The Armour Archive

Note: this post is for Mac or anyone who has actually handled Helmschmied work.
I am currently working on a pattern for reproductions of Helmschnied gothic legs. I have excellent 360 degree photos of the Helmschmied harness for the archduke(thanks Master Geoffrey).
My question is, how are the rolls on the tops of the cuisses done? Are they a U channel (open at the back, unlikely), a semi square box, or do they have a nice smooth curve on the inside. Obviously the fluting is done first, I really just need to know how they are closed after the fluting is done.

James Gillespie has handled this armor.

Hey Master Mac-
There is a talented lady armourer in the NYC area- I can't remember her name. Why does her armour have that nifty grey look to it? It seems polished, but has no reflectiveness. It's just like dat white harness I sees in them museeums.
What's the deal? I like that look.
-V

Mac,

Thanks, I think a friend of mine has James' e-mail (or at least contact info). Thanks again.

Quote: "James Gillespie has handled this armor."

That is an understatement. James not only handled it, he dissasembled it, took pictures inside and out and found problems with the way it had been reassembled and with a few of the pieces (I think the greaves, it has been a while) appearing to belong to a different harness. Among other problems he found, was that the reason the couters look strange is that they were upside down. He can tell you some good stories about that suit. I think there was something odd about the gauntlets, I think the cuffs were reversed, but I'm not sure. He was like a kid in a candy store. They let him have tons of time with it for study.

This is one of my favorite suits and James made stainless german gothic finger gauntlets for me that are really great looking, perfectly fitted. They are similar to Sigusmund's but not quite as elaborate (I did not have an unlimited budget for piercings and file work).

After his trip he sent me copies of the pictures to scan for him, unfortunately my scanner was destroyed in a fire. He also sent me the copies with the understanding I would not reproduce them or send them out to others. But James is a great guy, I'm sure he would be happy to answer your questions.

He also makes armour very, very slowly and thoughtfully. Someone once likened it to watching salt accrete, but when he is done, the pieces are wonderful. I will never, ever, sell my gauntlets, they are too cool.

Actually, if I can find my copies, I might be able to answer your question about what it looks like, but I can't tell you how best to recreate them, James or Mac would be the best ones to ask.


[This message has been edited by Richard Blackmoore (edited 01-08-2001).]

I met James at Pennsic in '98. He was walking around carrying a gothic guantlet he had made (quite possibly yours Richard,nope couldn't have been the piercework was done)and I introduced myself. A very pleasant gentleman.

"JamesArlen" is a member here. And Ive seen a handful of mind blowing gothic harness detail pictures James took that he really must publish

.... so yeah he knows his gothic:

http://mysite.verizon.net/tulkaz/gothic.html


.

Am I the only one weirded out by a seven year and one month necropost?



Effingham

yeah I noticed that this morning.... well, think of it like ""medieval"" communication.

The short answer is, there is no roll at the tops of the cuisses. Go figure.

Durasteel Corporation wrote:yeah I noticed that this morning.... well, think of it like ""medieval"" communication.

LOL!

I can see that.


Effingham

Thanks James. As the pieces for the legs are *still* lying out in the shop, I may yet be able to put that information to use.

Kind of blew my mind seeing this thread.

So... That really is the correct date on the initial post?

yeah my screen prompted a 2001 page (inexplicably) and I replied to that post.

Call Ghosthunters, I dunno.

Have you guys seen William West's progress on the harness he is making for one of the Destrier guys.

http://www.englyshe-plate-armourie.co.uk/Images/Armour%20Images/GERMAN/HELMSCHMID%20SIGESMUND%20ARMOUR/index.htm

Tom

Just another fine example of someone who is WAY more talented than me.

Ingelri

Ingelri wrote:Just another fine example of someone who is WAY more talented than me.

Ingelri

Ingelri....nobody achives perfection overnight ! As far as I know Mac has been making armour for over 20 years...maybe pushing 30.

Ive been making it off and on for the better part of 17 years and Ive gone through periods of ridiculous self pitty and self doubt and periods of personal amazement (as in, damn I didnt think I could do that!). The key is to understand the techniques, study original armour details and try everything you can think of to make that shape work. Tinker, tinker, tinker. Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle. (And on a personal note Im only now reaching the point where Im understanding and appreciating the nuances and 'shaping' of the fully developed Black Prince type "white harness"--I had to learn to stop assuming things and keep asking myself questions, challenging myself.

This stuff aint easy but you cant take that kind of self pitty attitude!

Enrico di Venezia wrote:Have you guys seen William West's progress on the harness he is making for one of the Destrier guys.

http://www.englyshe-plate-armourie.co.uk/Images/Armour%20Images/GERMAN/HELMSCHMID%20SIGESMUND%20ARMOUR/index.htm

Tom

That is just gorgeous

Effingham wrote:Am I the only one weirded out by a seven year and one month necropost?

Effingham

What, you have never walked up to a friend you haven't seen and continued a conversation you started years before?

Its armorer's Alzheimer's desease. They can't remember what they had for lunch yesterday, but year old armor talk, they got a lock on.