Qusetion re: Gorgets

Fafrnugn · Post by **Fafrnugn** » Sun Apr 21, 2002 11:52 pm

I've been wearing the same gorget for almost 14 years now and it's time to retire ye aulde rust magnet. I thought I might take the opportunity to try a new style of gorget so I put this question to the Archive, "Whattya think of this"? Looks comfortable enough but seems a little low in front. I'm a real wuss-bag when it come to protecting my neck and I'm thinking somewhere greater than a dog-collar but less than a bevor is the right neigbourhood. Any suggestions or true tales of terror?

<font color=blue>JT edit -- Fixed the HTML... missing close-quote</font>

[This message has been edited by JT (edited 04-22-2002).]

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 12:58 am

Sure, go ahead.

Be warned, I have no idea what your old style of gorget is.

jgalak · Post by **jgalak** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 7:23 am

The original post had a malformed link that made it impossible to read the whole thing. Here's what it was supposed to say:

14 years now and it's time to retire ye aulde rust magnet. I thought I might take the opportunity to try a new style of gorget so I put this question to the Archive, "Whattya think of this"? Looks comfortable enough but seems a little low in front. I'm a real wuss-bag when it come to protecting my neck and I'm thinking somewhere greater than a dog-collar but less than a bevor is the right neigbourhood. Any suggestions or true tales of terror?

Fafrnugn · Post by **Fafrnugn** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 8:07 am

Thanks jgata, I should probably proof-read those late night posts. It beggars the imagination that I should write a bad piece of code... ;P

Alcyoneus; I don't have any pix of the old gorget, I didn't think it relevant as I'm looking for something new. The old gorget is of a type that was very common in the late 80's but not so much now. For reference, it's somewhat bigger than a dog collar with a hinge on one side and a rivet/buckle on the other. It rests on the traps/collar bones and collects rusts like the government was about to ban it.

wcallen · Post by **wcallen** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 9:44 am

I shouldn't say this but....

What period is your armour? That will affect what you should wear with it.

Wade

Fafrnugn · Post by **Fafrnugn** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 10:14 am

15thC French(lots of lovely fluting). I'm not so concerned with the appearence as I wear an aventail but as I meantioned, I'm a big wuss-bag when it comes to protecting my neck and want something comfortable yet robust.

Tom Knighton · Post by **Tom Knighton** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 11:39 am

if you just want comfy...check out Massa G's gorgets at www.hammeredsteel.com/gaa

they are the most comfortable and safe gorget's I've ever seen.

Bran

MarkH · Post by **MarkH** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 12:09 pm

That is an Ashcraft-Baker product. You can go to their website and get that exact gorget, unpolished, for thirty five bucks. I ordered some elbows from them a while back, and the customer service was actually pretty good.
www.ashcraftbaker.com

[This message has been edited by markH (edited 04-22-2002).]

Xanthier · Post by **Xanthier** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 12:34 pm

I'll second Bran's suggestion. Massa G has always been great to deal with whenever I needed anything.

Xanthier · Post by **Xanthier** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 1:10 pm

On another note.. If it is Ashcraft.. Be a bit carefull.. I've heard some bad things about anything articulated from him.

He's a nice guy and his helms are great for what they are (spun domes). I just don't know if I'd trust my neck to one of his gorgets.

wcallen · Post by **wcallen** » Mon Apr 22, 2002 4:51 pm

15th cent french....

Hmm. Not enough detail, but ....

Mail standard (with padding)?
bevor (for your salad)?
mail hanging from your armet?
bottom plates on your great-bascinet?

Less provably period, but possible...
Brigantine gorget?

Or one of the suggested ones if you just want some protection and will be covering it up anyway. It always amazes me how sloppy the 15th c. guys really were about covering their neck. Maybe mail and stop-ribs and rolls are really enough against real weapons.

This can be an area where you just have to compromise to keep the marshals happy.

Wade

Post by JT » Mon Apr 22, 2002 5:04 pm

Just to throw some confusion on the "is it Ashcraft" pile...

The eBay auction claims stainless. Ashcraft's FAQ says they use cold-rolled steel.

The image is damned close to identical. Any differences appear to be due to photo alteration (sizing, compressing) and not indicative of an actual difference.

I have to wonder whether Ashcraft-Baker is aware of the apparent use of their pattern and image (or is it actual misrepresentation by the seller, and it's not really stainless?)

-- jt --

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Update: I e-mailed Ashcraft-Baker, and Kelly responded to me. The eBay retailer is a sales rep for them, and everything's hunky dory. (Ashcraft does do work in stainless.) I guess I'm just paranoid.
-- jt --
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[This message has been edited by JT (edited 04-24-2002).]