The Armour Archive

CLANG

Double, double, toil and trouble... I'm part of the stir here, it seems. I'm glad that several folks here like the hats that I make, but there are lots of capable armorers out there. Adam, as you say about my early Roman helmets, I can say the same for your SCA kettle-helms. I've never built one bec...

CLANG

Thanks for the compliments, folks.

The eyebrows are attached with countersunk rivets, reasonably well-hidden. I've considered embossing them like the real ones, but the work involved in doing them in a 12 ga top would inflate the price a bit, so I chose a compromise.

And incedentally, bump.

CLANG

It's been several years since we ordered from them, but Inter-Mares Trading Co in NY gave top notch rattan, and top-notch service with reasonable prices and shipping:

http://www.canefish.com/rattan.html

They have lots of sizes and pre-skinned stuff too.

CLANG

Here's a 3/4 pic. Also, forgot to mention that this helmet type dates to the late 1st/early 2nd C AD.

CLANG

I posted the prototype of this helmet a couple of months ago: m This version is a little bit simpler. It lacks the embossing on the cheekplates and the back of the skull, and the crest attachments, and it's not quite as shiny. After building the proto, I decided to turn the flanges on the brass ear-...

CLANG

It all depends on what shape you're trying for, and where on a plate it is located, but a Whitney can nibble out shapes very quickly-and you don't have to worry about snagging the flutes of a drillbit on over-lapped holes and having the bit fly into splinters.

CLANG

I've actually seen quite a few mechanical planishing hammers. Some of them are very ingenious, some are (IMO) much over-thought, and some can definitely be made without machining (though it can make life a lot simpler). Jerry Allen re-invented the wheel by "inventing" a simple design for a...

CLANG

How 'bout just hole-sawing them from 1/8" or similar stock? Then you'd have a center hole to start with, too. If you lack the facilities (not mental), I could whip a couple out for you. If you're interested, please email, as I don't check my PM's here very often.

CLANG

If you can use "rich low brass", also called "red brass", Thunderbird Supply is the shiz-met. I've dealt with them several times, and have had no trouble whatsoever. Fast, friendly service, easy ordering, and metal is clean, flat, and cut straight-something I haven't always gotte...

CLANG

Matthew, I have an SCA version of a very similar helmet about half finished. However, as Sasha_Khan says, it's not generally considered a "late Roman" helmet. The one I based mine on dates to the late 1st/early 2nd C AD. Price will be around $550, I think. Email me if you're interested.

CLANG

I have a 1 qt size one in black in stock currently, if you're interested. It's just like the "medium kestrel" shown here, except it's black: m I'll include Priority US s/h in the price if you'd like to buy it. It's lined with pine brewer's pitch and the outside has a nice heavy coat of wax...

CLANG

Not mine-just surfing for the group.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MEDIEVAL-KNIGHT-ARM ... 0072557108

CLANG

If you're a relatively skinny guy, I've got a pair that I can finish out for you, though they're mild steel. They fit me well. I'm 5-11 and 165 lbs. Shoot me an email if you'd like to discuss it and/or get pics.

CLANG

No problem, Hal.

The stuff I use on helmets with brass is a silicone spray with teflon, made by DuPont. Comes in an orange/red spray can.

CLANG

Over the years, I've posted praise for my Makita JS3200 several times. For most applications, I find it far superior to Beverly, though she certainly has her uses too. Forget the jigsaw. I'll grant right off that an electric shear takes some getting used to, especially if you're already used to anot...

CLANG

Cet is the man. I've ordered from him several times, never a hitch-everything arrives when he says it will and the parts are well-made. I use his blanks for most of my helmets.

CLANG

If you're interested, I have a small pair of half G's in stock. They are my regular ridged-cuff version, $65/pair. They can be seen here, 2nd pic down (click on thumb for larger pic):

http://clang.adkinssoftware.com/gaunt%2 ... %2001.html

The pair I have are about 3-5/8" across.

CLANG

This sale is brought to you by the letter A.

