17th century armada chest with 9 bolts

[fernando]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... Didn't know you had an interest in pirate things, like Jim & I (and Fernando, too, I suspect! )..

Your suspicions are well founded, Mister Eley ... sir . I even have a skipper qualification; a steel hook that i can use on my right (handless) forearm; something you can't do, he, he

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... Yes, tar & pitch were favorites for anything iron going to sea (actually, even some of the wood hafts to axes and clothing were tarred, such as hats). The salt air and stormy rain made 'weather-proof clothing and equipment ideal for this environment.

As i have once mentioned here a few years ago, we can read in Portuguese ship's inventories from the XVI century that, bundles of onboard black swords (ESPADAS PRETAS DE BORDO) could be found in the contents. I wouldn't know what specific material was applied to them, but the intention was the same.