The Armour Archive

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Play that way occasionally - it's a rush!

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Let me know when you're taking orders

Mike Garrett (Orc)

That'd be cool, Russ, Cheers.
Email below

EDIT - Ha! no it isn't! Here it is - mr.orc@thewarriorsgateway.com [/url]

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Russ - I'd appreciate pics - if you didn't mind - of your maces, or the original design - can't find pics anywhere.

Mike Garrett (Orc)

http://www.samarkandia.com/en/produit-2_41.php

How about this nice little equaliser?

Mike Garrett (Orc)

I want one for combat, but as funds are not wonderful at the moment, and I kinda want to get other kit sorted first, I may adapt this one for show and make a mace for melee (if'n I can find a picture of one ). I gotta get lamellar, helm and bow so sword may have to wait. What were their spears like ...

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Oddly enough, while musing over this my eye fell upon the pile of crud that has formed an autonomous collective near the PC. In it was this object, that had slipped my mind..... (Now, it's Indian, plated blade - but that's easily removed - partial tang - not a welded rat-tail, about 4mm thick on the...

Mike Garrett (Orc)

http://www.therionarms.com/antiques/com177.html

This is also interesting.

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Something like this say.......
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6512186021&fromMakeTrack=true

Steel is right, blade looks about the rightshape too.

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Kinda what I figured - clutching at cheap straws I guess! Now, Gregory pointed me towards two swords. Anyone point me in the direction of affordable sabres (combat worthy) even if they have to be re hilted. Most of the Re-enactment merchants here sell BCW or earlier stuff. Time to check ebay again!

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Irish said -

"Conan the barbarians".

Drat! Irish, are you shattering my illusions and saying that Conan wasn't a historical figure?

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Osprey Byzantine book won and hopefully on the way. Atilla and the hordes book still running - should win that. Lady Wife starting to do Marge Simpson "Hmmm!" at suspected expense of new kit ( ) So will probably end up making most of my own stuff (helmet will have to be a least part bought - anyone ...

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Padded undergarments would help prevent damage if plate was pierced, surely? I'm thinking bec de corbin and similar, which would also leave sharp, inwardly projecting metal, as well as initial damage.

Mike Garrett (Orc)

I'm disappointed. The thread title gave me visions of highly protective shorts, or for the ladies, bra & panties. Sorry for this brief interlude - I'll go now!

(Mind you - interesting thread all the same)

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Russ - know of any suppliers? (re-enactment grade)

Mike Garrett (Orc)

So I'd be looking for a sabre such as the paramerion on this page?
http://www.levantia.com.au/military/weapons.html

Hi Dave! (Proper name - Vlad Tepes, pron Tepesh)

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Yep - love it. Broke my long bow though. Always had a hankering for one of those nomad composite bows. What about melee weaponry for a Pecheneg?

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Nice pics - nice info. Thanks guys
Trouble (for me) is that there are already a fair few Varangians in the group as a whole. Me wanna be DIFFERENT!

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Russ - that would be great - cheers!

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Ok Russ - tell me more!
Thanks for the pointers Irish!

Mike Garrett (Orc)

I think I've pretty much decided to go with the Byzantine heavy infantry type. I'd like to to a Kataphraktos but heavy calvalry on foot (have no horse and no chance of getting one in the near future ) seems a little odd. Helm advice is pretty important now. I've go a bid on the book mentioned above,...

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Very nice job!

Gregory said

I've currently got three Cold War era helmets lying around to be made into "Orc"..........

Eeek!

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Like it - kudos!
How much?

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Big mega-flail (agricultural). Not a mace but definitely concussion and two-handed - also nastier

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Maria - pic source?

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Yes - thank you. I've got my eye on the Osprey book Byzantine Armies 886 - 1118, on ebay, which should help I feel. Since I'm re-enactment, not SCA, a closed helm is not a problem, I can go with an open one. Also, since I have my mail hauberk, I have a hankering to stick leather lamellar on top - do...

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Hey Giano - that was great - thanks.
Not heard of Akrites - anymore details?

Mike Garrett (Orc)

After a couple of hours dedicated searching I haven't managed to come up with any costume/armour pics for Bulgars, or indeed Avars. What I'd really like would be a Steppe Horse archer type of persona - but no horse, so it would be a trifle silly! However - any infantry style relating to that sort of...

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Cheers,
Interesting. Have to find some pic, if I can.

Hal - I used to do a Templar persona (still do sometimes , depends on show. Hey, did any of the Saracens of or people the crusaders fought against wear mail? I know a lot of them were fairly light armoured.

Mike Garrett (Orc)

hmmmm...........tell me more!

Mike Garrett (Orc)

I was thinking more Slavonic/Magyar/Daco-Roman (not sure if last is in my time frame) Possibly first bulgarian empire.
5th Romano-brit is cool, but not different enough.
Gimme pics!!

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Looking for a change in persona, mainly as an excuse to be a bit different and get some spiffy new gear together! Period - anything between 400 and 1100 AD Currently running a standard Viking portrayal. Want something different. Have had a few ideas but can't find decent pictures. So - who can help,...

Mike Garrett (Orc)

I Like it - nice.
If you put it on ebay put LARP in the title - good for a fair few extra bucks!

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Got pattern, style, size?
I could cut you a Kussnach or Magdeburg style. What weight/thickness leather you want? (also colour etc)

Mike Garrett (Orc)

Cheers; just remembered I've got a book called Barbarians, can't remember author. It covers that period also.

Persona/portrayal suggestions.....