The Armour Archive

Otto

For SCA fencing jackets in the proper time period, does anyone have some pics or sites that show what type of thing would have been appropriate??

For SCA fencing, it's armour, so just hush!

Otto

Sad to say, but once, as a combat archer, I was shooting through openings in my own troops and into some "castle" defenders. During one of the shots, just as I let fly the arrow, someone from my own side stepped over into the lane I was shooting through. Needless to say, the arrow struck him a resou...

Otto

OK, I was wondering about that... perhaps the rules have been refined since I last participated. The requirement to get the bow off the field or to a marshal made it very impractical to try to draw a weapon if someone broke through the line. I shall have to find the newer rules and look them over ag...

Otto

Sarnac... so, if I had... say a cheap fiberglass bow (hopefully covered in some way as to look nicer at least)... if I was being charged, I could toss said bow to the ground in the empty area behind me (even though said empty area is still on the field) and draw my weapon? Seems like in the past you...

Otto

Sarnac... I used to do the combat archery thing... I gave up on carrying a weapon as I could never think of a safe way to set aside my bow in a battle. What's the current thinking on that. Last I knew, you couldn't just fling your bow away, you had to dispose of it safely... a hard thing to do with ...

Otto

2...

only employ it in occasional battles... not every one.

though option 4 isn't so bad either... making changes if they are needed is usually a good idea

[This message has been edited by Otto (edited 09-20-2002).]

Otto

My cheapest is a $100 barrel helm...

------------------
Otto's Armoury
(home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!)

http://www.members.tripod.com/SBvast

Otto

Conrad, I thought your wife barely tolerated the SCA thing.... you looking for new living arrangements???

If it happens and I can manage the time, I'd be happy to stop by.

Otto

Chain is pretty, and very appropriate to many time periods... but it doesn't provide much if any actual armour value in SCA style combat (other than the mass)

------------------
Otto's Armoury
(home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!)

http://www.members.tripod.com/SBvast

Otto

20g stainless might be similar to 18g mild.

Stainless is stiffer than mild, but 18g is thicker than 20g... so it kind of balances out.

The lower the number, the thicker the metal.

------------------
Otto's Armoury
(home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!)

http://www.members.tripod.com/SBvast

Otto

Well, at least it's not on one of the dead guys!

I corresponded with Sinric somewhat before using his pattern for "sale" items. I got the impression that it was intended as a pretty historically accurate helm pattern.

Otto

I've used the pattern 3 or 4 times now... in various configurations with great success. I do add about an inch to the length of both the front and back lower panels... I think that translating from the computer left a little of the pattern missing.... most notably, the center of the lower faceplate....

Otto

Mine use the leather hinge on one side and a strap and buckle on the other.

Otto

Well, you go to my site and buy one, obviously!

------------------
Otto's Armoury
(home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!)

http://www.members.tripod.com/SBvast

Otto

And if you want to see my bargrills, use the attached link...

------------------
Otto's Armoury
(home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!)

http://www.members.tripod.com/SBvast

Otto

Stupid question... but for SCA use... (midrealm) do these require any taping, or can they be used "as is"? I love the look of the mace... I used to fight mace alot.

Otto

Well, if it's any help, my wife makes gambesons (I don't know if an aketon is any different... not really my area) for $100.

She uses 100% cotton fabric for the shell and 4 layers of batting (80% cotton, 20% poly), with detachable sleeves with 2 layers of batting.

Otto

I've worked pretty extensively with both in sheet and rod form... it has been my experience that the cold-rolled is harder...takes harder hitting to bend/shape. And, of course, the always popular mill-scale issue with the hot-rolled. That's why I always buy cold-rolled. Now, at least in my area, hot...

Otto

My general use rivet is a round head 3/16 diameter, 3/8 length.

I have other rivet sizes and such for other uses... but the above is my "all purpose" rivet.

Otto

You're welcome, and thanks for the kind review.

------------------
Otto's Armoury
(home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!)

http://www.members.tripod.com/SBvast

Otto

Be manly!! Cut it with the saw! Been there, done that, got the T-shirt http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/smile.gif The jigsaw will do the job just fine... it's just tedious is all. I'd rather take it slow with the jigsaw than risk hurting my beverly shear. Jigsaw blades are cheap... beverly shears ar...

Otto

Host an Armour-in??? in my 6ft by 6ft workshop??? That's IT!!! POD has taken one too many hits from the snake!

Otto

Why are all these armour-ins so damn far away????

Otto

After making your initial crease with the chisel, you set it over an edge (like the edge of your stake or anvil) and tap the edges on the front, cleaning and sharpening them up.

Otto

I was looking at just that item in Brian Price's book last night. The pics of one which appeared to be a period piece had the plates rivetted to a solid leather backing. Other questions... I believe it goes to about belly button level and has no back plate. The side plates go well around the back, b...

Otto

I use cheap blades in my jigsaw.. about $1 each. The current one has done about 1/2 a 14 gauge stainless helm, 9 gorgets, 2 sets of spaulders, 1 pair of elbows, the misc. cutting needed for a basket hilt, and is still going strong. I use the 17 teeth per inch variety of metal cutting blade. --------...

Otto

So Matt, what process did you use for the bluing? Minor detail is OK.

Otto

To the best of my knowledge, you're not going to find any shear for cheap that will cut 14 guage mild. The jig saw will work, and do a good job... you just need some pointers. Don't balance the metal between 2 stumps... you really need a solid surface like a workbench. Do your cutting as close to th...

Otto

I do the creasing/fluting before shaping the plate, then I gradually shape the plate using a rubber mallet and the edge of my RR track anvil. Of course, if it's less than 12 guage, you can mostly shape it with your hands over the edge of your anvil, with fine tuning done with the rubber mallet. ----...

Otto

Don't despair... even with the small amount of missing material, the pattern can work. Just gotta fit it CAREFULLY!

Oh, and Torum... I'm in Bellevue, MI

------------------
Otto's Armoury
(home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!)

http://www.members.tripod.com/SBvast

Otto

I've recently made a couple of those helms... I think the pattern glitch is in the center of the face-plate. If you use what you get out of the computer and put the brass cross over it, the cross covers up some of the air holes. I found the missing material belongs (about 1 inch worth) in the center...

Otto

Years ago, I went to making bargrills only with a center bar. Makes the grill MUCH stronger, more stable.

Otto

I intend to be making basic bascinets (most likely for $125-$150) by the end of the month. I have to make a proto-type first to make sure that I'm OK with the design though. I'll be posting when they go up on my site. ------------------ Otto's Armoury (home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!) http:/...

Otto

I could do a riveted grill for you like the helms on my site. But at this point, you'd have to use next day shipping to get it to me and back in time.

I'd charge $40 plus shipping.

------------------
Otto's Armoury
(home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!)

http://www.members.tripod.com/SBvast

Otto

Well, I will concede that re-inforcing the brass strip at the eyeslot is most likely a good idea for long term usage.

I'm not certain that I see any real risk of a "blow-out"... but for appearances sake, the re-inforced brass would hold up better. A better armouring practice all around.

Fencing Jacket (it's armour too, so shut up!)