The Armour Archive

Tibbie Croser

Ah, yes, I forgot that the face in the pictured helmet is made of fencing-mask mesh, not perf plate.

Saritor, are you hoping to use the same type of mesh that's used in fencing masks or a stronger type of mesh? How would the mesh compare in strength to perf plate?

Tibbie Croser

Regarding the rapier helm posted above, I have a question. Why does the face portion have a sharp point? Does this line up with the nose or with the chin when the helmet is worn? I'm curious because I've seen this sort of point on the perf facemasks of other rapier helms. I'm also wondering if it's...

Tibbie Croser

A separate organization focused on 1500 to 1700 could be a lot of fun. Maybe someone could develop Airsoft-type versions of muskets and pistols? Rubber-headed pikes?

Tibbie Croser

Perhaps you'd have better luck selling it on eBay as fantasy armor? I'm being serious. Someone playing a fantasy character in a LARP or boffer game would genuinely appreciate the armor for its looks and craftsmanship. In other words, they're more likely to pay you a good price.

Tibbie Croser

Regarding the rapier helm posted above, I have a question. Why does the face portion have a sharp point? Does this line up with the nose or with the chin when the helmet is worn? I'm curious because I've seen this sort of point on the perf facemasks of other rapier helms. I'm also wondering if it's ...

Tibbie Croser

John Hawkins and Francis Drake were certainly pirates from the Spanish point of view.

The Barbary corsair thing sounds cool. It would look exotic and colorful.

Tibbie Croser

Also try SwordForum, specifically the Historic European Swordsmanship forum. They may know of a group out your way.

Tibbie Croser

Thanks for replying, Kevin. Yes, I remembered the half-hood idea from old posts of yours about your rapier helmet.

Did you have a chance to read this whole thread? I think you can answer CaptMax's questions and concerns far better than I can.

Tibbie Croser

CaptMax, I have some thoughts about dealing with gaps between a sidesword helm and a gorget. Would wearing a fencing hood under the helm take care of the problem? If a blade tip gets into the gap, it would then meet puncture-resistant cloth, not skin. A quilted, padded hood could also meet the requi...

Tibbie Croser

As far as spacing on perf plate, I asked my kingdom rapier marshal whether spacing between holes (offset) could be *less* than 3/16" under certain circumstances. My kingdom marshal has contacted the Soceity Rapier Marshal for a clarification. I'm holding off on ordering a C&T helm myself un...

Tibbie Croser

Regarding stallions, Drey, who posted above, has a well-behaved Haflinger stallion.

Tibbie Croser

Regarding the problem of neck coverage, a common solution seems to be a custom gorget that goes well up the neck and fits snugly under the helm. Burgonets seem to be the most popular design for sidesword helms because they fit the period and cover the back and sides of the neck. They still need to b...

Tibbie Croser

CaptMax, where do you live? That would help in referring you to armorers in your area. You may also want to post your question again in a couple of weeks. Many of the armorers and many other people who could advise you are away at Pennsic right now. Meanwhile, search the forums for "rapier,&quo...

Tibbie Croser

I don't think this particular forum has a moderator. You'll have to contact JT, the site administrator, directly. CaptMax, I'm sorry for derailing your thread. However, many of us here are very, very bad about staying on topic. The Armour Archive also has minimal moderation. As an alternative to del...

Tibbie Croser

Leo, Dilan, anyone else who wants to know about the context of historical manuals: Read "The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe" by Dr. Sydney Anglo. A fascinating survey of manuals and who wrote them and why. I recently re-read my copy. The book also covers the "certification" o...

Tibbie Croser

Irish, any pictures of the burgonet or idea of price? I have a 22.5" circumference head. How much does the helm weigh? Do you have pictures of the correctly-sized one that was made for you?

Tibbie Croser

Excellent work! It looks like the multilayer soles should provide good protection against rocks and should hold up well on paved surfaces. James, if you're open to commissions, I'm interested in commissioning some early 16th-century ankle boots (basic peasant footwear). There's a simple pair in the ...

Tibbie Croser

I sometimes get the impression on the AA that some Scadians are embarrassed or scornful when someone picks a fantasy game or LARP over SCA. Try to remember that the SCA isn't for everyone. Some folks might really have their heart set on being an elven archer from the Second Age of Middle Earth rathe...

