Personal Finance Tips

The Difference Between Secured Debt and Unsecured Debt

2011-11-11T22:27:00.000-08:00

Debt is a necessary part of everyone’s financial life, and it is important to understand the differences between the various forms of credit available today on the market. In general, there are two types of loans, secured debt and unsecured debt. Both of these types of loans have distinct advantages and disadvantages.

About Secured Debt

Secured debt is a loan backed by collateral, that is, an asset which can be taken back or repossessed if the borrower is unable to make their payments. The most well-known examples of secured debt is a home mortgage.

Because the bank or lender has the option to take the assets of the borrower, secured debt typically has lower interest rates than unsecured debt. The amount of credit extended in these types of loans is based on the credit history of the borrower and the value of the assets being put up as collateral. Because of this, these loans tend to be issued for higher amounts than loans given out as unsecured debt.

About Unsecured Debt

Unsecured debt is a loan that is not backed by any collateral. The most well-known example of this type of debt is a credit card. Other examples include payday loans and personal loans. Unsecured means that nothing can be taken back by the bank in the event the borrower chooses not to pay. This means that the lender cannot take away the home, car, or other possessions of the borrower, nor can it garnish wages or government checks such as Social Security.

This type of credit is extended to a borrower based on his or her credit score and credit history. Consumers with better records can obtain better interest rates on these types of loans. Consumers with poor credit histories and scores are often denied for these types of loans, but they can often reapply and be approved by offering some type of collateral, effectively making the loan secured debt.

Because there is no asset for a bank or lender to repossess if the consumer does not make his or her payments on time, the amount of credit extended as unsecured debt tends to be lower than the amounts extended by secured debt.

The Significance of Settling Your Debt With a Debt Settlement Company

2011-09-14T05:53:00.000-07:00

If you’re facing major financial challenges in your life and you’re having a difficult time paying off bills, settling your debt through a debt settlement company could help you recover faster than if you were to try to do it on your own.

The trials and tribulations that come with unsettled debt can follow you (and your family) for the rest of your life and sometimes can be passed on to your family and children. In most cases, when you leave behind unpaid debt that can be collected through family and can cause resentment and additional turmoil.

There are basically two options you have when it comes to debt settlement: 1. Do it yourself. 2. Hire a debt settlement company to take care of the dirty work for you on your behalf.

Of course, you are always free to choose to try to settle your debts yourself, but this can take a great deal of discipline and focus over a period of years to settle completely. Also, your bargaining power to pay less than what you owe is reduced when doing it on your own because debt collectors can be nasty and unforgiving.

However, when they’re up against a team of professional settlers, it’s like having a good poker hand to play against your opponent. Instead of one good card in a bad hand, you have multiple good cards creating a good hand.

Professional debt settlement companies are known to pull out all the punches to fight on your behalf behind the scenes. Also, your bargaining power increases dramatically. This means if you owed for example $100,000 to various companies, a debt settlement company can reduce that to as low as 40%, or $40,000. This is a huge savings compared to paying the entire $100,000 (not including interest payments on the full amount).

In most cases, a reputable settlement company can pay off your entire debt in as little as 2 years – sometimes 12 months depending on current income, debt, and determination to pay it faster.

On average, honest debt settlement companies will only take on clients with a minimum of $10,000 in debt. If you’re dealing with anything less than $10,000 in debt would be a waste of time and money for both the company and debt holder as it would be easier for you to pay it off through normal means.

The way debt settlement companies work generally follow this template: People call and talk to someone about settling the debt. The settlers take on the client and assess their debt situation. The settlers begin the process of negotiating a lower debt on your behalf. If successful, the settlers get a 14% to 18% fee of the settled debt amount usually as payments over a period of 12 months.

Although most settlement companies prefer not to give advice on how to save and manage their money, they often do recommend solutions and programs on how to control spending behavior.

The biggest fear most people have is damaging their credit score. And, the reality is it’s unavoidable. If you’re settling a large amount of debt for less than what it’s worth, chances are it will show up on your report as “paid – recovered” or “paid – settled”. Not “paid – in full”. Obviously, paying in full is preferable to help sustain your credit, but for most people paying in full is not an option and would prefer a quicker fix.

However, just because you won’t get full credit for settling a debt doesn’t mean you can never recover. It’ll take time. But, it’s a far superior option than not having paid anything at all. Besides, it won’t take longer than 12 to 24 months to get your credit back to where you want it to be after your debts are settled.

