"meridian arm harness"?

[freiman the minstrel]

Gentles,

My gear is wearing out, and I am thinking about new armour.

For many years the household I am in has frequently worn arm harness that I have heard called "Meridian Arm Harness". At times it has been almost a Uniform. It works quite well for sca fighting, but I have never heard any suggestion that it's period.

Before I go and shell out a mess of cash for another set of harness, it might be nice to know if it is indeed period, and if so, where and when it's from.

Here's one picture,

[url=http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/forgotten_castle/vwp?.dir=/freimandithis&.src=gr&.dnm=kane.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/forgotten_castle/lst%3 f%26.]http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/forgotten_castle/vwp?.dir=/freimandithis&.src=gr&.dnm=kane.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/forgotten_castle/lst% 3f%26.[/url] dir=/freimandithis%26.src=gr%26.view=t

here's another, showing a very pretty suit of tooled leather, with the meridian arm harness,

http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/forgotten_castle/vwp?.dir=/freimandithis&.src=gr&.dnm=illlissa.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/forgotten_castle/lst%3f %26.dir=/freimandithis%26.src=gr%26.view=t

Here's a third,

http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/forgotten_castle/vwp?.dir=/&.src=gr&.dnm=Pennsic.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/forgotten_castle/lst%3f%26.dir= /%26.s rc=gr%26.view=t

Has anyone ever seen any suggestion that this rig is period? If so, where and when is it from?

freiman the minstrel

{edited because the second link did not work for me}

[This message has been edited by freiman the minstrel (edited 05-27-2003).]

[AB Hammer]

As the second in line of the originators, I would say it is an SCA mimic ( a leather variable of a real arm harness but not percise ) The first ones came from Hagan of Venyard out of Tn. The next groop came from me with my upgrades. Now several people make them. If you are looking for one, make sure they are not using bad leather. There have been some bad copies made.


Hope this helps
AB Hammer