The Armour Archive

Otto von Teich

I never thought of calibration as an issue. I try to avoid hitting light or unarmoured areas. Or at least pull the blows. I do think maybe they should up the armour standard a little to match the presumed armour standard. It wouldnt be that expensive to get a mail hauberk or padded gambeson. I see t...

Otto von Teich

Great Job Sasuke! Excellent work, the dog chamfron looks very well tailored to the face. I've always wanted a nice harness for my schauzer....hmm...maybe after I finish geting myself armoured up..ahhh....otto

Otto von Teich

I'd agree with Effingham on that one. Composed suits of 16th century european armor could be had for about $500 or less at the end of the war.Of course 500 bucks was worth alot more then than now.During the 1st world war a lot of armour was melted down for scrap iron. The helmet looks good to me. An...

Otto von Teich

Birmingham Alabama age 46 as of Saturday! Male 1470-80 England (W.O.R.)or Saxony 1390-1410 England or Saxony

Otto von Teich

Thanks Jeffery, take your time,I know good things come to those who wait! Good luck with the demolition and moving process,be carefull and DONT strain your hammer arm LOL..Otto

Otto von Teich

Hey Chuck, you said the book is new? Is it still available? The cost? Thanks in advance...Otto

Otto von Teich

Good to hear Brian, I got a set in the spring, havnt tried them out yet. Hoping to have everything ready to go by the 1st of the year. Still need to get an arming coat to point everything to. I used to use 16 gauge mild, with 14 gauge cops. It weighed a ton,was slow, uncomfortable,and still got smal...

Otto von Teich

Jeffery, I have a 47" chest and 39" waist,do you think the size large churburg breastplate will fit ok? or do I need to go with the custom sizing? Thanks, Otto

Otto von Teich

Saw the Sword in the Stone (Disney) when it first came out back in the 60's,made a big time impression on me. Next thing I knew I was hitting the library looking for books on King Arthur, armour,heraldry , castles ect. I remember reading Malorys Mort de Arthur when I was a wee lad. Like Jeffery, I w...

Otto von Teich

The earliest examples from seals seem to have been metal "fans" rivited to the top of the helm, often with a scalloped egde,and painted with the same design as the sheild.But because of the "whiplash" factor,I dont think I'd recomend that design in steel. Although maybe stiffened leather would look ...

Otto von Teich

I've made a couple,I think the best material is leather,make it hollow and stuff it with rags,tow,paper,ect. I think I've read of some period examples filled with sawdust,but I wouldnt recomend that, as if it should happen to split open,you wouldnt want to get it in your eyes.You can lace it to the ...

Otto von Teich

Oddly enough I can see things better at 6-10 feet than at 6 inches away. I guess thats just one of the benifits of entering the geezer stage of life.You made some good points Chef,I've studied armour off and on for nearly 40 years,and what I dont know would fill a warehouse.Most of the books I've re...

Otto von Teich

Hmmmm, most esential besides a helmet...a CUP! LOL.I must say I agree with Aidan, spaulders or pauldrons should be mandatory in my opinion, I wouldnt fight without them. And they are fairly easy to make,and cheap to buy.A very nice prize I think...Otto

Otto von Teich

I'm not an armourer(unless you count a eyesore of a helmet and a little mail), but I've got a pretty good eye for detail, and the one thing few armourers do well, is the greaves. Like someone else pointed out there is alot of very complex shaping to get them right. And I believe cad about the master...

Otto von Teich

Thats sweet, great lines and very crisp, clean roping........Otto

Otto von Teich

Wow, Great pics, Thanks for sharing them. I love the old harness, but the new one makes me giddy too! LOL. I do think your going to enjoy not haveing to beat the dents out. Have you seen a better rust resistance as well? I've noticed the spring seems much more rust resistant than mild. ..Otto

Otto von Teich

Lookin good, that Patrick is getting better and better....Otto

Otto von Teich

Ugo, are you any relation to Noah Serrano? He was a pipefitter I worked with many years ago.I think he died back in the mid to late 1980's He was a Heck of a guy! ...Otto

Otto von Teich

Thanks everyone, I'll get a subscription. Sounds pretty good for the money.At about $6 an issue,I dont think I can go wrong...Otto

Otto von Teich

How much was the subscription in US $? Do they take a credit card for payment? Thanks, Otto

Otto von Teich

Socks and sandals,Goths and Vandels...its all the same...What I want to know is if they used old socks to polish thier armour. I know I do! Surely its a period practice..Must be...otherwise I'd never do it....EVER!...Otto

Otto von Teich

Play nice kids, or you'll have to take "time out" and clean up your rooms. Bwaaahaahaa..Otto

Otto von Teich

The chanfon sure looks like the one he made a couple of years ago, after checking his website again.What a harness!..Otto

Otto von Teich

Thats simply awesome. Did Jeffery make the chamfron as well? Also, is he back home now? Thanks, Otto

Otto von Teich

I've only had problems with poorly fitted and contructed greaves. If well made and well fitted, they are comfortable and work well. I'd recomend period shoes as well for the sollerets or sabatons..Otto

Otto von Teich

Good points Vitus. good weight reduction on your harness. I'm getting very curious about this titanium armour.....Otto

Otto von Teich

That looks fantastic. The lamelar looks very well crafted,protective,and comfy. Shield's awesome. Shows what can be done with some effort and patience. The helm and the rest of the kit look great.Fine job!.Now all you need is a Teutonic knight to whack on.Otto

Otto von Teich

Wow, Thanks for the update Gwen,Sounds like he did quite well. Wish I could have been there to see it...Otto

Otto von Teich

So How did the tourney go? Jeffery ok? Give us a little update please. Thanks, Otto

Otto von Teich

Man, those are nice. Keep us posted as work progresses....Otto

Otto von Teich

I just use Johnsons Paste wax (for wood furniture).There are other Brands out there as well. The old curator of the Harding collection liked Butchers wax. I've heard of good results with car wax as well...Otto

Otto von Teich

Yea...anybody that steals or deliberatly breaks another persons equipment needs a good arse whuppin.Then yank the card.Then maybe some more arse whuppin..Otto

Otto von Teich

My old head to toe kit,mainly 16 and 14 gauge mild, was about 85 lbs, not including clothing, sword or shield. The new spring steel armour With mild helm,and COP,is about 45 total.Much better.Now If I can just get out and try it..Otto

Otto von Teich

This is facinating. I never realized there was anything but flatened riveted european mail with round rivits till I came to the archive. Now I'm hearing there are regonal differences. Mail has been greatly overlooked over the years.Its about time some serious study was done.I bet there is a large qu...

Otto von Teich

There was a show on the History channel or Discovery channel a while back about Robin Hood. I remember they said they thought they had it narrowed down to the original man, and that he was from Barnsdale or another town in the area.Both towns claimed him, and there was quite a rivalry. But the gener...