The Armour Archive

Hey guys! I just got my wonderful new helmet in from Lewis Moore today! It fits me perfectly, but isn't padded yet... I've currently got a wad of felt sheets stuffed up in there to help me in my urge to wear my stuff around (I have it all on right now!)

Except, the helmet is getting heavy with it's improper lining on the top of my head... (Slips off helmet).

Here's a picture of me in all of my current stuff... I need to get a proper belt buckle and strap end... I am using a crappy sword I have, and I don't have a shield yet (both of these problems will hopefully be corrected soon!) and lots of other little trinkets will be changed. I'm getting a blue tunic (with white undershirt), a proper necklace, although the current one is actually based on a Rus example, ironically, but isn't a good reproduction. I need to make some shoes to replace my current ones, which are off period by several hundred years.

I'm also working on a set of splinted greaves and vambraces in Byzantine fashion (yes, to all of the preachers, I've been through it, and even told others... They were extremely rare, and there is little if any proof of their use!) because I plan on depicting a Russian Varangian.

I just got a HUGE axe, that I have showed to Halvgrim, and we agree it is too big for being properly accurate... It's damn cool, though:D So, I'm gonna' get another more properly sized one.

By the way, this is about circa 1125. Thanks for looking! Feedback is most welcome in any way, shape, or form!

Cheers!

-Gregory-

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Looks pretty good- the changes you've mentioned will make it even better. One other thing I might mention, is using vinegar or peroxide to strip the galvinization off your hauberk. Getting it down to the raw mild steel makes your mail look much less bright, and is a pretty standard expectation for most LH & re-enactment groups.

TTYL

~Wil

"The Raider Of The Lost Bathroom" Sweet!

You're going to have lots of fun in that.

You'll probably find the most convenient sort of helmet padding will be an arming-cap laced on under your chin.

@ Wil-

I plan on getting it off, eventually... But, first I want someplace better to store it, and some proper cleaning options for it. For now, it's safe from most everything, but I'll have to be more responsible for it once I strip the zinc off. I currently have it laying on my floor in a corner, folded like a T-shirt... Once I get a stand for it, and a place to oil it that my dad won't drain or take to use for something, then I'll make sure to strip it down;)

As for the changes, they'll be necessary... The current tunic is not well made, and the work is way to machine-looking to make it look realistic. I'm hoping I'll take time to make my own shoes, but I'll likely buy them...

I'm planning on getting the belt pieces and the necklace at www.vikingcrafts.co.uk.

For a sword, I'm debating what to get... There's a specific Windlass "Transitional" era viking sword based on a historic piece cited by Oakeshott that I really like, and looks great for the price... But I don't think it would blend in well. I likely will be carrying a seax only, though, with the axe and shield, so it doesn't matter too much what I get!

The axehead is going to be from Albion, if they have any of the model I want in stock, and my tunic and shirt will be from Katy Hanna at www.merchantadventurers.com.

@Konstantin-

Although an arming cap would be nice, during this era, they were not widely used in the east, as far as I know... Scandinavians didn't seem to favor them much, and likely padded their helmets, as most Eastern folks did, as far as I've gathered! I'm planning on using a simple leather/felt padding, I have the materials either way...

Cheers!

-Gregory-

I like it Gregory, Thumbs up. Hey while your in there maybe you could pad it with Charmin? LOL

meaddrinker wrote:I like it Gregory, Thumbs up. Hey while your in there maybe you could pad it with Charmin? LOL

Haha, probably could! Actually, after I took these pictures I wore it a while longer, and fiddled with it's position on my head while looking in the mirror. When I pushed it back and up a bit, with my eyes in the middle of the holes, it looked best. So, I ran for some more felt and stuffed it up in there all pretty like, and it looked much better when it sat a bit higher.

The only problem was, my nose is squashed up against the nasal when I do that. I can see better, too, though, so I think I may pad it so that it stays like that.

-Gregory-

Which Albion axe head are you looking at Greg? I've got one that I have no use for. I'll give it to you if you want it. It's their type L Breidox.

Patrick Kelly,
If he isn't interested let me know

Hey Patrick,

That's actually one of the two more I was planning on getting! I wanted it because it's nice and light. How much do you want for it..? I really have very little cash right now (as in nearing negative numbers). I hope I can get it! Thanks for the offer, too! I need an axe I can use with accuracy... Unlike the one I just got, here!

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This is my current Albion Axe. I bought this because it was BIG! Not because it was accurate for my Varangian kit..! I wanted something intimidating, and I think this does the job! I still need to put two little blackened screws into the side to secure it, and get a couple wood chips stuffed into the front and back on top, like I did on the bottom, to hold it tighter. After that I'll stain the shaft, and it'll be done!

Cheers!

-Gregory-

great googlie mooglies.

Holy shit that axe is big, Conan big.
Kit looks nice.
The galvanized coating will get grey in time and that will make it look better.
There is a Viking fellow who does demonstrations at the Higgins, his bare steel maile shirt is a nightmare to keep looking decent

AB

No charge Greg.

Just PM me with your address and I'll send it to you.

Wow, thanks Patrick! Thank you so much!

-Gregory-

Damn what a deal Mr, Lucky LOL, that is a 50.00 head

Yeah, now I just need a good shaft for it... :p

That is very nice, though! The weight (1.6 pounds) is about a fourth of the Grendel Head! So, this'll be a user!

I need to get rid of these damn Bronze Age Shields I have for a little bit of cash apiece, so I can go on and buy my tunic, belt fittings, and necklace!

-Gregory-

Thanks for the kit pics.

But may I suggest some better background.....
Outside, close to that old stone church in your town maybe.
Yes that's it... stand next to the stone work and don't get anything modern in the frame.

We always need more Vikings don't ya know.
You are doing a great job on your kit.....

Hal

Once the kit is "Done" (which it technically won't ever be, as I'll likely constantly be bettering it) with my new tunic, shoes, weapons, shield, belt and jewelry, etc... Then I'm going to take some nice pictures in an "old" looking area. Possibly up in the foothills, as it's only a 30 minute drive or so from where I live.

As for these pictures, well, besides the lighting being good in that room, the reason I didn't take them somewhere else was because it was already late in the afternoon when I had all of the gear on, and I didn't have any place within close proximity to take some better ones.

-Gregory-

That axe is excellently shaped, and humongously sized. Rent out advertising space for heavy-metal groups, or skateboard companies!