Scale skirt, 15 century

[Filip]

Hello,

I recently saw the attached image, and wish very much to reproduce the scale skirt.

http://manuscriptminiatures.com/4696/13029/

It would appear to me that the scales have a visible central rivet, and may have been sewn onto a backing material. This is just speculation on my part, but I am under the impression that this armour would have been put together in a fashion similar to this:

http://scallagrims.com/armory/armor/sca ... iv-century

Has anyone taken on a project such as this before? Any suggestions?

Regards,
Filip

[Vladimir]

Hmm, that's a lot of wounds.

Perhaps you would be better of reproducing the armour of the winner of that fight.

[Ernst]

No wounds at all, since it's an astrological text showing Mars descending. These may depict rivets, or it could be hemispheres embossed into the scale.

If you use the Novgorod example, it's important to note the rivet isn't the primary or singular thing attaching the scale to the backing. Use redundant systems when attaching the scale, and consider using stainless or tinned scales, as cleaning rust off of scale armor is a time consuming prospect.

[Chris Gilman]

The red would seem to be the straps.

[Filip]

The red would seem to be the straps.

That was my understanding and how I plan to proceed with the project.

[Filip]

I am going to put this together with scales made from a hard saddle leather. I have never worked with this material before. Should I treat the leather to soften prior to cutting or just cut out the scales as is?

[Konstantin the Red]

Cut them out as is, using whatever will do the job -- leatherworkers' head-knife, tin snips, bandsaw, anything.

After that you make the edges pretty by slicking and using beeswax. If they're really pretty rough, fine grit on a belt or disc sander to really get the trouble spots to go away. You wouldn't be trying for wholesale removal of material, just eliminating the fuzzies. Once it's as smooth as that will get it, then resort to the edge slicker/bone folder and the wax.