The Armour Archive

aetheric991

In regards to the bascinet in the Zurich museum, I don't think those are lug nuts. Its hard to tell from the pics, but I think the bottom one is a post, and the top one turns to lock the bretache into place, or allow it to be removed. As far as the mail goes, I wonder if it was "conserved" in the la...

aetheric991

I came across this recently, and it might be of interest to you.

Exploring the medieval hunt - http://themedievalhunt.com/

aetheric991

I'm pretty sure your breastplate can be documented to North America, circa 1990. If you really have your heart set on using it in a middle eastern type kit, maybe wear it under some kind of robe?

aetheric991

Cian,

Your project looks great so far! I'm also impressed with how fast you are making such awesome progress.

aetheric991

It sounds like your friends are really saying "If you fight, it will make me see thru all the lame excuses I've given myself. So don't fight. I'll feel bad about myself".

Do what makes you feel good.

aetheric991

Gerhard, I'm not sure if you are addressing my comment, or Peter's. For some reason, when I quoted Mac and Peter, I didn't get the nifty box with text inside it. This might make my reply to them seem a little unclear. I would agree that anyone who was able to afford both greathelm, and crest to put ...

aetheric991

quote="Mac"] One thing strikes me, though. The laces make a big visual impact, and while I think that looks nice, we don't see them in period art. That suggests to me that the fastening method is not supposed to be seen. Perhaps the laces should be of the same color as the mantling, and the knots ma...

aetheric991

Ernst wrote:Formed rawhide IIRC

Cennini says "...to make a crest...you must first get some white leather which is not dressed except with myrtle or ciefalonia,..". Is this rawhide or something else?

aetheric991

Those are two good reasons. I was hoping that you might have evidence for use of leather used on some artifact that I was unaware of. I had assumed that the mantle should be made of linen, and emotionally accepted that sewing the dagging would just be no fun. When I get to this point, I plan to deco...

aetheric991

Can you document a twisted torse on a great helm before 1400? I haven't been able to do so. Dirk H. Breiding's article "Some Notes on Great Helms,Crests and Early Tournament Reinforces" has a photo of part of the effigy of Sir John Swindon, died 1371, effigy ca. 1370-80. It shows what could be call...

aetheric991

I'll be following this project with interest, as I have a similar greathelm, and an unfinished crest-like object.( Mine will be a rooster:) )

One question, why use goatskin for the mantle?

aetheric991

Based on my observations, narrow splints seem to be more common. My pet peeve in the number of rivets. On a lot of interpretations, there are only 3 or 5 rivets per splint. You should use a lot more! If the rivet heads are close to touching, thats about right.

aetheric991

Use the damn thing! While there are things I'd like to improve, the bigger issue is that I didn't actually wear my kit in 2014

aetheric991

I guess that your personal skill set will make one type of construction easier than another. For me, leather is a lot easer than felting wool. I helped make felt boots once, and have resisted the urge to try again for 15 or so years. As far as keeping warm, the nice guys and gals from Albrectt's Bos...

aetheric991

To the best of my knowledge, the written and archeological record for 14th century western Europe calls for leather. Are you looking at felt to help keep you warmer?

aetheric991

There are a few sources that seem to show something like your photo. Here are a few from mid 14th century effigies. They look to be mostly free standing. http://effigiesandbrasses.com/search/?tags=%22gorget%22 The Holkham Bible shows a few guys with some sort of gorget attached to their helmets. htt...

aetheric991

If you want better traction on your leather soles, just use hobnails, like roman caligae. I think the demand for traction might be overrated. The leather soled turn shoes I've been fighting in seem to work just fine for me, and I feel help to improve my footwork as I explore more historic methods o...

aetheric991

I made myself a pair of "cheater" chausses. They only cover the shins and feet, and are sewn into the bottom of my gamboissed cuisses. I expect that eventually I'll get around to sewing a leather sole to the bottom of the mail, and just put them on like hose, but for now I am lacing them shut at the...

aetheric991

Instead of a full liner, you could achieve the same thing with edgings. The thing that worries me about a liner is that you have to make sure that the volume of the cop is still available for your knee to use. To do that, you will meed to make the liner volumetric by having darts or something like ...

aetheric991

Steve, I've been working on a harness circa 1345, that looks a lot like yours, including the choice of colors! For the cuisses, I used 3 layers of blanket weight wool scraps as padding, reducing the bulk to just the linen shell and liner behind the knees. For the time being, i have reenforced it wit...

aetheric991

I looked into this for my coat of plates. I went in another direction, but after adding up the cost for the amount needed, I thought long and hard about making my own. http://www.larp.com/legioxx/lorica.html This page should contain enough info to get into trouble.

