The Armour Archive

Johann ColdIron

I just found this thread and it's cheered me up no end on what otherwise is a pretty boring office day. You guys are too funny. I avoided the initial phase of p. 1 outrage, as Mac previously told me about this eBay business. I had no idea that the AA had declared war on this poor garbage peddler. H...

Johann ColdIron

Mac wrote: If you use fabric, take care to put the rivets through without cutting the threads. Use 1/8" rivets with small washers.

Mac

I have used a dull awl to spread the weave of tape like that when installing rivets. Helps prevent damage to the threads.

Johann ColdIron

This one is pretty atypical, though, and you would probably do best to ignore it. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/cb/04/53/cb0453a0e9b152556a0ceba1dcab1867.jpg This is more normal (although a cheap version). Note how the bulgyness is mostly about the front and back. A line up the out...

Johann ColdIron

Sir Johann This topic name "Ancient relic unearthed!" referring to armor in my lifetime, has left me in a quandary. The idea of mine and other older armorer's old armor being called ancient relics makes me feel older than dirt. Yeah, the title was a little inflammatory. :wink: Mainly because I was ...

Johann ColdIron

Actually, they were made for a lefty, which made making them easy, since I'm a lefty... We had a little boy last year, so that keeps me busy for all of my "spare" time, hence not much opportunity to lurk on AA. Interesting! Did you shape the R&L differently to work better with a shield in the defen...

Johann ColdIron

I'm going to ask the question that was asked of me when I started my spaulders. "Do you have the gorget and cuirass that they will go with built yet?" With this style of spaulder, the cuirass is probably less of a problem but I'm glad I held off on finishing my spaulders until I finished the other t...

Johann ColdIron

Wow, someone really liked piening rivets. Sorry to drag this OT, Johann, but who made the farrier anvil, and how's it work out for you? No sweat. It's a NC Anvil. "Short Sugar" http://www.centaurforge.com/NC-70-lb-Short-Sugar-Anvil-Eligible-for-Free-Shipping-See-Home-Page-for-full-details/productin...

Johann ColdIron

This was a somewhat nicer, and somewhat later one we made (still back in the mid 80's): http://home.earthlink.net/~paencalvus/Albums/Armor/thchourglassgauntlet2.jpg There are some other pictures of things we did around then here: http://home.earthlink.net/~paencalvus/Albums/Armor/index.html This wa...

Johann ColdIron

Yikes, that's a blast from the past! What shame one was stolen. Yes, I made those in the very early 80's. They were blackened with the nickel trim on the cuff. These were probably one of the 3rd or 4th pair of gauntlets that I'd made. I will try to dig up a photo of them in their original shape. He...

Johann ColdIron

I was waiting for you to chime in. :) Weird that Valentine would have the same stamp. The hearts make sense for him- "Valentine". I figured these were Valerius but I could not find an example of his stamp on the web or in a cursory search of your stuff. Here is the mark on the gaunts. They could hav...

Johann ColdIron

Roland Ansbacher wrote:Valentine Armories, early to mid 90s, maybe?

Good guess, though if the Heraldry on his site is similar to his stamp then I don't think so. Does his mark look like this?

If not, getting warmer. . .

Johann ColdIron

To make information easy to find. This thread: http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=157286 is the thread that documents a recreation of the gorget I referenced. There is a lot of detailed information there. Thanks to John who did the work..... Wade Wcallen friend, I will build...

Johann ColdIron

A friend brought by some armour on Shop Night to pass on to new folks. In the pile was an early finger gauntlet. Said to be the "First finger gauntlets in Atlantia" Only the left hand one is extant as the right got stolen soon after the pair were used on the field. Here are some pics. They should ri...

Johann ColdIron

:lol: I did hold off on the "no gloves" comment, but as a museum person that's driving me crazy. Pish... No gloves? I do it all the time. I get the feeling that other people have more acidic skin/sweat than I do, so I don't seem to cause harm quickly. I do use gloves when we have a whole group of p...

Johann ColdIron

Wow! I'll bet that snowblower is looking better and better. ..

Johann ColdIron

$15 on C

$30 on D

Johann ColdIron

A better ground can make for better welds. Dont know if it will improve the HF welders abilities but I don't see any reason why not to try it.

Johann ColdIron

Mac wrote:Here is a link to their latest armor offering. http://www.ebay.com/itm/161931276210 The mind boggles.

Mac

I don't know what pains me more- the construction of the pauldrons or the shape of the elbows... or the fact that they made 20 of them that way!

Johann ColdIron

$5 on C
And
$20 on D

Johann ColdIron

Looks good! I've always wanted to make an accurate pair of 16th century gloves.

Johann ColdIron

This place has an abominable site but I've done business with them in the past and been pleased. https://www.househandle.com/ I wasn't so pleased that I didn't start building my own shave horse, though. Nice link! Its hard to find a good handle in the stores these days. Local one told me they didn'...