Tibbie Croser

This is a cross-post from the Armour forum. I hope to commission a burgonet for rapier and Cut and Thrust. I'd like to balance weight, dent resistance, and cost. Two things to note: fencing helms do not have to be nearly as heavy as helms for rattan, and most of the blows are landing on the face. Wh...

Tibbie Croser

It may not have been clear in my post, but I'd be choosing stainless for the faceplate for strength rather than concerns about rust. I'd be happy with mild steel painted black, but I'm concerned about having to use 16 or even 14 gauge perforated to compensate for the loss of strength caused by the p...

Tibbie Croser

I'd like advice from the armorers here about choosing steel for a rapier/sidesword helm I want to commission soon. It's going to be a burgonet with perforated plate for the face. I'd like to balance dent resistance, cost, and weight. Since this is a fencing helm, it doesn't have to be heavy like a h...

Tibbie Croser

I think jerkins with the split side out can be documented to at least the 1540s. Some of the Mary Rose jerkins have the split side on the outside, as detailed in the book Before the Mast.

Tibbie Croser

Andreas, the woven hosen were cut on the bias (at a 45-degree angle to the direction of the weave) to make them stretchy. This works better with wool than with linen.

Tibbie Croser

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thoog/collections/72157600297115550/ Hope the above link works. If not, go to Flickr and search on "Thoog" and "armoury." The collection includes excellent, detailed, close-up photos of armor from American museums, including the Met, the Higgins, the...

Tibbie Croser

A lot of people our age (mid to late 40s) aren't interested or able to start a new heavy duty physical activity. Don't altogether discount people over 30 or 35. I started Dagorhir (foam-padded weapons) at age 37 and SCA rapier at age 40 (last year). I never did contact sports or martial arts previo...

Tibbie Croser

It appears that "Weapons of Warre" (armaments, weapons, and armor recovered from the Mary Rose wreck) is finally available, for $100. Has anyone seen it yet? Any opinions or reviews? How much is there on edged weapons and armor?

Tibbie Croser

For the original poster, if you don't want to use raw cotton for the stuffing (James B., how do you keep the cotton fibers and dust from getting everywhere?), try all-cotton quilt batting. Hancock Fabrics has the Sew-Perfect brand of cotton batting, which is like thick cotton flannel. I've also seen...

Tibbie Croser

WinterTree, would you say that a blade that's SCA legal for both rapier and sidesword (Cut and Thrust) should *not* be used for Cut and Thrust? In other words, it's better to buy a blade that's legal *only* for Cut and Thrust? Since Cut and Thrust is still not that widespread in the SCA compared to ...

Tibbie Croser

I strongly advise rigid protection over anyplace where bone runs close to skin. There will those who argue that increased armouring will increase blow force; my argument to that is, 1 - you can still feel it and 2 - there is plenty of body surface still exposed, enough to keep you honest. Baron A, ...

Tibbie Croser

How far down the chain of command does the current liability protection extend? I've seen "ad hoc" volunteers, often minors, waterbearing at events. As far as I know, in Atlantia volunteers can bear water off the field without having taken a class. Are they (or their parents, if they are m...

Tibbie Croser

I know what you mean about the pin attachment. One of the fencers I know has a spiffy helm from Darkwood Armory, but she has to screw her perforated faceplate to the peak with a pin.

Tibbie Croser

Thank you for your replies. AvM, that burgonet article from My Armoury is very valuable. I had wondered how far back the closed burgonet dated, and there's a picture there of a closed burgonet from ca. 1540. It clearly shows how the armet developed into the closed burgonet. The early closed burg has...

Tibbie Croser

In making an open-face burgonet legal for SCA rapier, how have armorers attached the perf plate face mask to the peak and the cheek plates?

Tibbie Croser

How do people finish the edges of perforated plate?

Tibbie Croser

I'm doing research for a rapier helm I want to commission. I know some helmets in the 16th century had interchangeable visors or buffes for tournament and field wear. How were the visors or buffes attached to the bowl of the helmet? (Fifteenth-century examples would be informative, too.)

Good type and gauge of steel for sidesword helm?

Choosing steel for a rapier helm?

Wonderful armor photo site on Flickr

"Weapons of Warre" (Mary Rose vol. 3): any reviews

Fencing helm question: fastening face mask to rest of helm?

Finishing the edges of perforated plate?

Fastenings for detachable visors?