The Armour Archive

Cat

This has been sold, but I may make another one fairly soon if anyone's interested. This is a prototype pouch I made based on a find in the Novgorod museum. The thing is, I don't have a date for it. I found the pic online on an archaeologist's website and he didn't have a date listed. I contacted him...

Cat

Well, I tell ya, it would be alot easier to be my own critic if I had actually handled a real piece. I have not had the opportunity to do so, and likely won't since I don't think there's any near me. If I could just look at one close up, then I would have a MUCH better idea of how my versions compar...

Cat

Ok - quick recap here: If I shorten the length of the straps and change them to goat skin, this pouch should be acceptable, right? If not, what else do I need to do?

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That's a good thing.

I figure I can't compete with the people who have been doing leather work for years and years, so doing something different at least gives me a chance.

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"What needs to happen is more reproduction of the wider range of items that we do not generally see. That's kind of what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to find pouches that I personally haven't seen much of. Are there alot of this style pouch? I don't go to events or anything, so I just go by wh...

Cat

Hey guys, I've been wanting to try making this pouch, but I have no date for it. (doesn't do me much good without a date) I contacted the guy who put together the site (he's an archaeologist), but he was "in the field" at the time and was going to get back to me within a few days. I haven'...

Cat

This was listed as a money changer's purse on Karen Larsdatter's site, although it doesn't quite fit the description of a money changer's purse cited from (I believe)Purses In Pieces.

The museum link is here: http://www.kikirpa.be/www2/cgi-bin/wwwo ... %250=97015

It doesn't appear to mention anything about it being a money changer's purse.

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Aaron, The stuff I have is pretty stretchy. It's also really thin at 2/3 ounce. The stuff I have is kidskin (which I'm assuming is....dare I say it.... baby goat) and the skins are pretty small. I can get about 1.5 pouches out of it using the patern above. Other than that, I'm not sure what to tell ...

Cat

Thanks for the responses! This is very helpful. I can certainly use goat for the straps - that should be no problem. The bottom of the pouch...well, I can try a few things to see if I can get it to look more like the original (with the little bump there in the bottom/center), but anything I would tr...

Cat

What about using the veg tan instead of goat for the straps? Would that be acceptable? I don't know how much weight would have been carried in a pouch like this, but modern things like a camera or a bundle of car keys might put too much weight on a goatskin strap. Would that be an acceptable substit...

Cat

Yes, the straps are a bit long. They could be easily modified by removing the stitching, cutting them shorter, then re sewing. On future pouches, I will make them shorter. It makes more sense to have them shorter as well since it would keep them closer to the belt line. The straps do appear to be ma...

Cat

I've got my face shield on......

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You know, that's entirely possible. I was thinking along the same lines, but thinking there should be seams up from the points as well (like the pouch was made from 4 pieces). It's possible that only the bottom has 4 seams. Thanks for the suggestion! I will make a mock up and see how that turns out!...

Cat

If you're talking about that bump there in the center/bottom of the main pouch, I don't know what that is. I kept looking at it and couldn't figure out how it got to be that way. It almost seems like there should be a seam running up the pouch from that point, but there isn't one. Unfortunatley, thi...

Cat

LOL! Thanks.

Ok, you guys heard it - if you say your group wouldn't accept this, just know that you may be responsible fo making Magnus' head explode...which would be rather gross....

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A pic of the original...

Any tips on how to make this more accurate would be greatly appreicated!

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I just finished this pouch, and was wondering if you guys think this would be acceptable for strict-ish LH requirements. (no one group specifically, just in general) This pouch is based off of a 14th century money changer's pouch, and is made from 2/3 ounce kidskin and 4/5 ounce veg tan. It's hand s...

Cat

Thanks Donasian! I'm really glad to hear it's working out for you!

Danny, PM responded to...thanks!

Wulfgar, this is sold/pending...if he decides he doesn't want it, I will get back with you.