A word of caution: Debt settlement companies are largely unregulated. They are known to prey on the desperate and can be a bigger pain in the butt than the debt collectors themselves. Therefore, due diligence is required to ensure you get the best service possible at a reasonable price.

In conclusion, settling your debt with a settlement company can be a significant moment in your life because it’ll free you from threats, pressure, and the stress it causes you.

For more information about settling your debt with a debt settlement company, you can just visit our website. We also provide credit card debt settlement programs for your credit card debt problems, so just make a tour on our site.

Tips to Choose Your Personal Finance Software

2011-02-20T22:20:00.000-08:00

Managing your financial situation today is not as simple as it was a few years ago. A simple calculator and an account book will not help you as the financial world of today is extremely advanced and needs a lot of work on it. However, you can only get so far in planning without seeking some serious help, if you have the proper personal finance software. In case you are interested to become debt free, then this tool is a must to have.

What are the top #2 benefits of such an idea?

Benefit #1: Time saving.

One of the most significant advantages is the time saving capabilities. All you have to do with your personal finance software would be to input your personal data including your income and any purchases. Then, it will take care of the rest for you. Then, everything is sorted out for your future planning on your computer.

Benefit #2: Automated bill payments.

Another feature that you will have is the ability to well organize your automated bill payment. Any well chosen tool does the very simple job of using the internet for this purpose. It will link your checking account with your bills. You can also specify which day of the month a payment should go out.

Doing this, you will avoid paying extra money because of any delay in paying your bills. Indeed, living debt free is an option that this tool can really achieve.

Does this concept always work on all PCs?

There are programs written to work on all kinds of systems. For example, in the market today, you can get personal finance software for MAC that includes the excellent liquid ledger.

Avoid this #1 top rated common mistake!

Most of the people hurry to accept expensive offers without devoting reasonable time and energy to look for free options. Indeed, you can also find top rated products for free for a certain amount of time. In this context, I would advise you to ask first for a 30-days free trial before you buy anything.

Well, but how to choose the best personal finance software?

The following is 4 killer tips to help you in choosing the right offer for planning your financial situation easily and quickly.

1. Automation- Try and find a program with the maximum amount of automation. The more work it does, the less you will have to.

2. Pre-Made Forms- Try and find tools with more number of pre-made forms. All you will have to do is enter information on these forms.

3. Loan calculators- These are handy programs that help you compare different loans and help you choose the best option.

4. Internet Connectivity- Choose a program that is able to connect to the internet. This will help a lot especially in payment of bills.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Asem_Eltaher

Nine Resolutions

2010-12-29T21:39:00.000-08:00

Resolutions
Reading about how to improve your personal finances is a start, but it has absolutely no meaning if you don't act on it.
Before you can get anywhere with your personal finances, you need to begin — right now.
So what are the steps you should be taking to get your personal finances in order?
Here's a list that you can look at every day, and try to improve your lot. Let's start with getting your banking accounts in order.

1. Pay off all credit card debt:
Credit card debt is Enemy No. 1. If credit card bills are not paid off in full every month, there is a huge negative impact.
Sit down and work out a plan to pay off any debt that you currently have, using the snowball method that best fits your personality. This has to be top priority.

2. Understand the difference between wants and needs
To keep your finances in perspective, you need to understand the difference between wants and needs. There is nothing inherently wrong with small luxuries, and you should be able to enjoy the nonessentials in this life.
But it is important to realise that wants are not needs. If you master this skill, your finances will be in a much better shape.
Critically evaluate your true needs versus your wants. If you are having trouble distinguishing between them, just eliminate impulse spending.

3. Live on less than what you earn
There are no two ways around this one. If you want to keep your finances in order, you need to live on less money than you make. That would mean either purchasing items and services that cost less than what you currently make, or figuring out a way to increase your salary so that you can spend more (but still less than you make). Either of these is fine. Track your spending and create a budget. If you are spending more than you are making, you need to decide whether to curb unnecessary costs or figure out how to increase income. Most people can balance their budget without changing their current lifestyle.

4. Pay yourself first
Before you pay any bill, you should pay yourself a range of 15% to 30% of your take-home salary. This money is not part of your monthly spending budget. Go to your bank and set it up so that your paycheck is automatically deposited, if possible. Then set it up so that an auto payment is made from your paycheck into a specified account that is not used for monthly expenses.

