I am curious about the suggestion of an "honor culture" and would like to know more about the specific culture that may be at play here.
The possible sub culture that could be involved is similar to Boston's "Southie" sub culture.
Its partly based on a conglomeration of differerent long term ethnic groups from the Baltimore area: Irish, Italian, Appalachian, some eastern European etc. It is also based on a social group: white working class. Alot of their parents worked at the Sparrows Point industrial complex. Others at a large car plant etc.
As with "Southies", they have a distinct accent- well, they did when I lived in the area which was decades ago. It may of been muted by now.
And... possibly like the Boston group (never been around them), the group can be fuzzy to define:
Some locals may identify as one, others never have. It may be generational as there used to be a stigma attached to the group. Some had noticeable mannerisms, but others did not. Some had vague clothing preferences, others did not. They did, however, place alot of emphasis on respect / dis respect type concepts.
I dont even know if the Baltimore group has a real name. I have heard the term "Baltimoron" used. Like "hillbilly" it was an insult or a term of identity- depending on how much the "moron" ending was stressed.
In short.... I cant really describe them. But, when I lived in the area, I knew them when I saw them.