had only been authorized to attack Spanish ships, so he was publicly scolded by the British Governor. Unofficially Morgan had become a National British Hero. Morgan's continued actions eventually led to him being Knighted and he became a Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica- frequently acting as the governor. He received orders to eradicate Jamaican piracy, but instead he welcome privateers as long as they paid him the appropriate bribes. 

Pirate Fashions has made an outfit worthy of whichever Captain Morgan ye be dressing as! http://bit.ly/2lCaB7B

Mardi Gras Pirates n' Wenches! All be welcome! Ye will be the Saucy Queen of New Orleans with an outfit such as this! Resplendent in Green, Purple n Gold, laden with doubloons n' treasures!

This be the perfect time to go all out withyar outfit! Costumes are abundant at Mardi Gras Celebrations, historically speakin' they allowed carnival goers to escape the bonds of social class, identities and their associated constraints. Be who ye want to be this holiday! Especially if that be a pirate! http://bit.ly/2kXP2u1

Piracy has had a profound impact on the culture of Tampa Bay. We have adopted them asarrr sports team mascot, we created the Legendary Jose Gaspar- around which the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival has arisen. Tampa also be home to Pirate Fashions- Home to the World's Largest Selection of Pirate Plunder n' Riches!

We want to elaborate on how n' why pirates have left such a strong impression on the Bay Area. In the early 19th Century there was a very influential pirate captain (later a privateer) named Jean Lafitte that operated in the Gulf of Mexico. Lafitte and his family mostly operated out of Louisiana Allegedly he had a subordinate Pirate Captain that operated out of the islands near Tampa Bay named Henry Ross. Lafitte n' his pirates ran a very successful smuggling ring in the Gulf o' Mexico. And if the stories are accurate he may have held sway in the Bay Area.

Jean Lafitte became a privateer during the War of 1812 when he helped Andrew Jackson fend off the British in the Battle of New Orleans, it is believed to be the final Battle of the War.

In Tampa's first public graveyard, visitors can also find thegrave stones of two men identified as Mid-19th Century Cuban Pirates. Jose "El Indio"Perfino and Captain Hubbard. Though their originsbe shrouded in mystery, the Tampa Locals are believed to have hung El Indio. It is unknown how Hubbard met his end.

Jose Gaspar is widely accepted as a Mythical figure, but we have been celebrating his legend annually with Gasparilla since 1904. It is believed that he is basedoff of a Portuguese Seaman n Teller of Tall Tales named John Gomez- who operated along the Gulf Coast in the late 19th Century. Myth suggests that Gomez was part of Gaspar's pirate crew.
Today of course, we celebrate Gasparilla witharrr own Legendary Pirate Invasion, as of 2015 it is the third largest parade in the United States. Strikeyar colors, drink some rum and revel in the Piratical Culture o' Tampa Bay! Learn more: http://bit.ly/2jzHFYG