What lovely green hair!

[crfriend]

How often does one actually get to use that line in casual conversation?

Well, I got a chance to this past weekend, and managed to garner some hints for my own wardrobe in the process.

To set the stage: I was at my usual watering-hole (where I likely spend too much time, but one needs an outlet here and there to blow off steam) and a mid-20-something young woman showed up with a couple of male companions, and she had the most delightful topping of iridescent green hair I'd ever seen. Now this is decidedly not something seen in nature, and, to be honest, I've toyed with the idea of getting mine done in blue, but wanted more details on the procedure -- and this was my chance to find out how it's done.

It's not for the faint-of-heart, nor for me, as it involves first bleaching the daylights out of it before the colour will actually stick. I contemplated that notion for perhaps 450 or 500 milliseconds and realised the damage I'd be doing to something that I've got a meaningful portion of a century invested in. Nuts. However, the beard... But I digress.

It turns out I'd been noticed as well, and got altogether very good reviews on my outfit for the day (my burgundy Mouse Works skirt, purple dress shirt, and black waistcoat with velvet trim) -- and a suggestion. Word on the street is that I should get myself a cloak to go with my fancy skirted rigs, and I'm inclined to agree. One never knows what one will pick up if one has the courage to strike up a conversation.

And I'm still trying to locate a watchmaker who can restore a 125 year old pocket-watch....

[dillon]

I recall from the early sixties when I was in the first years of primary school how some of the silver-haired old lady teachers managed to get this unique shade of purple in their hair. I'm not sure what they were doing, but I'm pretty sure it was not the intended effect. If I find out, I'll let you know.

[skirted_in_SF]

I recall from the early sixties when I was in the first years of primary school how some of the silver-haired old lady teachers managed to get this unique shade of purple in their hair. I'm not sure what they were doing, but I'm pretty sure it was not the intended effect. If I find out, I'll let you know.

My memory is a bit shaky here, but didn't people in those days wrap their hair in crepe paper and wet it to transfer the color? If you hadn't mentioned purple, I would have suggested Mrs. Stewart's Blueing. Some of the other old folks around here may remember it.

[crfriend]

Yes, the old(er) set could wind up with some interesting shades of very pale purple or blue, but they started out with grey hair anyway and were likely trying to make it "whiter" than it really was and one of the ways to do that is with a subtle trace of blue. If one overdid it, it could look pretty silly, and I suppose it could have turned a purple if the tint oxidised in interesting ways.

My hair (at least what's left up top) is still dark brown with subtle hints of red highlights. I don't want to bleach it platinum to get some non-natural colour to "take".

The beard, however, I might consider as I can easily and without (much) remorse shave it off.

[Bamaskirting]

I love neon colored hair!

[Fred in Skirts]

Saw a man this St Paddy's day with a green full beard and side burns. He and some others were having a blast with the green beer!! Oh and by the way they were wearing kilts. I was in my denim skirt with a green shirt.

Fred

[skirtedMarine]

I have a pocket watch at least that old an Elgin, almost impossible to get parts, i hope you can get it fixed!

[crfriend]

I have a pocket watch at least that old an Elgin, almost impossible to get parts, i hope you can get it fixed!

The 120-year old (a Waltham) still has issues, although the mechanism is sound, and remains a "work in progress". An Elgin I have (my late grandfather's) recently came back from work with a new crystal, and all cleaned up works very nicely.

Timepieces are one way that I keep in touch with my distant past, and I have a perfect set dating back to my paternal great-grandfather -- all of which work (sadly, I know nothing about my maternal side). This thought may offend some of the folks outside the US, but the other way I try to retain linkage to my family past is firearms (which, due to an unfortunate event from last year I don't have any access to at the moment), a few of which are well over a century old. I like history, especially when one can touch, hold, and feel it.

If your elder Elgin needs work, get it done sooner rather than later. Watchmakers are a dying breed, and parts are getting hard to find -- although, once metal 3D printing comes on-line, and of sufficient precision, that may not be so much of a problem. However, the skills to work on the mechanisms may be altogether lost by that time.

[rick401r]

This thought may offend some of the folks outside the US, but the other way I try to retain linkage to my family past is firearms (which, due to an unfortunate event from last year I don't have any access to at the moment), a few of which are well over a century old.

I was willed my grandfather's 12 gauge single and double barreled shotguns as well as my father's 22 single shot youth sized rifle he was given at the age of 12. none have been fired (by me) but hang on the wall as collector pieces.

[dillon]

This thought may offend some of the folks outside the US, but the other way I try to retain linkage to my family past is firearms (which, due to an unfortunate event from last year I don't have any access to at the moment), a few of which are well over a century old.

I was willed my grandfather's 12 gauge single and double barreled shotguns as well as my father's 22 single shot youth sized rifle he was given at the age of 12. none have been fired (by me) but hang on the wall as collector pieces.

I have both my father's and grandfather's shotguns, Ranger double-barrels, 16 and 12 gauge, respectively. I rarely fire them; typically only to scare off the occasional flock of starlings. (Ranger was a brand made by Stevens Arms, and sold through various merchandise catalogs, like Sears and Montgomery-Ward, and about the best that poor country folks could afford in that era.) I have an old Marlin .22 bolt action with under-barrel magazine, also once my father's, and a .30 M1 carbine, '43 model, possibly a WWII veteran, made by none less than the Underwood Typewriter Company; industries adapted themselves to whatever the War demanded. I fire these weapons from time to time, though the cartridge guide in the .22 needs repair, and the rifling is badly worn in the carbine barrel. We have a Ruger .22 auto and a Franchi 12 gauge auto, though those are my son's and will likely leave here when he finishes college. Aside from the carbine, all are sporting arms, and most are antique or nearly so.

[skirted_in_SF]

.30 M1 carbine, '43 model, possibly a WWII veteran, made by none less than the Underwood Typewriter Company; industries adapted themselves to whatever the War demanded.

Just out of curiosity, how do you know the manufacturer? Is there a plate or can you tell by a serial number?

[crfriend]

Just out of curiosity, how do you know the manufacturer? Is there a plate or can you tell by a serial number?

These details are usually stamped either on the receiver or on the barrel. Such markings are how I identified the US Civil War era rifle that was passed down to me by my father (and of which I have a splendid -- but spectacularly politically-incorrect -- photo of my dad and myself from when I was about 18 or 20 months old).

[Fred in Skirts]

(and of which I have a splendid -- but spectacularly politically-incorrect -- photo of my dad and myself from when I was about 18 or 20 months old).

You know what the definition of politically correct is don't you?

Fred

[dillon]

.30 M1 carbine, '43 model, possibly a WWII veteran, made by none less than the Underwood Typewriter Company; industries adapted themselves to whatever the War demanded.

Just out of curiosity, how do you know the manufacturer? Is there a plate or can you tell by a serial number?

Underwood is stamped on the barrel, just below the taper at the end, where the sight is attached; it was made in July 1943. I google-researched the manufacturing. I was a little surprised at first, but that was the case.

It is possible that the stock was made by Rock-Ola (yes the jukebox company) or another manufacturer, since Underwood did not make the stocks or hand-guards, but I don't know how to determine that.

I don't know the full legacy of the weapon, but at some point after the War, it made its way to the Police dept. in Chagrin Falls, OH, from which an old girlfriend's policeman Dad purchased it. I purchased it from her after her father's untimely coronary death, around 1984.

[kingfish]

And I'm still trying to locate a watchmaker who can restore a 125 year old pocket-watch....

I have a friend of mine who repairs mechanical watches for a living. He actually graduated from the Lititz Watch Technicum in PA, and works in Holliston. I'll PM you his email.