Johann ColdIron

But he has a 98.3 % positive rating selling salvaged dive equipment. He would not lie and risk that!

Johann ColdIron

Might have to contact the maker to learn what they based it on. Lutel usually has some basis in their construction details. It's rare that pommels are squared off at the base. The corner is bound to be in the way in some ways of gripping the hilt. Usually they have the corners at least knocked off i...

Johann ColdIron

LL has pointed out some important things when looking at making a rapier with period techiques. It is more of a blacksmithing project and less armouring so thinking about how they would make these parts out of hot metal will inform the techniques used. Some can be made easier with modern equipment. ...

Johann ColdIron

I have enjoyed reading this thread and I think you all are really on to something. Perhaps someone should try this with a human powered wheel though. it would be really interesting to see if at the lower speeds of medieval power sources: 1) Are the results the same? 2) Is control easier or harder? ...

Johann ColdIron

Very cool. I have a couple bad saw blades and at least one of the concrete blades I used for cutting hard fire brick. I may have to give this a shot.

Can't ruin them any more than they already are!

Johann ColdIron

I'd often considered how steel seems closer to realism, but after pondering the potential severity of harm steel can cause, I don't know why anyone would want something heavier than SCA rattan. Myself and several others I know have been concussed. I blacked out on one occasion and still suffer occa...

Johann ColdIron

Meanwhile, though..... since the recent exposure on Redit, I have been answering an average of one request/day for the plans and kits they are sure I sell. I guess I need to make up a stock reply and leave it handy on the desktop. Mac It was reposted on Imgur (another photo sharing site) as well. M...

Johann ColdIron

If you want to be an SCA Knight then get out to a local practice with a sweat shirt/ pants. Bring a cup and any knee or elbow pads you have. Tell people you are there to learn. Listen to their instruction on how to throw effective blows and how to take them. Mouth shut and ears open. Be willing to p...

Johann ColdIron

Zubeydah wrote:I am *filled* with happy-puppy-wiggles. That's the only way to describe it.

Isn't this place great! It was a really nice gesture. Kudos to the conspirators!

Johann ColdIron

A cautionary tale for sure!

My shop used to be porous enough that it self ventilated but with insulation and drywall in I have the same concern. Using my Eric Thing style raising forge I had a very similar experience, though with less face planting...

I respect CO poisoning much more now!

Johann ColdIron

Here is the link to the Kenneth Lynch catalog https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_P1cjplazYgVGFRWEZYa3RRQmc THANKS a bunch for posting that! It's a great record of what was there at the sale. I have a few Lynch hammers that I bought second hand from those who got to that sale and bought stuff...oft...

Johann ColdIron

Trystyn of Anglesey wrote:Well now, why would a guy named ColdIron care about those?

"Hot Steele" was already taken...

X, is 380V 3-phase a normal voltage there or only industrial?

Johann ColdIron

WOOOOO! Nice score.

From the brick size behind them they appear to be a good size as well.

Unless those are metric bricks!

Last part is a joke...

Johann ColdIron

Any interest in some old Army web gear? I have a bunch of stuff I brought back from Okinawa. My dad was stationed there in the late 50's and we lived on post as dependents. Us kids used to scrounge the black markets and picked up some collectibles. I have web gear, packs, suspenders, tent, helmets,...

Re: They're at it again

Re: Fringed Rotellas/Targets - How was that fringe attached?

Re: The making of a 16th century spaulder (Drawing stage)

Re: Ancient relic unearthed!

Re: Ancient relic unearthed!

Re: The making of a 16th century spaulder (Drawing stage)

Re: Ancient relic unearthed!

Re: Ancient relic unearthed!

Re: Ancient relic unearthed!

Re: Ancient relic unearthed!

Re: Ancient relic unearthed!

Re: Gothic Armour

Ancient relic unearthed!

Re: 600 year old Italian Broadsword found

Re: Dusting off the cobwebs

Re: Hammer and dishing form Auction

Re: welder ground clamp from a salvaged jumper cable clamp?

Re: They're at it again

Re: Hammer and dishing form Auction

Re: New Book On Gloves and Mittens in the Netherlands to 170

Re: Hammer handles

Re: They're at it again

Re: Historical Accuracy of Lutel's German Cavalry Sword's Po

Re: schiavona sword project

Re: engraved / chiseled lines sidewise flutings

Re: engraved / chiseled lines sidewise flutings

Re: HEAVIER SCA combat :) ?

Re: Mac's new chest. More than meets the eye.

Re: Road to Knighthood- Jousting and Combat

Re: Smallish curved dagger- No longer for sale

Re: Reminder: Shop Ventilation is Important!!!

Re: Hammers and tools and things

Re: Score! (or; what do you think of these ovens?)

Re: Score! (or; what do you think of these ovens?)

Re: Old US Army WWII gear.