The Armour Archive

I was sitting at home going through a book on armour from Valentine armouries wishing that it had more detail when an idea hit me. What if the people from the Archive put together a book of armour patterns?!?!?! That could be so cool! Have almost the entire book be just patterns, with a section in the back about construction. All the pages would be printed up on heavy stock paper, so all a person would need to do is make sure it fits for size, cut that pattern out, then transfer it to steel. It might even be possible to make the patterns slightly adjustable before you cut them out, like the patterns for clothes that you can buy. The book would be kind of thick and large, but if you put the lager patterns like breast plates on 4 pages, then it should be able to be a manageable size. I don't know about the rest of you, but the idea of a book crammed full of patterns that just need to be cut out would be a great start for the beginning armourer!!! Even if it would cost $150 for the book I would still buy one, maybe even two!!
So, what is the likelyhood of the armour archive ever coming out with a book like that? Mad Matt? Broadway? Anyone? If the archive isn't interested in doing that, maybe one of the members? If I could get the permission to use the archived patterns here(And the money together to print them)then I might want to give it a shot myself. Is this practical? Has it been thought of before, maybe done before? Or is this too lame of an idea to ever get off the ground? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated!! Thanks again!!

JohnBlack

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Get it hot, hit it hard!

Would be great I agree, don't know about the price though, I'd write you a beginners guide to chain mail! It would be cool to have sections for different eras, eg. make a section detailing how to make a viking kit, or a gothic kit etc.

Also you could add a history of the Armour, like when it came in to use and such and also references to battles it was used in and historical evidence to prove it

It wouldn't just be for people on the archive you could sell it else where to beginner armourers (at events or something) so those that don't have the net cna enjoy the patterns here to. I'm sure there are other patterns out there as well.

I think it would be a good idea anyway, I'd buy one (if it wasn't $150)

Xander

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"Thats very shaky moral ground Kalten," Bevier said disapprovingly.
"I know" Kalten admitted. "That's why you have to run across the top of it so fast."

[This message has been edited by Xander (edited 02-09-2003).]

Well, not to stick pins in your idea, here, but there's something pretty close already and it is free. When you open up the Archive, click on Patterns and see what you get. Body armor, gauntlets, gorgets, arms, legs, more helmets than you know what to do with...

The patterns represent a lot of work by a lot of people here on the AA. And they are providing that work for the free use of others. Pretty cool, eh?

-Patrick

But those patterns are a bitch to try to bring up to the correct size,, and even harder if you do not have a computer or steady access to one,,,it wouls be nicer to have a book on hand rather thar all that trouble,,