The Armour Archive

Here is the idea... what do you think should be included in an armour 'field repair kit'? I would like to know what the bare minimums would be and also so of the fancy extras.

As a matter of fact it might be nice to have three kits: Basics, Expanded, the Dream Kit.

Sources and related cost for each item would be a huge plus since that always gets asked anyway.

For a basic kit I would propose:

various lengths/widths of leather for straps with buckles already attached and hole punched

Rivets of the size you'll need to replace on your kit

End Nips to cut faulty staps/rivets off your armour

Anvil of some sort (rail chunk, slab of iron, etc)

Hammer

and of course

Duct Tape

What else should be added to the basic kit? What would the other two kits contain?

As I mentioned at the top, this will become an article for the archive. Everyone who submits ideas will be given credit when I compile it all and submit it.

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Data Fata Secitus

Directory of S.C.A. Armouries & Armouring Supplies

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My field repair kit contains:
ball pein hammer
3 lb steel dishing/cross pein hammer
rivets
straps and buckles
utility knife
13 lb anvil
bundle of leather thongs
leather scissors
leather
leather sewing kit (awl, needle, and artificial sinew)
spare scales for my lamellar harness
cross-cut pliers for cutting rivets
file
and, last but not least, the ever-popular duct tape

(edited to add pliers and file)

[This message has been edited by Thorgrimr (edited 12-29-2002).]

^-- Im with him! I also add glassfibre tape and a leather hole puncher.

Doh! How could I forget my hole punches!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Thorgrimr:
Doh! How could I forget my hole punches!</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the replies so far! Anymore input? I would like to wrap up and write the article over the weekend.

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Data Fata Secitus

Directory of S.C.A. Armouries & Armouring Supplies

Persona / Culture Research Links

[This message has been edited by Lord William Avery (edited 12-30-2002).]

super glue
neddle and thread an extra buckle or two.
a twist drill.

a flask of wiskey with shot glasses and some dried frute

wiskey of corse when the whole thing is fubar.

surgical tubing and some cord.

some band-aid

I don't know what exactly would go in it, but it would be nice to have a repair kit with period materials and tools in a small chest. Something like that would be fun to have for public demo's and such.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Richard de Scolay:
I don't know what exactly would go in it, but it would be nice to have a repair kit with period materials and tools in a small chest. Something like that would be fun to have for public demo's and such.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That is an awesome idea to explore!

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Data Fata Secitus

Directory of S.C.A. Armouries & Armouring Supplies

Persona / Culture Research Links

I have often thought of taking a repair kit to an event with me.

It would be a good way to offer my services to fighters whose armour is damaged during combat. Chivalry at its best.

The one thing I would NOT have: Duct tape.

I think the first thing would be to have a very durable, sturdy as hell, box that could serve as a workbench as well.
The lid made of 2x4s, and the sides reinforced... Big and Strong.


That way, you could bolt various metal forms to the top to sub for an anvil. They could sit in the box during travel. I would use two that I have... One, basically a six inch metal block, with a curved edge and a straight edge, mounted on a 3x3 x 4 inch high block of metal, mounted on another plate with holes for bolting.
You could also bolt a vice to the top.
You could drill a hole in the top and reinforce it for sticking a planishing stake into....

Also included in the box...

My whitney punch.
Leather punch.
End nips (those big ass 11"ers to take out blown rivits).
Planishing Stake (shot put welded to iron bar).
Planishing Hammer.
Ironwood Hammer.
Ball Peen Hammer.
1/2" and 1" Strips of Leather for straps.
Box of brass and mild rivits.
Buckles.
Several sheet of sanding paper.
Knife.
Spray Bottle of Motor Oil.
Several disposable rags.
Ball of String.
Needle Nose Pliers.
Linesman Pliers.
(No spare rings for chainmail, gaps can be fixed in a hauberk by taking from the bottom row of the shirt)

Thats all I can think of at the moment.



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Matthew Broadway
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Since everything is but an apparition, perfect in being what it is, having nothing to do with good or bad, acceptance or rejection, one may well burst into laughter.