Thought I would bump this thread as Rick has piqued my interest AGAIN! and I really would like to find more answers.
Obviously this is not directly on arms subject matter, but of course the very image of pirates brings to mind the weapons they used.
Hoping in the near future to move toward a more comprehensive look at the actual weapons used by pirates, beyond the more cliche' forms such as the cutlasses and pistols. With these vessels operating in the Indian Ocean and to their Madagascar center, the vessels preyed upon out of India must have had an array of arms which might have found use among pirates. Certainly, as part of the loot, these exotic weapons would surely have been deemed useful.
On a more esoteric note, one thing I would like to bring to attention here, is on the huge 'ingot' of this discussion on the Clifford find, along with what may be spurious markings as often used on the lead ballast bars.....the presence of the device known as the 'Tau' cross. This may be perceived as the 'triple tau' which as part of Masonic regalia and symbolism may represent the 'T' over'H' (=templum hierosylmoe, temple of Jerusalem) which is said to be part of Royal Arch (York Rite) symbolism. In other references the symbol can be associated with 'the key to the treasure', in any number of metaphoric explanations.
This curious symbol placed on an ingot in this manner seems most curious and does not seem used on other bars or ingots whether lead or precious metal.
If the bar was, according to UNESCO, 95% lead and 5% something else (silver?) and with this highly suggestive symbol, could that lead to the controversy ? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BAR?
The imaqes are of the 'ingot' in question......next an actual silver ingot note markings' dynamics.
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