5. Set financial goals
In order to reach your financial goals, you need to know what those are. Nobody can determine these except you. You need to take the time to figure out exactly what your financial goals are so that you can take the necessary steps to reach them. If you don't know specifically what your goals are for this year of the next 10 years, take the steps needed to create them.

6. Educate yourself and be responsible for your decisions
It is convenient to hand over money matters to someone else, but you mustn't do this. Part of being financially responsible is having final say in all decisions about your money. That doesn't mean you can't seek advice, but in the end your money is your responsibility, and you are the only one who is going to truly look after it.
Someone else to look after it, it's time to take back control. No matter what, spend an hour or two each week reading articles on personal finance or visiting web communities where you can ask questions.

7. Save and invest
Take the money that you pay yourself first and either save or invest it to make it grow and work for you in the future. If you are carrying credit card debt, invest in it first. But also make sure to take full advantage of the saving and investing opportunities that are available. Make sure you have an emergency fund.

8. Protect your finances
You will take the necessary steps, usually through insurance, to make sure that your assets are protected in case of a disaster. Take the time to make sure that all your assets are properly insured, and reevaluate this every few years or whenever a major life change occurs, such as marriage or a new addition to the family. Also be sure to compare insurance rates on a regular basis, since this is a competitive business.

9. Donate to worthy causes and to those less fortunate
No matter how desperate your finances may appear, if you are reading this article, there are a lot of people in the world who are far worse off than you are. It's important to nurture a sense of giving and to be thankful for the small things you have. That means donating to worthy causes on a regular basis. If you are in the habit of giving, chances are you will be less greedy as a person.

finance in broader sense

2010-12-04T01:51:00.000-08:00

Finance means how effectively we manage funds. The general areas of finance are business finance, personal finance, and public finance. Finance includes saving money and often includes lending money. The field of finance deals with the concepts of time, money, risk and how they are interrelated. It also deals with how money is spent and budgeted. One facet of finance is through individuals and business organizations, which deposit money in a bank. The bank then lends the money out to other individuals or corporations for consumption or investment and charges interest on the loans. Loans have become increasingly packaged for resale, meaning that an investor buys the loan from a bank or directly from a corporation. Bonds are debt instruments sold to investors for organizations such as companies, governments or charities. The investor can then hold the debt and collect the interest or sell the debt on a secondary market. Banks are the main facilitators of funding through the provision of credit, although private equity, mutual funds, hedge funds, and other organizations have become important as they invest in various forms of debt. Financial assets, known as investments, are financially managed with careful attention to financial risk management to control financial risk. Financial instruments allow many forms of securitized assets to be traded on securities exchanges such as stock exchanges, including debt such as bonds as well as equity in publicly traded corporations. Central banks, such as the Federal Reserve System banks in the United States and Bank of England in the United Kingdom, are strong players in public finance, acting as lenders of last resort as well as strong influences on monetary and credit conditions in the economy.

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2010-12-04T01:50:00.000-08:00

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Debt Settlement Tips

2010-09-03T22:13:00.001-07:00

Every company which sells relief services online is not legitimate. Going though all the organizations listed on the internet is an uphill task. In other words, it is almost impossible. You can use the right debt settlement tips to find the right firms. For instance, one of the important debt settlement tips is that you should never hire an unregistered company. With technological advancements, internet has emerged as the latest necessity. Most of us go online and search for relief companies. However, it is very important to use the right searching techniques to save both time and efforts.

One of the effective debt settlement tips is that you should check the online ratings. Search engine websites rate relief companies and these ratings change in a rapid manner. Some firms maintain a high rating on continuous basis. You should try to hire one of these firms. A firm only has a high rating if people are hiring it regularly. This means that the firm is producing successful settlements for a wide range of people. Let’s look at some other debt settlement tips to find legitimate firms on the internet.

1. You will find some offers which are cheap to unbelievable extent. Relief organizations are there to earn. Apart from that, they have a limited life time and they cannot afford to take any kind of losses. Hence, ignore such proposals. These firms are either unprofessional or illegal. In most cases, they are illegal and they are interested in grabbing small sums of money from the customers. You should be aware of such problems.

2. It is better to hire a private counselor. He may charge a high price from you but you will be know which websites to access, You will not be wasting time in communicating will illegal firms. Apart from that, he will also be able to guide you about the legal clauses and prepare you for lawsuits.

