The Road To Kandahar

The Second Afghan War, 1879 to 1880, between Imperial Britain and the Afghan  tribes and their army.  As a matter of interest, we are now in the third cycle of Britain’s interests in Afghanistan. Starting in 1830 with the disastrous loss of a British army by Lord Elphinstone. The second war in 1879-1880 with Lord Roberts invasion which was a success for awhile and of course a more recent one with American and British troops. History tells us that this part of the world is just as quick to give invading forces a very black eye; remember Russia’s abortive invasion and ignominious withdrawal and just recently as we have seen with the IED’s and continuing tribal fighting on Pakistan’s borders.  It seems we never remember our history and not remembering it we are doomed to repeat it.

John Wilcox wrote a really interesting paperback called, The Road To Kandahar. In this book, He continues the saga of two ex-soldiers one who had resigned his commission from the 24th Regiment of Foot and bought out his servant, called 352 Jenkins. If you have any interest in the British Army,a rousing good story, and some interest in what our own troops are facing, this is one of the books that I can personally recommend. Actually I haven’t found one of his books that wasn’t interesting and full of relevant facts about the time and about the British Army.

There was a barrack-room Ballad written by Rudyard Kipling around this time about Afghanistan as follows: “Wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains. ” The quote is one of the best known from Rudyard Kipling’s poems and is the last stanza from, The Young British Soldier. The stanza goes as follows: “When yiu’re wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains, And the women come out to cut up what remains, Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains, An go to your Gawd like a soldier. Go, go go like a soldier, Soldier of the Queen.” The song, Soldier of the Queen was a popular one during this time and Here is a video with the music: Soldier of the Queen.

If you want to read a ripping good story read this one. The Road To Kandahar. It will grip you and you will find it hard to put it down.

Grandmother’s Story Of The Battle Of Bunker Hill

I just ran across a free ebook from Project Gutenberg. It was written by the eminent jurist, Oliver Wendell Holmes and is entitled: Grandmother’s Story of Bunker Hill Battle. The illustrations are from Howard Pyle. I think that this is worth reading and if you like it and want a copy you can get it from the source, Project Gutenberg or you can get it for free from me. Send me an email to jimclay1153@gmail.com. Since I have several books that I am giving away from several websites. please add in the subject line: grandmother and I will know which one to send. Enjoy.

Civil War Weapons And Other Reenactor Items


Antiqued Flag Bunting

Smith & Wesson M1869 Replica

Colt M1861 Army Revolver Replica

Colt Army Revolver Replica

Smith & Wesson Army Revolver Replica Nickel Finish

Le Mat Civil War Revolver Antique Gray Finish

Civil War Leather Belt

Civil War Sword Belt

Civil War & Indian Wars Bugle

Replica Regulation Canteen, Union

Replica Civil War/Old West Wood Canteen

Replica Civil War Cap Box

Replica Civil War Cartridge Box

Civil War Officers Spurs

Civil War Officers Spurs – Antiqued pair

1853 3 Band Enfield Rifle Musket

This is the black powder version of the well known 3 Band Enfield. This weapon was number two in use throughout the American Civil War. Used I might add by both sides. It was thought by Civil War Historians that about 900,000. were bought from the all the Enfield locations such as the Enfield Company, The London Armory Company, and the factories of Liege, St. Etienne and Windsor, Vermont. The Federals purchased 500,000 and the Confederates about 900,000 from early in 1862 through March 1865 just prior to Lee’s capitulation at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9,1865.

The P53, 3 Band Enfield had an effective range of 1000 to 1100 yards. The length overall was 53inches from butt plate to muzzle tip. Barrel length was 30 inches and was known as a rifle-musket .The barrel was 39 inches so that the tip of the muzzle projected beyond the shoulder of the soldier in the kneeling  front rank first to keep any blast from hitting him and so that the length would favor it being used when the bayonet was attached .

This weapon had a life time from 1853 to 1867 when it was superseded by the more modern cartridge-loaded Snider-Enfield Rifle. I believe this was the first of the more modern rifles that was a breech-loader. The Snider variation was invented by an American by name Jacob Snider and applied by the British to their existing P 53 Enfields.


3 BAND ENFIELD, .58 Caliber Black Powder Rifle – $ 695.00

Retail Price: 820.10
You Save: $125.10
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