Happy Independence Day!
 

As a collector and appreciator of colonial American weapons, I do love this holiday. Whenever I hear fire-works, I imagine the battles of Lexington and Concord and imagine minute-men riding from town to town with news of Washington's army. Happy 4th, mates!

Yes, indeed, what's the Glorious Fourth without fireworks (and stuffing the gut with copious amounts of barbecue and beer)? However, I have to confess my long-standing custom of saluting our erstwhile colonial master and worthy foe by playing George Frederick Handel's "Coronation Anthems" at daybreak as a nod to the House of Windsor. God Save the Queen!

That's the spirit! Yes, as an appreciator of both Colonial American, French, Dutch, and British naval weapons, I have fond images of John Paul Jones sailing off Flamborough Head in search of a boarding! God save the Queen, indeed!