I think he really has a thing for them-his name starts with TWO of them, for Pete's sake! (Whoever Pete is...)

CLANG

Mine are fairly standard SCA, but I make them with side rings, and can make you one with curved quillons.

http://clang.adkinssoftware.com/in-stock%2001.html

CLANG

Hey, thanks for all the glowing comments, folks. I'm a little overwhelmed.

That said, this helmet has a new owner, who emailed me about 5 minutes after I posted it.

I hope she'll be happy with it.

CLANG

You'll be stone-dead in a minute. Thanks. Turns out you're the 2nd person to suggest that to me since I posted this. Apparently, the rapier crowd is in need of head-gear... We were discussing the possiblitiy of lopping off the top of a regulation mask and fitting the bottom to this helmet.

CLANG

It's a little high on your price scale at $250, but I've got a stainless "glancing top" greathelm that could use a good home. It has a $15 chinstrap installed in it already, but I'll make that a freebie if you want to buy it. You can see one exactly like it at the top of this page (click t...

CLANG

Couple more pics:

CLANG

The 14th C group I belong to did a presentation at the local state museum when they hosted a travelling exhibit of A&A from Higgins. I remember working on this helmet then. I looked for the numbers-it was 4 YEARS AGO!! Since then, it's components have been collecting rust and dust in a neglected...

CLANG

Forgot to mention that this pattern dates to the late 1st C to early 2nd C AD.

Couple of shots of the back:

CLANG

I've been wanting to re-vamp my SCA Roman helmet for a long time, and finally did. I decided to model it on Robinson's Gallic J because the shape lent itself reasonably well to rattan fighting. This helmet is mild steel and has a 12 gauge top with the remainder being 14 ga. It's sized for a 23"...

CLANG

I looked through what I've got in stock, and I think I can part with a pair of SS elbow cops and a couple of 16 ga cup-hilts for you guys (I make these in 14 ga now, but the 16 should hold up well for a while at least). Should be able to get them into a flat-rate box.

CLANG

This probaby belongs in OT, but you guys will love it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdd0edT-BeE

CLANG

James, I dunno what hob-nobbers might call them, but they're usually referred to as welts. You can see them quite clearly on some original bottles I've seen, and I decided to use them when I make repros. You can see them here if you like:

http://clang.adkinssoftware.com/canteen ... %2001.html

Click thumbs for more/larger pics, of course.

CLANG

Eh, we're all victims of pop culture, politics, and religion. Who knew? Besides, there were no rains of frogs 50 posts ago, either...

Say, is that a good look for me?

CLANG

I just made my 666th post! For the 2nd time, as it turns out, due to the big... displacement of data. No demons or rains of toads have yet made an appearance, but I'll keep you informed. "Were they Wicked, or were they... EEEvil?" -Benny Hill "Dude, it's just a number." -CLANG, u...

CLANG

Back when I armored for a hobby and sold stuff intermittently, I sent a few "gifts" to Canada. However, since I went full-time, I ship quite few international packages. While I honestly feel for the guy/gal on the other end of the line who may get nailed with customs and import tariffs, it...

CLANG

Galfrid, did you anneal the posts before you installed them? The posts Horton supplies are fairly brittle, a little so even after annealing. However, I've used them on quite a few helmets, and I've never had anyone come back and tell me of a broken vervelle. There's also the possiblity that the post...

CLANG

I also have a couple of styles of leather gorgets in stock, in the $35-$50 range. However, how can you turn down a freebie?

CLANG

Thanks for the comments, guys. Several years back, when I made the first prototype of this helmet (it's evolved quite a bit), I very loosely based it on several period pieces and artwork. I think the undivided eyeslot was inspired by Nicholas Hauberk's greathelm, though that one has a protruding low...

Another Roman hat for sale-Gallic J "Slightly Simplifie

AAMK on ebay-decent price

Lobster-tail pot helmet for sale-for LH (not SCA legal)

New pattern SCA Roman "Gallic J" helmet for sale

MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!