Thanks guys!
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It IS nice stuff. I'm really hoping it's as durable as I've heard. I heard the only other leather that's stronger is kangaroo, but since it's 2/3 ounce, I want to have it put through it's paces to see how it does. It would work really well for light things like a pack of cigs/lighter, cash, etc but ...

Cat

Here's a pic of the original. I will try to get better pics outside tomorrow afternoon. The leather really is pretty. It has a nice grain and the color is nice as well.

Thanks for looking,
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SOLD - Thanks! I've been wanting to try some thinner leather so that my pouches look more like the originals. I just bought some goatskin since it seems it's historically accurate, and decided to make a pouch to test it out. Here's the specs: Early 14th century pouch. 2 to 3 ounce kidskin with 4/5 o...

Cat

Thanks for the links guys! Yes, those finger loop braids (the flat ones) look VERY much like what I think I was seeing on the pouch. That twill tape looks like it might be a good solution if I can't find/afford commercially made pieces. What do you guys think? As for the buttons, I was given this li...

Cat

Ya know, I'm wondering if I'm wrong about the thickness measurement. I couldn't find my gauge checker thingie, so I used a ruler. This helm seems too heavy and sturdy to me to be that thin of a gauge. It weighs a bit over 6 pounds - do you think that would be consistent with 18/19 gauge? It really d...

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more pics..

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EDIT: I dropped the price to $30 plus shipping or suitable trade. Willing to negotiate as I would just like to move this out of my closet. I got this helm in trade about 4 years ago, and it has been sitting in my closet ever since. Since I don't have a use for it, I have decided to sell it. The stee...

Cat

Looking at some pics of extant pouches, it seems like some of the drawstrings are woven or braided. I have no idea what they would have been made of (wool maybe?) but I remember one looking alot like a modern flat shoelace. I'm guessing it may have been braided using several strands (like maybe 8?),...

Cat

Thanks for the links! Spotted pony and hide house both look real good. I've got a catalog and samples coming from spotted pony, and just need to see if hide house has samples. I think I have their catalog, but I don't recall it having pics of the hides. Thanks again! I was beginning to think I was d...

Cat

Well, now that I have dumped most of my products and started on developing pouches, my elk supplier has dried up. I was able to get pretty nice elk skin from these guys at about $5 a square foot. Anybody have someone they can recommend? I'm looking for a permanent solution, not really looking for si...

Cat

Quick update on the goat - I ordered the sample pack from Hollanders to see how it holds up to stress on the stitching. If it holds up, I will probably get some..although NOT from Hollanders. Theirs is quite expensive, with some being around $23 a square foot. It sure is purdy though. If it works ou...

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double post

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I do plan on getting some goatskin to try, and if it works out, that will be available as well. I have some concerns about the durability of leather that thin, though. I think if it came down to it, people would choose slightly thicker but more durable leather over thin, accurate leather. I'm hoping...

Cat

This is another pouch style I will be offering when I open back up again. It's an early 14th century money changer's pouch, based off of a Dutch find. These will be available in elk or deerskin (elk shown). Hand stitched with waxed linen thread. Drawstrings and belt loop are veg tan. Price: Deerskin...

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Aaron T,
That site's GREAT! A really good resource.

Thanks for posting!
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Well, I had thought about using goat since I've seen some mention of it being used in period. In a perfect world, I would have period leather and be using period dyes. I figured getting some goatskin might get me that much closer.

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The elk I have is a bit darker on the inside, while the deer is a bit lighter. It's probably chrome tanned, but I will ask them the next time I talk to them. Also, is "brain tan style" (not actual brain tan, from what I gather) a good substitue for a medieval leather? They have some, but i...

FS: Novgorod pouch proto: SOLD - Thanks!

ANybody have a date for this pouch from Novgorod?

Would this pouch be acceptable for LH?

FS:proto goatskin pouch SOLD

FS/FT great helm Price drop $30 + ship

Looking for woven/braided strips & knopf buttons

looking for a reliable source of elk

Avail. soon -14th cent money changer's purse