3. You need to concentrate on two important factors, price and quality. Both these factors are important but quality has a higher level of significance. Hire a professional team of consultants even if you have to pay a higher price. Some people are only interested in saving money and they select a firm without researching properly. An illegal firm can even push you to the limit of bankruptcy.

One of the best debt settlement tips is that you should consult an authentic relief network located in your area. This will eliminate the chances of getting scammed.

Getting out of debt through a debt settlement process is currently very popular but you need to know where to locate the best performing programs in order to get the best deals. To compare debt settlement companies it would be wise to visit a free debt relief network which will locate the best performing companies in your area for free.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Owais_Siddiqui

Debt Settlement Help to Pay Off Credit Card Debt - Financial Tips

2010-08-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

Recently the world economy suffered a major setback and its greatest economic recession ever happened. People have gone under such huge unsecured debts that they are finding it difficult to pay it back. In such situation, debt relief alternatives like debt settlement, debt consolidation and consumer credit counseling have come up as major solutions to eliminate debt. But, the question is how to find out which is legitimate and legal company offering the program and here we are talking about Credit Counseling Program.

We can locate various credit counseling companies online offering the counseling programs but not all of them can be qualified as legal and genuine since lots of fraudulent companies are also coming up in the scene. A list of the companies approved and legitimized by the U.S government can be obtained from websites of relief networks like BBC or TASC. You should never go with a company whose advertisements are displayed on radio and television as these are normally not legalized companies. Always check a company's website online before making an opinion as this is where you can read about the past history and case studies handled successfully by the company. The feedbacks and the reviews posted by the satisfied customers say a lot about the company's reputation. Normally, all the legitimate credit counseling programs are offered free of cost by the companies but, if you are asked to pay a minimum to get registered with a company online then you should get alert.

You can search online for the companies and join online forums regarding debt settlement where you can put in your query and ask questions which are creating confusion in your mind. Online debt relief network is considered as the best debt relief network which can help you a lot in choosing the right debt settlement program.

Their are several debt relief options available in this market so it would be wise to speak with a debt relief specialist to determine which option makes the most financial sense for you. Whether it is credit counseling, debt settlement, debt consolidation, or bankruptcy, a debt relief specialist will be able to steer you in the right direction.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danielle_Sanders

Personal Finance Tips

2010-07-26T04:59:00.000-07:00

For those who don’t have money to pay the rate to the bank there is a scenario that can escape debtors from the “wrath” of the bank. When declaring personal bankruptcy the individuals are protected against the creditors.

There are two ways a person can defend creditors when they can no longer pay debts to banks: entry into insolvency and personal bankruptcy declaration. Insolvency proceedings would be similar to that currently applied in companies: a person enters into insolvency and cannot be enforced over the process. Borrowers may declare insolvency through a request made trough the court and the settlement will be made not later than five days after filing.

Thus, from the opening of insolvency proceedings shall suspend all individual prosecution against the debtor, meaning that it can be executed by the bank and no longer running time penalty for not paying the rates. If a debtor – individual – falls into insolvency and comes with a plan of reorganization of the credit agreements, some of his debts may be deleted. If someone declares personal bankruptcy because he cannot pay the loan, his personal assets will be sold in more than five months from the date of entry into bankruptcy, to recover the loan.

When it comes to bankruptcy of a company, there are some advantages, but also disadvantages. One advantage is related to bankruptcy protection against creditors of the debtor, who can recover debts by selling assets. Another advantage is related to the restructuring, although a company or its creditors asked the bankruptcy, the court may rule for a reorganization, in which case the company has chances of survival. Deleting penalties is another advantage. Once that bankruptcy proceeding was declared, the interest and penalties for non-payment for the company debts are no longer calculated.

The main disadvantage is related to the image. Once declared a bankrupt, the image in the market, but in the eyes of future creditors, becomes more sensitive. If the bankruptcy have significant changes in the economic sector or if generates a major social problem, the company may face a very difficult market reentry.

Bankruptcy of a company presents several disadvantages for those who have to recover debts. The creditors who loaned the company without taking guarantees may end up not recover anything from the amounts lent. Preferential creditors may recover something in extent if there are sufficient assets to cover debts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jono_Johnson

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Tips to a Successful Business Venture

2010-07-24T03:25:00.001-07:00

Success in any business is as easy as it is difficult. What you need as a prospective businessman is to look at what others who have succeeded have done and apply same.

