The Armour Archive

Geoffrey the Younger

Hi All, just a reminder if you are in the US this program is airing tonight Oct. 4th at 9 pm on PBS http://www.thirteen.org/programs/nova/secrets-shining-knight-preview-em5biq/ Ric Furrer made the metal from ore in a bloomery. He then refined it. I took the rough plates and continued hammering, maki...

Geoffrey the Younger

I was in Calgary last year in August, and there was an attempt to have an armoring get together with Peter Fuller, but it didn't work out. I ended up doing a demo at a metal shop that made hoof knives. I cut out some parts, demonstrated forming, planishing and articulation. There was interest and ta...

Geoffrey the Younger

I have been intrigued by this question -- how are iron/steel vervailles made, So after looking at the examples of vervailles and also Mac's instructions I filed out 2. Here is a link to some images of the vervailles I made. http://wassonphotos.smugmug.com/Misc-Shop-Stuff/n-S3vJBh/i-bJ9jsBH/A I decid...

Geoffrey the Younger

A larger mass stays hot longer than a smaller mass that cools off quicker. Having a bunch of plates stacked takes advantage of this principle. They seem to be making some really big forms -- almost the size of small trash cans in the Seven bucket stack video. the videos do seem to jump from a stack ...

Geoffrey the Younger

Hi All, So just what do we know about late 14th early 15th c. sabatons? Maybe more specifically plate sabatons. There is the Chartre, childs armour with sabaton pieces. I think that is the only extant 14th c. piece. In the 15th c. the first that comes to mind are the ones in the royal armouries that...

Geoffrey the Younger

I didn't see this when originally posted. I was aware of the frescoe , but this thread makes some things more clear. This is a great frescoe. This time is a transitional time -- you have that great bascinet thing with the 2 crowns on it! Two! and it has a visor like an Armet! There's another with a ...

Geoffrey the Younger

Rolling edges does happen pretty fast. I have done them so often I feel comfortable working quickly. If you are learning how to do this stuff, don't try and speed up the process -- work on good form. Most metalworking forming happens in manageble steps or stages. As you get confident you know where ...

Geoffrey the Younger

Tom, thanks for posting this. -- I knew it was being taped, but the camera feed was going to a projection so the audience could see what I was doing up close. I didn't think it would end up on Youtube. --a pleasant surprise! There were two other sections with Dirk talking about armour and showing im...

Geoffrey the Younger

Yes this exhibit is part of the arms and armour centennial. Your link shows a lot of the changes/ improvements made to the galleries, and the display of new material.

Geoffrey the Younger

Ok pictures of splinted arms are up.

Geoffrey the Younger

Hi All, There is a really cool exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC on Bashford Dean. It is the 100 year anniversary of the Arms and Armour department that Dean founded. The exhibit started back in October, I was at the opening and I only finally got a really good look at it back in Dece...

Geoffrey the Younger

Hi Guys, I have added some new armour for sale to my website, check it out here: http://www.wassonartistry.com/show.php?id=forsale What's new: 14th c. cuisses Spaulders Hardened steel elbow and knee cops Splinted arms with elbow cops -- will add that in tomorrow -- almost forgot about them. Also I s...

Geoffrey the Younger

Here are the knees, About 5" across from memory, will double check measures when I get a chance.

Geoffrey the Younger

Just a comment on fit; All of the real medieval greaves I have looked at have this elegant shape to them that is not quite the same shape as a modern leg. I think the modern leg is beefier for some reason, maybe our activities and diet are different. Perhaps guys that rode horses to go everywhere ju...

Geoffrey the Younger

Here's a drawing that better describes what I am talking about. Once again, tight around the top like a cone gripping the calf so it can't slide down into the ankle. Once it is past the thickest part of the leg it can start to pull away from the leg in a very subtle way. At the ankle it forms a ball...

Geoffrey the Younger

No you don't have to be there to buy; I will ship. The event is this Saturday so whatever doesn't sell will still be available, or PM me if you are desperately interested. Some prices: Gauntlets: I have 3-4 pairs ranging in price from $500 to $760 Arm harness $600. Fits a medium sized arm 12" cir. e...

Geoffrey the Younger

Greaves should be really tight, but in other areas they should not be touching. Wade and Mac are correct; If you look at real medieval greaves you will see they are imparting a certain elegance of style -- a fashion statement. It is important that up at the top of the greave right under the knee tha...

Geoffrey the Younger

Hi All, I'll be at 100 Minutes War this Saturday and will be bringing some pieces of Hardened steel armour for sale. I'll Have: 3 -4 pairs of 1050 hardened steel gauntlets with gloves sewn in. 1 Arm Harness, also 1050, with straps and buckles ready to wear, medium sized arm 3 pairs spaulder type sho...

Geoffrey the Younger

Hi, been really busy, some movie stuff as well as armour. Cuirass -- I think he is wearing a breastplate with a fauld. This Breastplate also probably has a backplate made up of smaller plates like Italian backplates of the latter 15th c.. I speculate this is so because many of the early backplates a...

