Search results

Most sources indicate the first use of the term was by Sir Walter Scott in 1817, when he wrote:"Like the High-landman's gun, she wants stock, lock, and barrel, to put her into repair." That is, of course, surprisingly late.

The North West Mounted  Police used the Winchester 1876 model.  The RCMP used the M 94 model.

The land pattern musket,  also known as the "Brown Bess",  was the standard British weapon from 1722 to 1835,  and survived in use in Canada beyond that time. It was the weapon that fought at Louisbourg, Quebec, Lundy's Lane and a host of battles and skirmishes from one end of this country to...

As a member of a 78th Fraser Highlanders demonstration unit, I carry a  replica 1742 long land pattern musket.  The metal ramrods have brass heads.  Presumably that reduces the risk of sparking, although the ramrod itself is steel and makes contact with the barrel.  Other versions of the "Brown...

The federal government also recently announce a $68 million contribution to the costs or repair and upgrades to the Hudson Bay rail line, and improvements to Churchill's bulk handling facilities.  The goal in the near term is to increase shipments from the current 600,000 tons a year to 1...

Fort Churchill (not to be confused with the earlier Fort Prince of Wales) was established in 1948 and operated as a military base, supporting the rocket range, and winter warfare training for Canada and its allies until the base closed in 1964.  There was also a naval establishment (HMCS...

There is more of a message for Mr. Duceppe in this than for Mr. Dion.  The Liberals have not been a factor in francophone Quebec for many years now,  but the results in St. Hyacinthe and Roberval indicate how far they have fallen.  The Liberal vote, however, did not fall as much as the Bloc's...

The following is a recent poll, indicating that perhaps the real story of Afghanistan is coming through, and Canadians are not falling for the Jack Layton/Gilles Duceppe approach after all (reproduced in accordance with fair dealing laws etc) Support for Afghan war effort stable, poll reveals...

At the risk of taking this slightly off topic, there have, actually, been quite a few shots fired in anger in Canada since the war of 1812, including the rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada, and the associated American freebooter invasions, the Fenian Raids, the North West Rebellion and, almost...

HMS Victory was launched in 1765, but not commissioned until May 1778, so she is probably the oldest commissioned ship.  I don't know the third oldest, although I suspect it might be South American.

Stanley Park was part of the Vancouver Fortress defences.  There was a battery of two six-inch guns there originally, dating from 1938.  In 1942 they were swapped with the 4.7 inch guns from Yorke Island.  The remains of the battery now lie next to Ferguson Point Tea House, unknown to the vast...

Thanks, but you'll notice that even those that would be likely to be referencing Canadian soldiers, such as the June 2 reports of fighting in Zhari, don't identify them as such.  That's not unusual for international press reports.  But it is a little unusual that the embedded Canadian...

I find it odd that there have been virtually no news reports referring to this operation, or to Canadian forces in Kandahar generally, since shortly after the beginning of the operation.  The last news item referring to it specifically was May 27. Since there were embedded journalists with the...

The 4th United States Infantry Regiment was raised in 1792 and it did not perpetuate any revolutionary war regiment.  The regiment was subsequently disbanded and then re-raised in 1808, when the colours were granted to it. This web site provides access to more detailed information on the...