To achieve success in your business, here are some tips for you:

1. Go for related training in the business you are passionate about. Let the professionals on the field put you through.

2. Do not be discouraged by the start up capital. Start the business with whatever you have as capital and expand gradually.

3. Network with others and do not operate in isolation.

4. Employ and train competent hands. Trained and skilled staff are the pivot of any business. Having well trained and skilled workers will ensure success of your business.

5. Make customer satisfaction your priority and watchword. Customers are king. For you to achieve success in your business treat your customers well and with transparency.

6. Employ multiple advertising methods. Be aggressive in your publicity in this competitive business world. Print handbills, and posters to advertise your products.

7. A business cannot operate in a vacuum. Treat your employee well and remunerate them well also. Let them have sense of belonging.

In conclusion, the success or failure of any business depends on the entire administration of the business. Know the business you want to venture into very well or you employ the service of an expert, separate business money from personal money and be prudent in your spending. Prioritize your expenses and do not allow your expenses to be above your income at any point in time. Above all, make your business known through advertising.

I am a proficient writer who is competent, enthusiastic, honest, achieved, extremely gifted, highly efficient and sincere. I will be giving you tips on business ventures.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Oluseyi_Sogaolu

Advise For Starting a Small Home Based Business

2010-07-24T03:23:00.001-07:00

There are many ways one can start a small or even large home based business. First off you go to determine if you want to get into the online business or an off-line business or a mix of online / off-line business.

Considering you are leaving this are most likely looking for a online or semi online business venture.
Your online home to a small business can be a part-time thing to bring in some extra income, or can be a full-time ordeal that can generate a huge income.

Determining how much can bring in your online business comes down to how much you want to put into your home based small business.

Sun of the possibilities for your online business and the advertising for big, already established Internet companies which can lead to wages well over $45 an hour.

There are many other options for easy things that can get you up and running and making money within a few minutes setting up. One of the fastest ways to start making money online is like taking surveys, there is a lot of money you made in this area if you fit the right demographic.

There is drop shipping opportunities. This is where you sell goods but you never have to keep anything in stock or on hand, making your overhead extremely low. You can also sell the same goods but without drop shipping, but you have to pay in advance and then ship the goods out yourself this can be a lot more time consuming.

It don't matter which way you choose to carry out your online home news while business plans you can make a very good full-time or part-time income if you follow the right advice.

Have you heard the buzz about all the people making money online? Well now you too can start making some extra spend money or even a living online Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lindon_Bristol

uniform

2010-01-18T08:03:00.000-08:00

Although “the Blue and the Gray” succinctly evokes the North and the South, in actuality, the Civil war uniforms of the Civil War soldiers were anything but “uniform”-neither in color nor any other facet. Uniforms of the Civil War fully explores this fascinating branch of military history, presenting an in-depth study of the many and varied uniforms worn by Northern and Southern soldiers.While the most notable feature of the uniform of the was, in fact, its regulation dark blue color, the Confederates had much more variation, with uniforms ranging from the familiar gray to “butternut.” The many styles and colors worn by the South are presented in a state-by-state survey. The North is covered in similar depth, detailing the uniforms and equipment of the regular army, including infantry, cavalry, and artillery.Uniforms of the Civil WarUniforms is an especially rich source for reenactors and all Civil War enthusiasts

Civi war Musket

2009-05-02T04:17:00.000-07:00

There were two types of musket; the matchlock and the flintlock, which could be as long as five feet and had a firing range of up to 300 yards. They were both loaded in the same way; gunpowder was poured into the barrel and packed in hard with a stick. Civil war Musket Then the lead ball would be put in followed by wadding to hold the ball in place.To fire the matchlock, the most common type of musket, the soldier would empty gunpowder into a pan and cover it to protect it. He would then press a lighted piece of flax into a metal trigger called the serpent. When the gun was fired the lighted flax in the serpent would come down into the pan and light the gunpowder. The flame from this would then enter the barrel of the gun and ignite the gunpowder that had been poured into it and the lead ball would be fired.FlintlockTo fire the flintlock was slightly easier but more expensive. The pan would be filled in the same way but the serpent contained a piece of flint which, when it struck the pan, would produce a spark which would ignite the gunpowder.Both weapons were dangerous and clumsy to use. Some of the longer muskets needed a rest to balance the barrel on because they were too heavy to hold. They were impossible to reload quickly and were most effective when a group of musketeers fired a volley of shots at the enemy.

