partly finished gothic finger gauntlets(pics)

Stoffel · Post by **Stoffel** » Wed Jan 30, 2002 8:23 pm

These arent completely done, but they are getting there, and I doubt i will have time to upload more pics before I leave this weekend, so I figured I should do it now. I still need to take them to the wire wheel and sander to finish them up, but I dont have a buffer so they arent going to get too much prettier. I need to finish up the fingers on the right hand one(ran out of washers tonight) but the left hand one is complete minus putting a decent finish on it, sewing in a glove and glueing in the fur lining on the cuff. These are my first attempt at this kind of gauntlet, my first attempt at raising anything(which works surprisingly well), and my first attempt at making a hinge. Any comments or suggestions before A&S are appreciated, this will be my first A&S where I built something specifically to enter.(usually I put something in at the shire level, if I have something I built at the event).
http://someplacesomewhere.com/uploaded/Stoffel/gothicgauntback.JPG
http://someplacesomewhere.com/uploaded/Stoffel/gothicgauntside.JPG
http://someplacesomewhere.com/uploaded/Stoffel/gothicgaunttop.JPG
http://someplacesomewhere.com/uploaded/Stoffel/gothicgaunthinge.JPG
The pics make the finish on them look pretty crappy, but they are all fairly well polished right now(minus nicks and scratches). The pics make it look like there is still fire scale on them except for the cuff, but it is just shadow.

Otto von Teich · Post by **Otto von Teich** » Wed Jan 30, 2002 8:50 pm

Looking Very nice, doing a fine job!.....otto

Sasuke · Post by **Sasuke** » Wed Jan 30, 2002 9:22 pm

They look very nice. I like the look of them. I really like the hinge. Very nice roll as well.
One question. Why are the articulation rivets so high up the sides? I would think it would work better with them down where you have the cuff rivets. Can you get much articulation with them?
Great job.
Sasuke

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www.oaksarmoury.com

Stoffel · Post by **Stoffel** » Wed Jan 30, 2002 9:57 pm

I got the idea for the wrist articulation from the half gauntlets I make. I punch holes a little bigger than the rivets themselves, and when I peen the rivet, I dont do it very tight, just enough to cap it off so it doesnt pull back through the hold. It gives just enough articulation to give free movement back and forth, but stops before you over extend your wrist(I seem to have problems with hurting my wrist, especially considering I have no feeling in my last two fingers on my right hand). However, this doesnt really work unless you can fit the gauntlet exactly to the hand that will be wearing it. You end up with the rivets jabbing you in the back of the hand when you get hit. With these gauntlets, they ride right above the curve of my wrist so theres no problem. With a regular sca half gauntlet, I can get about 90 degrees of downward turn in the wrist, and a bit less upward turn.

Armourkris · Post by **Armourkris** » Wed Jan 30, 2002 10:34 pm

mmm finger gauntlets.....
how i would LOVE a pair of those, time to buy some leather and start experimenting i guess....

but ya, those are BEAUTIFUL
what did you raise teh gadling over? it;s scarry, and i really like that.

Kris

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What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:

Stoffel · Post by **Stoffel** » Thu Jan 31, 2002 8:48 am

hehe, thanks. the gadlings where dished into an impresion in my lead block until they were shaped into a knuckle form, then I used the horn of my anvil to raise them up some. After that, I used some tools that I made out of barstock to finish raising and sharpening them up. oh, and I used a small planishing hammer to raise the, as its the only thing I could find that could get between the knuckles very well.

Vladimir · Post by **Vladimir** » Thu Jan 31, 2002 9:34 am

I really like the look of those. Nice work.

Drake Orion · Post by **Drake Orion** » Thu Jan 31, 2002 9:43 am

Your rivit articulation you just described sounds like "sloppy" articulation. It looks like you have the plates lined up fine I would say that "shell" articulation would make much more sense and be safer. Just thought I would say it before Gundo.

Stoffel · Post by **Stoffel** » Thu Jan 31, 2002 11:56 am

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Your rivit articulation you just described sounds like "sloppy" articulation. It looks like you have the plates lined up fine I would say that "shell" articulation would make much more sense and be safer. Just thought I would say it before Gundo.</font>

yep, thats what it is. I guess I used that type because its the only type I've really seen on gauntlets that I have been able to handle. I just assumed it was the norm. Thanks for the tip, I will remember that next time I make a pair.

Prince Of Darkmoor · Post by **Prince Of Darkmoor** » Thu Jan 31, 2002 1:16 pm

Very cool. I'm really starting to appreciate finger gauntlets more.

wcallen · Post by **wcallen** » Thu Jan 31, 2002 9:58 pm

I would agree with a couple of the comments about the articulation. The rivets really should be down near the edge of the plates in the little extensions at the edge of the plates.

If the plates are shaped correctly, they will articulate smoothly and the gauntlet will droop forward of flat (it looks like you dished all of the plates like they should be), and when you bend the hand back they will flow over each other smoothly.

The one slightly later piece I have (c. 1500 part of a gauntlet) has sliding rivets at all of the articulations. Mine is a mitten so the sliding rivets are on the 1/2 remaining hand plate and all of the finger plates). This allows some side-to-side flex of the hand in addition to the up and down the normal articulation gives. I have seen the same in 15th c. german gauntlets.

You do seem to have gotten the detail that most people miss - the plates are dished to allow them to move correctly.

Wade