Historic Replicas

The Ancient Vikings of Scandinavia are commonly perceived as little more than a bloodthirsty horde of barbarians, raiding villages and monasteries, stealing the gold and other valuables and pressing any survivors of their vicious attacks into slavery.  While it’s true that the warriors who expanded into Western Europe have a well-documented legacy of violence and brutality, the Vikings also expanded East. There is considerable archeological evidence, much of it in the form of exotic coins in long-buried treasure hoards, that the Vikings traveled as far East as Persia, India, and the Byzantine Empire! 

Most of our modern images of the Vikings come from the written accounts of monks in England and France, and it’s not a very pretty picture.  The Vikings were pagans, and were usually there to swing their Viking battle axes, kill the monks and steal their gold.  The Arabs of Baghdad left some written accounts with a more moderate view, and if they’re to be believed, these Vikings were less interested in killing and conquering than trade and exploration.   They brought furs, amber, and occasionally Viking swords, and traded them for coveted silver coins.  From time to time, they established settlements along the rivers and intermarried with the local population.  As we sift through the sands of history, seeking insight in the past, we do well to remember that most ancient cultures were as diverse and multi-faceted as our own. No one account of a people or place can give us the whole story.

You may have noticed our site’s authentic Renaissance costumes, and wondered, why all the fuss about wealthy Italians who lived 500 years ago?  Well, the Renaissance marked Europe’s emergence from the Dark Ages, a time of widespread ignorance and superstition, into the Enlightenment Era, when that continent’s great minds and wealthy patrons inspired a revolution in philosophy and the arts.  Italy played a pivotal role in this period of cultural evolution, and of the noble families involved, none were more crucial to its success than the Medicis. 

This exceedingly wealthy family assumed control over their home city of Florence, transforming it into a haven for artists and architects.  The most beloved and famous of the clan was Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449-1492).  He devoted himself to making Italy the cultural center of the world.  The Medicis commissioned some of history’s greatest works of art, most notably Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling. They were active in the advancement of scientific thought; in a way, we owe the Medicis our understanding of the Solar System and the revolution of the planets, because they supported Galileo in his study of astronomy. Ironically, their greatest contribution to modern society was unintentional.  The devoutly Catholic Medicis actually helped start the Protestant Reformation!  They used their vast resources to install Popes Leo X and Clement VII on the Vatican throne, men who were incapable of suppressing Martin Luther’s radical teachings, and in turn the rise of the Anglican church. By both action and accident, the Medicis were one of history’s most influential families.  

Learn more about the Medicis, Italy and Roman Replicas on the Historic Replicas recommended site list.

World War II was fought on countless fronts.  All over the world, armies clashed and heroes were made. World War II weapons were famous names such as MP44 Sturmgewehr 44 or the M1 Carbine .30 cal. These World War II guns defined an era.  While every conflict contributed in some way to the war’s eventual outcome, there are a few epic battles that stand out as having truly shaped the course of the war, and in the process, all of human history.  The Battle of Britain is a compelling example of how much war had changed from previous centuries.  This would-be invasion was the first battle fought entirely in the air, a concept that was likely unimaginable just few decades before. 

Valliant British pilots managed to repel a massive Nazi air invasion in the Summer and Fall of 1940, designed to cripple the British Royal Air Force and pave the way for an army on the ground.  As Americans, we at home often see war from a distance, fought in far-off countries with little direct impact on our lives.  British civilians had no such luxury. London and other civilian targets were bombed in an attempt to crush British morale, and over 24,000 civilians died in the attacks.  The British, however, were firm in their resolve, and in less than a year, the Germans were convinced that a full-scale invasion of England was impossible.  The Allied countries had suffered terrible defeats throughout Western Europe during the first two years of the war, and their will was near the breaking point.  British victory came at a crucial time, and that country’s sacrifices proved to be a crucial turning point in the war.  

  ”All roads lead to Rome” was a popular proverb in ancient Europe.  It was often used metaphorically to describe the vast power and influence of the Roman Empire, but it had a literal connotation as well.  At the height of the Empire, the Roman road system was over 53,000 miles long!  It was an astonishing achievement for an ancient people without the benefit of modern technology.

The Romans shrewdly observed that well maintained roads were critical to the subjugation of their territories and the expansion of their empire, and once the roads were built, Roman legions could travel all over the empire with relative ease and speed.  Like their aqueducts and Roman weapons, the roads were cleverly constructed according to rigidly standardized design specifications.  Construction crews were supervised by learned men called architecti who were trained in geometry and supported by a full-time staff of surveyors and levelers.  Most roads were marked with milestones, and the Romans built and stocked way stations every 10-15 miles to shelter weary travelers.  They even surveyed the entire road network, a task that took over 25 years to complete! A map was on display in the capital, where travelers could copy it down.   The Romans were an exceedingly organized and scientific people, and their vast highway system is one the most impressive achievements of any civilization. 

Roman replicas, including aqueducts, maps and navigation tools can be seen in large museums across the country.  Explore!

One of the most famous of all Wild West bounty hunters was Charlie Siringo, a bold and adventurous detective for the famous Pinkerton Agency in Chicago.  Born in 1855, Siringo worked from an early age as a cowboy in Texas, before relocating to Chicago and joining the agency in 1886.  In the course of a twenty-year career, Siringo traveled tens of thousands of miles, using his Western guns to track rustlers and bank robbers as far away as Alaska and Mexico City.  His tactics would have a lasting influence on modern detective work; he was one of the first enforcers to successfully work undercover.  He famously infiltrated Butch Cassidy’s gang of train robbers, and later the Western Federation of Miners in Idaho.  He gathered enough evidence to charge their secretary Big Bill Haywood with the murder of Idaho governor Frank Steunenberg. Siringo was initially a strong supporter of labor, but changed his tune after spending time in their inner circle, calling them bloodthirsty and dangerous. 