Civil War Guns

2009-04-23T04:12:00.000-07:00

Shooting a Civil War gun can be fun with instant gratification of the smoke cloud, but requires a safe place with a good high hill as a backstop. The bullet can go a mile, or more, if it escapes over the hill. All of the safety issues that apply to all guns continue to apply, with the biggest being to never to point a gun at another person. Not even as a jest in fun. But there additional considerations for guns made as far back as the Civil War.

Black Powder requires special care as it is more flammable, much more easily ignited, and becomes an explosive in smaller quantities then more modern smokeless propellant powders. Black powder also has shipping restrictions and special storage requirements. There are modern substitutes such as Pyrodex, CleanShot, Pinnnacle, ClearShot, and 777. All of these are safer to ship and store, but they are still flammable. The smoke cloud doesn't quite look and smell the same as the original black powder.

Do not use any other smokeless powder in a firearm made for black powder has been the standard advice for many decades, and for good reason. There are too many injuries from inexperience trying to do so. While such advice isn't exactly true as black powder cartridges are loaded with smokeless powders all the time, there are differences between cartridge and non-cartridge guns that make a seriously unsafe condition whenever smokeless powder is loaded in a muzzle loading gun. Refer to loading manuals such as Lyman's before reloading any type of cartridge, which has a separate manual for reloading cartridges with black powder.

Civil War flags

2009-04-10T04:56:00.000-07:00

Civil War flags was a term used for the flags carried by Civil War regiments. Both armies used flags, which they also referred to as colors, to locate their troops on the battlefield, in camp, and while on the march. Battle flags were used to guide soldiers in battle. Wherever the flags went, the soldiers followed. Flags led the charge or led the retreat. A regiment’s flag was carried by a color sergeant who was the central man in the color guard. A color guard was composed of six corporals whose job was to protect the color sergeants and the flags of the regiment. The regiment’s flag was a great source of pride in each regiment and to lose the flag in battle was a great disgrace. The capture of an opponent’s flag was, in turn, a great honor. While infantry regiments had their flags, there were also special flags made for headquarters, the artillery, cavalry, and even the quartermaster and engineers- almost every unit had one! Columns of soldiers marching toward Gettysburg were easily identified by the colorful flags that each unit carried, most having the name of the regiment painted on them.

Memorandum on black powder guns

2009-04-01T04:23:00.000-07:00

Up to 1887 there was provision only for the proof of guns for black powder Guns ; but by that time the use of smokeless or nitro powders was commonplace. In that year a proof to cover their use, supplementary to definitive proof, was introduced. The service load of the powder intended for use, i.e. E.C. or Schultze, was then impressed on the barrel at proof. Under the 1896 Rules, proof to cover the use of nitro powders was still supplementary to the ordinary proof for black powder, but the words "Nitro Proof" were introduced as a proof mark.The NP marks were introduced in 1904 but the nitro proof test remained optional until 1925, when new Rules of Proof made it obligatory. By that time most gunmakers had been voluntarily submitting their guns to nitro proof for many years.Except on guns proved since February 1955 the NP marks were always used in conjunction with the words "Nitro Proof". The black powder proof marks remain valid, and a gun bearing them may still legally be used with black powder cartridges, provided it has not undergone any alteration taking it out of the category and state in which it was originally proved. Such alterations include conversion to ejector, rebrazing the lumps, increasing the depth of the chambers to take a longer cartridge or the enlargement of barrels beyond certain defined limits.A gun, through neglect or misuse, may become unsafe even in a short time, and a gun made over fifty years ago may be extremely dangerous.Shooters are therefore urged most strongly to buy only guns bearing the marks of nitro proof and not to permit the use of nitro or smokeless cartridges in any black powder gun already in their possession, until it has passed the nitro proof. If owners wish to use such guns with nitro powders, they should send them to their makers, other gun firm or gunmaker for advice, estimate for preparation in accordance with the Rules of Proof, the carrying out of such work, and submission for nitro proof.The charges involved must of course be paid whether or not a gun passes the proof test, but it is better that any weakness be revealed at the Proof House rather than in the field.Muzzle-loading and black powder proved guns may be reproved for black powder. It will hardly be necessary to point out to members of the gun trade that neither their own interests nor those of their customers can be served by the sale of black powder guns which may have become dangerous. For many years some firms have not sold black powder guns and, in addition, will not do any work to such weapons except preparation for and submission to proof.Such a policy may not be possible in all cases, but apart from any question of legal liability for repairs carried out, it is urged that there is a heavy moral responsibility to point out the age and condition of any of these veteran guns before accepting them for repair.Muzzle-loading arms should never be fired with nitro powders.

