The Armour Archive

Ron

Look into http://www.tillersinternational.org they offer classes in timber framing and some books as well.

Ron

I'm interested in a set of large strap hinges for a chest. I'm looking for something 17th century Polish (ideally), or German or Russian or Turkish. Have you done anything like that or do you have any reference pics that you might use?

Ron

How do you set the rivets?

Thanks, Ron

Ron

I saw this a week or so ago in the New York Times. If you look carefully, it is several score of Masai archers on the attack. The photo in the newspaper was much, much bigger and therefore much more impressive.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/world ... nya&st=cse

Ron

The floor of the quiver usually causes a constriction at the mid point of the quiver, which is sufficient to hold the arrows in place. I've seen quivers with & without the floor. Those with a floor can use wood or leather. I make them all three ways. Other quivers have a leather insert at the top (t...

Ron

I don't see how the archer in the wood cut could successfully draw his bow -- I think that is a bit of artistic license. A mounted archer should have a 180 deg field of fire. I used about 8oz veg tanned so I could dye it myself on the ones at http://www.polishhussarsupply.com . I think you could pro...

Ron

The ones at http://www.polishhussarsupply.com/HorseArchery.html are based on examples in Polish and Turkish museums. They are right for the 16th & 17th centuries. The brass plates were based on Turkish designs. As for the comments about purely functional vs. the gaudy workmanship, frankly, the gaudy...

Ron

I attend reenacting events rather than SCA events. That having been said, I'd buy spices in a minute at any event if they had a one page description of the spice who used it, when, etc. Also ideas where I might be able to use it and possibly one recipe that showcased it. The linen bag sounds cool, b...

Ron

There's a sculpture called Meleager by Silvio Cosini ca. 1530 that shows a hunter (well a nude one) with what appears to be a back quiver. It is worn low but has a shoulder strap and no belt. Of note, the arrows point up in that quiver. It is rectangular in form, similar to the one in DOMENICHINO's ...

Ron

Cat, I have to agree with Cian on this. Your craftsmanship is stunning and you shouldn't feel bad at all with putting it in a gallery if given the chance. Frankly, I always look forward to your posts to see what cool stuff you're making. Because you've made a round box, I suggest you explore Shaker ...

Ron

I usually count on $0.10 per nock $3.00 per shaft $1.20 for three feathers $0.25 per arrowhead (I use standard field points) $0.45 for glues & finish (all modern unless requested) ------- $5.00 per arrow for materials In addition, there are a variety of jigs, some optional, others essential. If you'...

Ron

I like this clamp: http://ns1.bowsite.org/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Product_ID=235&CATID=8 An alternative to Three Rivers Archery is http://www.kustom-king.com -- both are quite good. I agree with Bob H on using Allegheny Mountain for shafting. I try to catch all three vendors in western Michigan at a...

Ron

Yumi, the company, is run by Jaap Koppedrayer. For a long time, he didn't have a web site at all, but I just found one: http://www.yumi-bows.com/ There are no prices and he prefers phone calls to email. I've had an earlier Kassai bow, before quantity went up and quality went down and I shoot it ofte...

Ron

It is all white pine. I made it about five years ago and gave it several coats of boiled linseed oil and beeswax (50:50 mix), the rest is just natural aging (or lighting) Yes, the top's nailed to cleats so it is removable. I've yet to figure out a good way to attach the top to the legs for use, but ...

Ron

Well, I thought it was really easy. You need to know how to make a mortise & tenon, and a rabbet joint for the top. Beyond the obvious lumber, a handful of nails and some glue were all it took. Material: Leg verticals & leg tops (hips?) are made of 2x4, planed down so it doesn't look so dimensional....

Ron

I made this table: http://r.jachim.home.comcast.net/~r.jachim/images/table.JPG based on this woodcut from 17th or 18th century Poland (IIRC): http://r.jachim.home.comcast.net/~r.jachim/images/table-woodcut.jpg It has two leg sets, two rails that attach the legs with keyed mortise & tenons. The table...