Geoffrey the Younger

I've noticed the tendency for what looks like separate vambraces from spaulder- rerebrace armour as well. Looks like it would solve the problem that integral arm harness have when you turn your arm -- and the spaulder digs in or inhibits movement. See Du -Guesclin in St. Denis as well as the other e...

Geoffrey the Younger

This looks like an awesome workshop:

The facilities, The great armourers who will be there. Definitely something not to miss!

Everyone going should take notes and learn as much as you can! Wish I could go.

--Jeff

Geoffrey the Younger

Corey: The gold leaf is 23.5 Karat Red Gold, and comes in a package of 25 leaves that are 3 3/8" square. I use Charbonel size; you paint this on in a thin coat and then let it dry for 2-3 hours until it gets tacky then you can apply the gold leaf. I found it was best to put the leaf on while it was ...

Geoffrey the Younger

Thanks guys for all the kind words. Sam: The small rings don't really serve any function I am aware of. They appear to be just decorative. The lion heads themselves are actually cast rivets that hold the lining strap in place. Corey: I think I used about one package of gold leaf -- it is real gold, ...

Geoffrey the Younger

Some more photos.

Geoffrey the Younger

Hi All,

Here is a Blued and gilt Morion that I finished about a month ago.

It is made of 1050 hardened spring steel. It was etched with nitric acid and blued with heat. The gold is gold leaf.

It is based on helmets made for the guard of Christian the I, Elector of Saxony.

Enjoy!

--Jeff

Geoffrey the Younger

Thanks everyone, There are some great images there and some other good leads to follow. Mac-- I probably will try and do some tassets on the haunches. The way they want it displayed might make it hard to tell what type of animal the armour is for so the more I can show the form of the dog underneith...

Geoffrey the Younger

Thanks guys, those are some great leads. I did a little hunting and found the dog armour at the Higgins in some online photos -- seems to be one of those odd things that sticks in peoples minds. It looks pretty goofy--the dog looks like a harmless breed rather than something for the hunt or war. -- ...

Geoffrey the Younger

Yes. I'm looking for folks to help point me toward historical images of dog armour. I have a project where I need to make something of the sort and I am looking for whatever images that can get me in the right direction. Specifically, armour for dogs that the conquistadors brought when they came to ...

Geoffrey the Younger

Thanks for all the kind words guys. Galvyn, the rivets are steel and the heads are gold plated. Eventually I would like to try capping them with brass and plating them. Rivet making is like a whole craft by it's self, and there is only so much one can do. Wade, I have alot more work to show but unfo...

Geoffrey the Younger

Here you can see the stand and the overall effect.

Geoffrey the Younger

Ok, So it is finally finished! Many of you probably saw the helmet in the Armour of the month. The rest of the cuirass has been finished and here are a few pictures. This armour was based off of one in Viennna. It is usually labeled Maximillian the I but it is really for Philip his son, who would be...

Geoffrey the Younger

I have posted some new items to my website: Mild steel arm harness Mild steel shoulders 1050 spring steel, 14th c. arm harness Check it out here: http://www.wassonartistry.com/show.php?id=forsale I have been able to devote more time to armouring and so I will be updating the site with new stock armo...

Geoffrey the Younger

I've heard of this but never seen it, -- It's really quite amazing.

http://www.coolestone.com/media/895/Anvils_Away/

When your done armouring you can use your anvil to entertain!

---Jeff

Geoffrey the Younger

Some photos of the cuirass, rear placard/culet and tassets -- almost ready to heat treat.

The X has been hammered in. I went back and forth between working it from both sides.

Got to get back to work!

Cheers --Jeff Wasson

Geoffrey the Younger

More photos -- The helmet with the Gold leaf on and the gold rivets in place. I just have to put the rondelle on, add a plume holder, and put the lining in and she'll be finished. Still, lot's more work to do on the cuirass and arms. Yes I'm crazy and out of my mind. Sorry I'm not so consistent in p...

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what do we know about late 14th and early 15th c. Sabatons?

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Re: Jeff Wasson videos Dressing in Steel

Re: Cool Bashford Dean Exhibit at the Met Museum of Art NYC

Re: Hardened steel armour for sale! great for BOTN

Cool Bashford Dean Exhibit at the Met Museum of Art NYC

Hardened steel armour for sale! great for BOTN

Re: Armour for Sale at 100 Minutes War

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Re: What makes a pair of greaves good?

Re: Armour for Sale at 100 Minutes War

Re: What makes a pair of greaves good?

Armour for Sale at 100 Minutes War

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Re: Blued and gilt Morion

Re: Blued and gilt Morion

Re: Blued and gilt Morion

Blued and gilt Morion

Re: Looking for resources: Historical Dog armour

Re: Looking for resources: Historical Dog armour

Looking for resources: Historical Dog armour

Re: Armour of Maximilian I --progress and construction photo

Re: Armour of Maximilian I --progress and construction photo

Re: Armour of Maximilian I --progress and construction photo

New pieces for sale

Firing anvils!