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Tag Archives: British Secret Service

A Note For Students; in regards to book reports and projects

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If you’ve selected Kate Tattersall Adventures in China for a book report I’m flattered, thank you very much. I hope this article will help, and you find the mid 1800s a very interesting era to study. The adventure is over 41,000 words, so it should be long enough to meet …

Roots of the British Secret Service

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Officially, the British Secret Intelligence Service formed in 1909 under the name of Secret Service Bureau, in a response to the perceived threat caused by activities of the Imperial German Government. However, international intrigue is clearly documented well back over five centuries. Perhaps one of the best examples is Sir …

Steam Power in the mid 1800s

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The first “horseless carriage” to be demonstrated in London was constructed by Richard Trevithick in 1803. It was designed as a passenger vehicle and averaged between 4 to 9 mph (6.5 to 14.5km), similar to a trotting horse. While the propulsion system seemed to be fine, and perhaps could have …

Early Victorian Handguns; Part 3, Kate Tattersall’s pistols

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What was special about the weapons Kate carried on her missions? They were the creations of her brother, Jack Beaufort, a brilliant inventor who drew from the skills of others and combined them for startling results. The descriptions and technical drawings are similar to any number of pepperbox revolvers which …

Early Victorian Handguns; Part 2, problems with design

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There were some surprisingly good handgun designs by the early 1850s. While many of the finest were produced in London, an outstanding model was designed and manufactured by Samuel E. Robbins and Richard S. Lawrence of Windsor, Vermont, from about 1851 to 1854. A total of about 7,000 of these …

Early Victorian Handguns; Part 1, a time of great change

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The need to stop many men at once was a problem gunsmiths had been working on for some time. Volley guns, whether long arms or hand held, were developed in the 1700s. First as flintlocks, then as percussion cap and hammer, these weapons fired (or misfired) all the barrels at …

Kate Tattersall; a little bio

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We hope you enjoy the articles and short stories presented here, and will join Kate in her adventures for many years to come. Upon request, you will receive an inscribed copy of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China with every donation of $10 or more plus shipping. Please use the Contact Page to provide your …

Kate Tattersall, Victorian Adventuress Extraordinaire

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For a few years I’ve been sorting through a set of diaries and bundles of letters that were kept by my ancestor and crafting them into readable accounts. It has been a challenge as she often refers to certain aspects of her life which requires research. I have determined that …