The Armour Archive

Otto

This relates to (usually) barrel helms with brass crosses on them. The vertical portion of the cross goes over the center of the eyeslot (obviously). I've seen on a couple (that I can think of) different threads, the advice to make sure to have steel under the brass as the brass could be broken. Now...

Otto

Suprisingly, for all the compliments I have gotten on the helm here and at events, I've yet to get a bid on it. The price is pretty low at $140... [img]http://members.aol.com/sbvast1/GreathelmFront[/img] [img]http://members.aol.com/sbvast1/GreathelmSide[/img] ------------------ Otto's Armoury (home ...

Otto

I'll have to consider it... any SCA depiction of early armour is going to have some glaring discrepancies in it. http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/tongue.gif I recall those early british basket hilts and mitten gauntlets... and gorgets, of course... not to mention aventails and upper leg armour. Even...

Otto

Would it be reasonable for an early period (approx. 6th cent) Briton to have an adaptation (something similar, but not exactly like) a lorica segmenta and pteruges (hopefully I have gotten the right word for the skirt of leather strips)... or is that combination way out in left field?

Otto

For the experienced welders out there. The reading I have done indicated that to weld stainless, you must have welding wire which matches the same composition of the stainless you are welding. Is this true? or will using stainless welding wire do the trick without worrying too much about it's exact ...

Otto

Thanks, I think those are the ones I was looking for.

Otto

Awhile ago, there was a thread with pics of a few helms of this nature, slightly different design. Does anyone have those pics or a link to that thread? (doing reseach for T-Bob)

Otto

Cool Conrad!... if you're still trying to sell the others and you happen by Simple Day, drop them off at my booth and I'll try to sell them again.

Otto

I don't know if it's what you are after, but I do fanless elbows and spaulders...

check my site.

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

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

Otto

As a side note, my apologies to T-Bob... I just can't afford to hold the helm right now. Finances are a little short in the land of Otto just now.

Otto

Of course, I have Ebay auctions for gorgets going... I always do. But this time, I have auctions going for 2 different items, if anyone is interested. The first is the Sinric-pattern greathelm that I posted pics of on the construction page. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=21203038...

Otto

For anyone interested, I've added shield bosses and a 5 piece, domed-top greathelm to my site. I'll be adding a few more helm types over the summer.

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

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

Otto

Well, I've got helms under $200 for new... check my link if you're interested.

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

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

Otto

hjalmar... for whatever it's worth, my dear wife has several arming caps made from the pattern here on the archive. Cotton shell with 2 layers of cotton batting inside. We will be at Swine and Roses, and I think those will sell for $5 each, if you wanna save yourself some sewing. Look for Otto's arm...

Otto

No real tips Torum.... just read what was posted above. It's a pretty basic pattern, shouldn't give you too much trouble.

Otto

Would I actually see a benefit over just working with cold steel? Or would I spend more time dealing with the fire than I would save due to easier working??? Of course, it seems like it would be easier to do complicated metal sculpting. But, is that a good price? For a used forge in decent condition?

Otto

So, I have an opportunity to pic up a small forge (pan is about 2 ft x 3 ft, maybe a little bigger), with a hand crank blower for about 80-90 bucks. It appears to be in good condition. Is this a good deal? Also, as someone who works almost entirely in plate, will this be useful to me... really? Opin...

Otto

Hey POD... why don't you send me a pair of those stainless mitten gauntlets witht the brass trim. In return, I'll write and let you know if they fit!

You do good work... and at your low prices, you'll be quite busy.

Otto

Hrolfr... I've got some stainless right now, if you could supply a picture of the helm, I could tell you if I could duplicate it.

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

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

Otto

So, there's a small forge for sale at a yard sale up the road... most of you are familiar with the mediocre level of my current work. Is this something that would help me out, or just another problem type thing to tie me up? ------------------ Otto's Armoury (home of one HIGHLY overworked armourer!)...

Otto

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Otto

Ok fine! I'll just drop my hammers and go back to playing with blocks now!

Great work!

[This message has been edited by Otto (edited 06-29-2002).]

Otto

Guilliam2... actually some of the points you mention are a direct result of a minor patterning problem (not that Sinric's pattern is off... but what I got off the computer apparently had a little missing at the edges). I noticed too late that the lower faceplate was missing about 1/2 inch or so righ...

Otto

Yeah, the marks on the upper back plate are sanding marks... I'm not big on the mirror finish thing. It's something I mean to try someday. One thing that I did that doesn't show due to the angle of the photos is the I even creased/ridged the top plate... as in Sinrics pattern pics... I guess an extr...

Otto

The edges are clean... I make sure to file each and every one. The possible scratches... I'm not sure, the pic isn't getting quite that good a level of detail for me to tell. However, I can say... it's not a polished finish, only sanded. Could be you're seeing some sanding marks?

Otto

Here are pics of a greathelm I finished just last night using (almost correctly) Sinric's pattern. I am adding it as a stock item on my site (with Sinric's permission, of course) It's not quite perfect, but not too bad. Any comments? [img]http://members.aol.com/sbvast1/GreathelmFront[/img] [img]http...

Otto

Chef, no worries... it's not a matter of immediate importance. I'm not sure when I'm going to make another helm of that specific design, includig the brass cross. I thought that clearing up that minor issue would be useful for future reference.

Otto

Sinric, a simple question on your greathelm pattern... on the arms of the brass eyeslot cross, does the curving part belong up or down? I made one and will post pics of my result later today... but due to an error on my part (I didn't flare the eyeslot edges) I had to do some corrective surgery to w...

Otto

This one HAS to be a misunderstanding... I've had multiple dealings with Clay/POD and he has ALWAYS been prompt and helpful.

Otto

Let's see... It took me about an hour to make... didn't need a "how to" mostly I wanted disc size and depth to shoot for... as it is mostly just basic dishing after all. The disc size I have been using is 9" and... how I shaped the 2 I have done so far is to start with the disc, with the 1 inch bord...

Otto

[img]http://members.aol.com/sbvast1/Shieldboss1[/img] [img]http://members.aol.com/sbvast1/Shieldboss2[/img] I hope these pics came through... If they did, it's my first attempt at a shield boss. Submitted for constructive criticism. Before these 2 points are covered, I know that it should have been ...

Otto

Well, I can tell you right up front, mine has that slightly dimpled look that comes from imperfect planishing. (visible upon close inspection) and some scarring in the flange area do to poor initial work-surface choices. My future ones won't have that problem. Though mine has decent shape, it's not ...

Otto

Well Matt, your bosses are way nicer than mine... but it takes me years to get good at something http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/smile.gif I don't think I'll be any real competition for you on the net... but I've been asked about them at events so many times, I thought it'd be a nice addition to my...

Otto

Well, I made my first one out of 14 gauge mild steel today. Took a little longer than I had hoped (about one hour, 15 min.), but that included a little experimentation and fussing about with the process. All in all, I was satisfied with the result. I'll be posting a pic as soon as I can (haven't mad...

Otto

I know this has no real bearing.... but I wonder what the same helm would have looked like after an identical test using a two handed blow from a heavy mace?

Brass strip crossing eyeslot

Early Armour

Welding Stainless

Otto Auctions

Otto's Armoury Site/small changes

Cheap Forge?

Greathelm/pics comments?

Sinric's Greathelm

Shield Boss (pics)