Civil War Uniforms

2009-03-24T04:21:00.000-07:00

Although "the Blue and the Gray" succinctly evokes the North and the South, in actuality, the uniforms of the Civil War soldiers were anything but "uniform"-neither in color nor any other facet. Uniforms of the Civil War fully explores this fascinating branch of military history, presenting an in-depth study of the many and varied uniforms worn by Northern and Southern soldiers.While the most notable feature of the uniform of the was, in fact, its regulation dark blue color, the Confederates had much more variation, with uniforms ranging from the familiar gray to "butternut." The many styles and colors worn by the South are presented in a state-by-state survey. The North is covered in similar depth, detailing the uniforms and equipment of the regular army, including infantry, cavalry, and artillery.Uniforms of the Civil WarUniforms is an especially rich source for reenactors and all Civil War enthusiasts

The Civil war weapon

2009-03-18T04:34:00.000-07:00

A Civil war weapon is a tool used to apply or threaten to apply force for the purpose of hunting, attack or defense in combat, subduing enemy personnel, or to destroy enemy weapons, equipment and defensive structures. A weapon is therefore a device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force.[1] In general, they can be defined as the simplest mechanisms that use mechanical advantage (also called leverage) to multiply force.In attack, weapons may be used to threaten by direct contact or by use of projectiles. Weapons can be as simple as a club, or as complex as an intercontinental ballistic missile. Metaphorically speaking, anything capable of causing damage, even psychologically, can be referred to as a weapon. More recently, non-lethal weapons have been developed for para-military, security and even combat use, designed to incapacitate personnel and reduce collateral damage to property and environment.

Civil War Uniform

2009-03-14T02:53:00.000-07:00

Civil War Uniform

Black Powder and How To Make It

2009-03-13T05:11:00.000-07:00

For over a thousand years, individuals made their own black powder, but then the technology was lost to the Industrial Revolution. This lost technology is now being brought back and made available once again.No chemical formula has had a more profound effect on the history of mankind than that of black powder. Even nuclear energy has not changed mankind to the extent that black powder has.For hundreds of years, the process of manufacturing black powder was a closely guarded secret. Black powder was a luxury item which was affordable to only the most powerful nations, and as such, has radically changed the history of governments throughout the ages. People have won their freedom from the tyranny of oppressive governments by the use of black powder in guns and cannon.The Industrial Revolution would not have happened as it did without black powder for mining coal and iron. Only black powder made possible the largest engineering projects of the 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Civil War

2009-03-07T02:28:00.000-08:00

The Civil War split the nation. It was the most bitter conflict within the United States. The source of the conflict between the North and the South resulted from fundamentally different ways of life. Economy in the South was heavily based on agriculture and growing cotton. The North was heavily industrialized with factories and manufacturing being central to the economy.Growing and harvesting cotton required large numbers of workers. This work force was made up of about 4 million slaves. By the 1800's, the African slave trade had become illegal. But existing slaves were not freed. Men and women of the North pushed to completely abolish slavery. The South feared that losing the slaves would have a severe economic impact on cotton plantations.Abraham Lincoln was against slavery. When he was elected President in 1860, seven Southern states left, or seceded, from the United States. They formed the Confederate States of America. On April 12, 1861, southern Confederate forces captured Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Four more states seceded, and the Civil War began.The Civil War consisted of more than 50 major battles and 5000 minor battles. In less than 5 years, more than 600,000 men were killed and hundreds of thousands of others were wounded. The Union army with more soldier and resources eventually overcame the Confederate army. On April 9, 1865, General Lee surrendered his Confederate troops.

Black Powder Guns

2009-03-03T04:16:00.000-08:00

Black Powder Guns historic replica and model guns. Now, with our new line of real Black Powder firing Guns, we are excited to offer the opportunity to truly experience a piece of history. These functional black powder firing guns are reproductions of historic firearms that saw military action in America from the French & Indian War through the Civil War. The prominent role that Black Powder firearms have played in our history has been kept alive by hunters, shooting enthusiasts, and re-actors throughout the world. Collector’s Armoury is proud to have the opportunity to support your interest in black powder shooting and collecting.We invite you to review our line of Civil War and Colonial Black Powder Firearms and accessories. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions. As always, we appreciate your consideration and look forward to serving you.No Federal Firearms License is required. These products can be shipped to U.S. locations only. Please check your local laws prior to purchase to ensure compliance. You must be 18 years old to purchase and 21 years old to sign for these products. Basic eye and hearing protection is included with the purchase of Black Powder guns.