aetheric991

MJ Blazek - No current pictures. It seems no one has caught me on film since I finished the CoP. I'll see what I can do for you, but it could be a while. I haven't been fighting much lately :( Ciaran Blackrune- If my weapon chains are the only thing making me look like a fool, I'm doing OK. I might ...

aetheric991

I currently have one chain between my CoP and my greathelm. No real problems so far. As soon as I get my gauntlet situation worked out, the other staple on the Cop will hold a weapon...

aetheric991

Good work. You've made progress just from your first pair of Jorvik style shoe to your second. I look forward to seeing your next pair of shoes.

aetheric991

I use the Osborne #144 shoe awl haft, and and awl blade appropriate to the project. I get mine thru the Oregon Leather Company in Portland, OR. I don't think they have a web site, but you could call them at 503-223-0046. Ask for the crafts department. If you shop the web, you could probably find a b...

aetheric991

The solution a friend of mine uses a layer of closed cell foam inside the his bascinet, covered by a quilted suspension liner made of two layers of linen sandwiching a 3/4" layer of open cell foam. The linen and foam went thru the sewing machine with no problem. I think he hand washes it.

aetheric991

I don't know if its too late to mention this, but you might find it easier if you do all your sewing on the uppers before adding the soles. It works for me..

aetheric991

I used several layers of wool scraps, hand quilted between two layers of wool.It seems to be holding up pretty well, but I don't get to fight as much as I'd like...

aetheric991

Sulla, Don't get too hung up about hammering the edge of your soles. I do it because it helps to close up the seam,smooths out the inside, and make things look more finished, but I have no evidence that medieval guys did this, or even cared about it. It makes my shoes look nicer, and that makes me h...

aetheric991

You did a nice job with both of these, they look nicer than most I've seen. You should be happy with them. I do have a couple of tips for your Jorvik shoes, based on the YAT book I mentioned earlier, and the pairs that I've made. The first thing is the sewing around the edge. The finds from York hav...

aetheric991

Several years ago I read about a coprolite dating from the Viking age that was, as I recall, one of the largest ever found. I've been working on reproductions for years, and keep threatening to enter one in an A&S contest...

aetheric991

A quick comment in regards to your Jorvik style shoes. I don't know if you know, or care, but the seam and toggle of type 4 shoes found at York go on the inside of the foot. As best I can tell from your photos, you have the seam and toggle located on the outside. You can download Leather and Leather...

aetheric991

There are a few pics on Mirko's facebook page that show more details of his CoP. The actual shape of most of the plates is pretty "barrel" like. What really sets this one apart from most Cops that you see is the attention to detail. It looks like everything under it is fitted to him, thus allowing h...

aetheric991

I wear at least that much mail as well. I blame my inability to fight as well as I want more on the lazy sack of fat inside my armour, rather than the armour itself. A least I look good while losing.

aetheric991

I have a norman spangenhelm made by Halberds , as seen in the pattern section. http://www.armourarchive.org/patterns/norman_spangenhelm_halberds/ I've added a leather suspension liner, and a few minor scratches,but otherwise just like the pictures. Inside diameter is about 26" so it should fit someo...

Re: Hello and bascinet question

Re: What do we think the hunter is wearing eh?

Re: What sort of place and period is this breastplate?

Re: Great helm crest, torse and mantle

Re: You're not going to fight. are you?

Re: Great helm crest, torse and mantle

Re: Great helm crest, torse and mantle

Re: Great helm crest, torse and mantle

Re: Great helm crest, torse and mantle

Re: Great helm crest, torse and mantle

Re: Great helm crest, torse and mantle

Re: Broad splints, historical or just modern comfort?

Re: 2015 Kit Resolutions!

Re: 14th C Shoes

Re: 14th C Shoes

Re: 14th century neck armour

Re: Help with chainmail chausses

Re: Help with chainmail chausses

Re: OK, let's figure out early 14th century leg harness.

Re: OK, let's figure out early 14th century leg harness.

Re: ISO brass armor washers

Re: Weapons chains and the SCA

Re: Weapons chains and the SCA

Re: Making some turn shoes.

Re: leatherworkers -- pricker awl?

Re: Pointers for making a better authentic liner?

Re: Making some turn shoes.

Re: Pointers for making a better authentic liner?

Re: Making some turn shoes.

Re: Making some turn shoes.

Re: List of SCA Arts & Sciences?

Re: Making some turn shoes.

Re: A few quick questions on COP construction.

Re: A few quick questions on COP construction.

Halberds Norman spangenhelm and Vaerne buckle set FS or FT