The Armour Archive

A friend of mine would like me to make a Churburg breastplate for steel combat for him. I am a little concerned about the open area that runs down along the spine. (as he said) " the gap is in the back and I'm not going to run away so I won't be hit there "
I know accidents happen so has anyone delt with this issue before, specifically for this style but also for any item that someone wants you to make that you would consider to be unsafe for the intended purpose. I know the first rule of bussiness is that the customer is always right but this is a friend.

I would Modify the pattern to include a Spine plate.
You can design one that will fit in with the design of the rest of the harness and will not be out of place.

If Your friend argues that there isn't one on the original. just tell him that there were dozens of armourers making hundreds of harnesses. Some were bound to have that particular modification.

As always just be sure to post pictures of the final product


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Vogeljager
www.angelfire.com/nf/dfowler/

Like most 14th century armor, this relied on a mail coat for back protection. If he wants the autheentic look but also wants good back protection, but a solid back plate under his arming coat.

Dan

A later period solution could be to make a "corslet" back-plate. This is a series (4?) plates that overlap vertically to cover the back. They taper downwards, just as your shoulders are wider than your waist.

I have used this armour for about two years. I have never had a problem with that area at all. I ight on a regular Bases in the SCA. Just this last weekend at Cybagua Investure. If you want to you can Make the back two plates a little wider so they over lap. Outhers who have had this same concern have built a leather back plate the covers from just below the shoulders to the top of the plates. I also use A Whait belt to hold my Legs This sits just under the plates.

Hey Knock. Good to see you here. Sorry we didn't get a chance to play at Coronet. My sinuses still haven't healed completely, aparently so getting hit in the head turned out to be a painfull idea.

Are you going to make it up to Valhalla this year?

Dan
(Red and yellow surcoat )

How about adding a center plate as suggested above. To keep the general feel of the original, cover that plate with cloth the color of your friend's arming coat.

I will be there the second weekend for the Demo. I have A Pa da Arms to be at this weekend. Also remember the cherburg is ment to be worn over Chain mail and A joupon.

I fight in the same type of churburg body armor.

I have sewn pockets into the back of my gambison and fill them with leather plates. This way after fighting you can pull out the plates and wash it when you need to. (or want to......)I then use a skirt of leather scales for lower body protection & down to mid-thigh. I'm now working on sewing in more pockets so I can get rid of the scale skirt. This way I just put on the gambison & then the churburg and I'm covered. With the skirt its a bit more to put on then just a reg. front and back plate but it works also, just a little heavy.
It will be just like having a coat of plates but your chest area is armor. Its a good mid-13th cent. look.

good luck with it.


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"I may not come out alive, but I'm going in there !!!" Cowardly Lion from Wizard of OZ

Nice ideas, I'll call my friend and see what he thinks. thanks.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by jason knochenhauer:
I will be there the second weekend for the Demo. I have A Pa da Arms to be at this weekend. Also remember the cherburg is ment to be worn over Chain mail and A joupon.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Cool. We'll look forward to seeing you.

Dan