Civil War Weapons smoothbore musket

2009-02-26T03:58:00.000-08:00

Infantry tactics at the time of the Civil War were based on the use of the smoothbore musket, a weapon of limited range and accuracy. Firing lines that were much more than a hundred yards apart could not inflict very much damage on each other, and so troops which were to make an attack would be massed together, elbow to elbow, and would make a run for it; if there were enough of them, and they ran fast enough, the defensive line could not hurt them seriously, and when they got to close quarters the advantage of numbers and the use of the bayonet would settle things. But the Civil War musket was rifled, which made an enormous difference. It was still a muzzle-loader, but it had much more accuracy and a far longer range than the old smoothbore, and it completely changed the conditions under which soldiers fought. An advancing line could be brought under killing fire at a distance of half a mile, now, and the massed charge of Napoleonic tradition was miserably out of date. When a defensive line occupied field entrenchments-which the soldiers learned to dig fairly early in the game-a direct frontal assault became almost impossible. The hideous casualty lists of Civil War battles owed much of their size to the fact that soldiers were fighting with rifles but were using tactics suited to smoothbores. It took the generals a long time to learn that a new approach was needed.

Much the same development was taking place in the artillery, although the full effect was not yet evident. The Civil War cannon, almost without exception, was a muzzle-loader, but the rifled gun was coming into service. It could reach farther and hit harder than the smoothbore, and for counterbattery fire it was highly effective-a rifled battery could hit a battery of smoothbores without being hit in return, and the new 3-inch iron rifles, firing a 10-pound conical shot, had a flat trajectory and immense Penetrating power. But the old smoothbore-a brass gun of 4.62-inch caliber, firing a 12-pound spherical shot-remained popular to the end of the war; in the wooded, hilly country where so many Civil War battles were fought, its range of slightly less than a mile was about all that was needed, and for close-range work against infantry the smoothbore was better than the rifle. For such work the artillerist fired canisters tin can full of iron balls, with a propellant at one end and a wooden disk at the other-and the can disintegrated when the gun was fired, letting the iron balls be sprayed all over the landscape. In effect, the cannon became a huge sawed-off shotgun, and at ranges of 250 yards or less it was in the highest degree murderous.

Civil War Uniforms

2009-02-25T04:03:00.000-08:00

The uniforms of the Civil War helped distinguish between the Union soldiers of the North, and the Confederate soldiers from the south. But early in the war, uniforms were provided by states, towns and wealthy individuals. This resulted in a confusing variety of styles and colors on both sides. Over time, blue became the official color for the North and gray for the Confederate uniforms

Civil war Clothing for Children’s

2009-02-06T04:35:00.000-08:00

Civil war Clothing for Children’s, during the Musket Civil War, was not just the fluff and ruffles one might see in the popular fashion plates of the time. Most children's clothing served functional purposes. Boys' shirts and trousers would have buttoned to other under things, as did some of the clothing for the girls.

Black powder rifles

2009-02-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

Black powder rifles have been around since the dawn of firearms themselves. Historically black powder cannons were the first widely used black powder firearms, until muzzle loaded firearms started to become commonly used around the thirteenth century, when Europeans began making custom firearms for hunting and war. Now the muzzle loaders are considered to be a hobbyist firearm, rather than sole option

Civil War Swords

2009-02-06T02:51:00.000-08:00

Our Civil War swords are modeled after actual historic swords. All are crafted to the exact specifications as their historic counterpart using the only the highest quality materials. These Civil War swords make a wonderful addition to any collection and are perfect for any history buffs. To view the Civil War swords that are available

Civil War musket

2009-02-06T02:17:00.000-08:00

Civil War Weapons

2009-01-30T22:14:00.000-08:00

Civil War weapons made fighting the war possible. The war would not have been much of a fight without the weapons of the Civil War. The weapons used during the war ranged from Civil War muskets to submarines.Civil War weapons played a most crucial part in the war. Without them the war would have been almost impossible to even fight let alone win. StatCounter - Free Web Tracker and Counter