Ron

As silly as it sounds, the things I found the most valuable from Tandy were three books. They allow you to work smarter and faster. The Art of Hand Sewing Leather The Art of Making Leather Cases Leathercraft Tools Never pay more than 50-66% of the list price for each, just wait until they're on sale...

Ron

ok, totally stupid question:

Where does one get rings for riveted maille? I'd love to to a project with 3/8" (ID) riveted maille. These would help, but I need the other half.

Ron

If you will be doing much stitching, a stitching pony is nice. They are described in The Art of Hand Sewing Leather book mentioned above. Two other handy book are (both available from Tandy): The Art of Making Leather Cases -- sure you probably won't be making cases for flash cubes, but the techniqu...

Ron

Well, as Ottoman cavalry, you might have had a horn bow instead of a gun. Bows are easier to reload.

You'd also have a kalkan http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=54398

Ron

Here's some information I've been compiling on Turkish kalkans: http://r.jachim.home.comcast.net/kalkans.htm

Ron

Turkish Tents from the Ottoman times, had carved tent poles as you describe. Otag-1 Humayun (The Ottoman Imperial Tent Complex) by Nurhan Atasoy has pictures of many. This book is available in (English or Turkish) from www.tulumba.com but it is a very expensive book. You mention them being hollow, b...

Ron

Russ, What are you thinking of using for arrow heads? I've always doubted the plain steel Hungarian ones would hold up adequately. I've wondered about trying to heat treat them, but I haven't bothered. Did your arrow smith ever work out? Have you considered ash shafts to increase the mass of the arr...

Ron

You've got to spend time setting it up or take advantage of opportunities. It is an issue of spin control. Set up: Gee honey, I'd really like to make you a bed for reenacting, but I need mortising bits (or if you're really good, a mortising machine) to pull it off. And I could use them for making yo...

Ron

I've heard of wood, "wicker", and metal Turkish shields (Turkish: kalkans), but they are all round. To my eye, the wicker ones wrapped in silk thread look the coolest. Here's my meager, unfinished attempt to document what I've learned about wicker kalkans: http://r.jachim.home.comcast.net/kalkans.ht...

Ron

This is the one I use. Its only problem is the lack of arms for my bazubands.

http://home.armourarchive.org/members/t ... rStand.htm

Ron

You'll just need to hit an event in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ron

Tandy has some decent books, including one that is something like: "The Art of Making Leather Cases, Volume 1" which is especially helpful. You may not make anything in it, but the techniques will serve you well. My local Tandy is pretty reenactor friendly. I know Tandy's a chain, and there are some...

Ron

There's not a Horn Bow for Dummies book. :-) One of the Traditional Bowyers' Bilbles as an article about horn bows, but IIRC, it is more of a guide to the various types of horn bows than about how to make them. The reflex happens as a result of the sinew shrinking as it dries. You can get some infor...

Ron

... and don't forget lots of heavy gold chains

Ron

Are you making XVIIc Polish hussa buckles? How much for 10 smaller ones and 4 larger ones? I noticed the XVIIc powder flask.

Ron

KALKANS

The round wicker & silk shields with metal bosses in the center. Undoubtedy, many were captured from the Turks. More info on kalkans can be found here: http://r.jachim.home.comcast.net/kalkans.htm

Any photos would be greatly appreciated!!

Ron

Maille was used by medium cavalry through the 17th century in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Ottoman Empire. It was also used in Russia through at least the 16th century. It was worn at least as late as the late 19th century in Persia/Iran but I don't think that was for combat.

Ron

There were three holes per side of each lame on the one I saw up close. I too have been thinking about making some, but I need to lose a good thirty pounds first. I'd go with riveted maille. On other pieces, some of the lames, especially on the chest, are engraved or embossed.

Ron

I've seen this done live & its pretty cool. Those riders are really moving.

The wood was about 1/4" or so thick and is straight-grained. It looked like cedar to me. The arrowheads were large blunts which made a wonderful popping sound when they hit the target.