Bounty hunters aren’t often envisioned as heroes, but it is a testament to his character and commitment to justice that Siringo protected Haywood from a lynch mob after he was acquitted. Siringo immortalized himself in two books about his adventures, A Cowboy Detective and Further Adventures of a Cowboy Detective, and made the bounty hunter an indispensable part of American folklore and western replicas.

The 19th century was a time of near-anarchy on the American Western frontier, often lawless and dangerous.  Local sheriffs were adept at the use of Wild West pistols, and did their best to track down offenders and maintain order, but the odds were stacked against them.  They couldn’t pursue offenders across state lines, and communication with other lawmen could take weeks.  Even short trips away from their communities meant leaving them largely defenseless, and could result in chaos.  The government granted special rights to an enterprising group of citizens:  the bounty hunters.  The Supreme Court made them a part of the legal system in 1872, and gave them unprecedented leeway in capturing criminals.  They could track them in different states, break into their houses without due process, and they could do so on Sunday, the Sabbath, which, amazing as it may seem, regular law enforcement officials could not. The rise of the bounty hunters prompted the ever-popular “Wanted:  Dead or Alive” poster that lives on in Wild West replicas.  It was a dangerous profession, to be sure, but with cunning and skill, the bounty hunters were in a position to make enormous profits.

Abraham Lincoln is obviously one of the most compelling figures in American history.  What many people may not know, however, is that Lincoln’s son Robert has his own grim claim to fame.  Robert witnessed two political assassination attempts, and was in close proximity to two others, a remarkable coincidence that earned him the nickname “Angel of Death”.  On April 14th, 1865, the night his father was shot with a Civil War gun at Ford’s Theatre, he was in bed at the White House, mere blocks away.  He’d been invited to attend the play with his parents, but declined, being exhausted from a long journey.

In 1881, Robert was Secretary of War under President James Garfield.  The President invited him on a rail trip to Massachusetts, and on July 2nd, Robert made his way to Washington’s 6th Street station to meet him.  He ran late, and arrived just in time to see Charles Guiteau assassinate Garfield.  All he could remember were seeing traces of the man’s civil war hat .  20 years later, in 1901, President McKinley invited Robert to the Pan-American exposition in Buffalo, New York.  Robert warned him that he wasn’t an especially lucky person for a president to be around, but McKinley laughed it off.  Once again, Robert arrived at the very moment McKinley was assassinated by anarchist Leo Czolgosz.  Coincidence?  You be the judge. 

World War II was a dark, haunting time in history.  Countless stories have been told about its devastating effects, its fighters, lives lost, the hardships, its terrible onset, and hopeful conclusion.  Some of the war’s most momentous events have likewise been brought to life in movies and plays, as well as recounted in books.  
 
Through replica battle gear, war veterans and fanatics, along with history buffs, can have their share of WWII memorabilia.  Examples of these are handsome WWII German helmets.  These head toppers are made of sturdy 18-gauge steel with lugs and repro liner.  Great as collectibles or as props in stage shows, these helmets look exactly like the real thing.  Choose from the camouflage-painted Paratrooper replica or the Rolled Rim type, or better yet, purchase both of these manly helmets.
 

Historic accounts of battles fought and won, and of mighty and fallen rulers make for remarkable reading.  They bring us back to early, unusual times and feed our imagination with vivid images of unforgettable people, places and events.  Of course, the past would be better appreciated if there are photos, mementos, and objects to supplement narratives from a bygone era.
 
History buffs will be thrilled to know that stunning replicas of fight gear from earlier centuries and previous wars exist.  Examples of these fine reproductions are legendary Excalibur replica swords and black trim daggers of King Arthur, a German World War II trench knife, a historic Roman sword with dagger, the Flintlock Pistol from the 19th century, and King Richard’s knife.  There is a variety of medieval clothing as well and other period pieces to augment one’s knowledge of olden times.  All these trappings are great as collectibles, or as display items in a prized room.  Theater denizens would also think them ideal as costumes for historic plays.

 Did you know that pirates were one of the first equal-opportunity employers?  In a time of slavery and unquestioned racism, a pirate ship was one of the few places were black people could expect something like equal treatment.  Most were runaway slaves, and made up a significant portion of the pirate population. Most ships had at least a few black crew members, and Blackbeard’s crew was over 60 percent black.  Black Bart had 88 black crew members out of 368.  These men weren’t slaves, but fully entitled shipmates who received an equal share of treasure and a vote in ship-wide decisions. Each man had to bring their own pirate sword and proper clothing (or pirate costumes). Some held prestigious positions:  Francis Sprigg’s cook was given the sacred responsibility of dividing captured treasure into equal shares.  In general, ships were governed according to a contract between captain and crew called the Articles of Agreement.   Black Bart’s read as follows: 

“Every Man has a Vote in Affairs of Moment; has equal Title to the fresh Provisions, or strong Liquors, at any Time seized, and may use them at Pleasure, unless a Scarcity make it necessary, for the Good of all, to vote a Retrenchment.”

Like many other pirates, his Articles made no mention of race, and his words were more than lofty rhetoric.  They applied equally to every crewman, regardless of color.  It is no secret that pirates were often cold-blooded and murderous.  Yet they could also be astonishingly progressive in a time when prejudice was the natural order.