This is beyond perfect..if only I could afford it.

[dartaghan]

Hopefully, I will be able to afford a less ornate/cheaper version of his breastplate work. I dont think ANYONE can make a breastplate like these, except Sir Brand.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 49490&rd=1

[Gerhard von Liebau]

Seems to be a pretty big statement... I'll note that the pyterges on those are not historically accurate, in the first place, and that the plates should come up and touch and the shoulders, instead.

I personally think that Craig Sitch of Manning Imperial Armoury probably makes them look much nicer. Granted, because they're in bronze, and of a more historically accurate gauge, they wouldn't be SCA worthy.

For example... 8th-7th century BC Bell Cuirass-





Or his 6th-5th century BC muscled cuirass-





But, those are nice. I wouldn't touch them for that price, considering the fact that I'd be doing living history, and demand a more historic design for everything... Craig would do my work!

But, no doubt, Sir Brand's work is excellent!

-Gregory-

[Thomas H]

dont get me wrong, its nice but there are plenty of people who could make them like that.

[Woodstock]

Thomas,

I bought an earlier version of that suit second hand from Tim (aka Stud & Buckle) here on the archive and agree with your opinion of Sir Brand's quality and workmanship. He has been known for a very long time for his high-quality Greco-Roman armour. The suit, regardless of what is/is not accurate on it, is a true work of art made for use in the S.C.A. There is a huge household on the left coast of the USA that Sir Brand is or was a member of called the Orkney's that would all show up in such suits at Estrella and other big events and it was a very impresive site to see.

If his price range is a bit out of reach may I make this suggestion perhaps it is something you can do in steps as funds are available:

James River Armoury - Greek Helm $275
http://jamesriverarmoury.com/HELM.HTM

A very high quality armoury the excells not only in craftmanship, but also customer service.

Vulcan Forge (aka Cet) - Fanless Elbows ???
http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... ile&u=2041

***Send Cet an email requesting his pricelist. Cet may also be able/willing to make the Greco-Roman Shovel Greaves and or breastplate

http://www.houseofthewolf.com/ (aka Uilleag)

I have not checked, but Uilleag, the undisputed god of leather work, may have some Shovel Greaves still available and they run about $85-90 last time I looked into it. If he is out of stock then try GAA Armouries http://www.gaa-armouries.com/ as Uilleage will now only be offering this greave style via GAA.

Uilleag Is also more than capable of constructing all the other leather items you would need for such a suit. As a matter of fact he does a leather Romanish breastplate much like the one Sir Brand offers at around $200, if memory serves me correctly.

The helm and other metal bits (ie elbows and/or breast) can be brass plated to complete the effect before they are incorporated into the suit and leather work. As I have not looked into recreating such a suit myself I have no idea of the actual final price, but I would wager a pint that you can get something of similar, if not better, quality for half as much, if not more.

Now... all of that said, if you are wanting to go SCA AND present yourself in a historically acurate kit all is not lost and can usually be acomplished for much less money than some think. For a starting point look into these sites:

RECONSTRUCTING THE WARRIORS OF
THE BRONZE AGE
http://www.larp.com/hoplite/bronze.html

Matthew Amt's Greek Hoplite Page
http://www.larp.com/hoplite/index.html

LEGIO XX
http://www.larp.com/legioxx/

Good luck and above all enjoy!

[ARMOURER ERIC]

Wade,

Thank you for the plug on the greek helm, if you ever want to sell Duke Dirk's old harness keep me in mind, I would be interested.

Eric C. Joseph
James River Armoury
San Diego
www.jamesriverarmoury.com

[dartaghan]

I have asked several armouries. No one makes a metal muscled curiass. Ulieag will not do a leather one. Since my armor is for 1)looking good and reasonably period and 2) fighting in (in that order of importance), I cant use some thin gauge bronze/brass thing.

I have one of Brand's brass plated Corinthians and its great. I just need the BP to go with it. Ulieag is making the rest of my kit in nice leather now. (greaves/knees/pauldrons, gauntlets). A complete BP as shown in that ebay picture (including the leather and decoration) runs about $1500 dollars (is what I was quoted). I cant afford that (DIVORCE if i tried I am sure, hehe) so I am hoping Sir Brand can make something a bit cheaper for me. I have had no luck finding another armorer willing to take on the job.

I bought a muscled curiass with cingulum from Kings Lance. It is a nice piece, but too big. THat makes it useless to me. oh...anyone about 6-1 tall need a breastplate?

[Thomas H]

You could try it yourself. could be a fun experience. well i know it is, i make armour too.

[Sasha_Khan]

SNIP!

Seems to be a pretty big statement... I'll note that the pyterges on those are not historically accurate, in the first place, and that the plates should come up and touch and the shoulders, instead.

I personally think that Craig Sitch of Manning Imperial Armoury probably makes them look much nicer. Granted, because they're in bronze, and of a more historically accurate gauge, they wouldn't be SCA worthy.
-Gregory-

Comparing armour for reenactment and armour created specifically for the SCA's combat sport is silly.

Two separate venues, two different sets of requirements.

[Gerhard von Liebau]

Comparing armour for reenactment and armour created specifically for the SCA's combat sport is silly.

Two separate venues, two different sets of requirements.

I agree. That's why I said this:

But, those are nice. I wouldn't touch them for that price, considering the fact that I'd be doing living history, and demand a more historic design for everything... Craig would do my work!

Also, I'm sure that if Craig had the demand to make them for combat, he easily could. It's not at all unthinkable to have a historically correct looking muscled cuirass on the SCA field, as far as I know. Only the gauge of the metal may have to change, as well as the attachment points for the breast and back plates, possibly. He charges $750 for his, but he has a long backlog, is in Australia, and is obviously used to making historic armor.

Brand's work looks fascinating, but still, to say that NO ONE could make cuirasses like that sounded very, very silly to me.

-Gregory-

[Woodstock]

Wade,

Thank you for the plug on the greek helm, if you ever want to sell Duke Dirk's old harness keep me in mind, I would be interested.

Eric C. Joseph
James River Armoury
San Diego
www.jamesriverarmoury.com

Eric,

Sadly I sold it some 2 years ago to somebody up in Canada who wanted it as a movie prop (or so they said). I have since lost contact with them, but will keep you informed if I find the info and they are looking to sell.

-Wade

[Woodstock]

Dartaghan,

Have you tried armourandcastings.com? It is something they might be able to tackle and their prices are very reasonable. If I remember correctly, the breastplate I had was either heavy brass or brass plated stainless. It was a bit heavy, but was more than worth it.

If they are not able to tackle it try:

Truehearth
http://www.dbis.ns.ca/~carlomeg/torso.html

There is a somewhat sculpted female version at only $425

or

Joe over at The Lonely Mountain Forge:
http://thelonelymountainforge.com/

I will dig deeper if need be, as I know there are other out there that would not charge you as much as your current quote. hopefully some of the more active members will see this post and offer help.

[Eyvandr]

Dartaghan e-mail me or talk to me on Tuesday. Duke Dirk (Brands brother) has been knocking armour out left and right lately. He has done a bunch of corinthians, a tracian helm, a brestplate, and a few other pieces in the past few weeks.

Go to www.westernspartans.com and check the classifieds forum for some pics of the stuff he has done. He is doing T-6 brestplates for I think $300.

Duke Uther has one on them, and its nice.

[William Freskyn Murray]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but wasn't Count Sir Brand the proprietor or the former Armorstore who seemed to leave a lot of customers unsatisfied by not delivering???

I could be wrong, if I am I apologize. If not then just a warning.

Will

edited because I identified the wrong armourer.

[Adhemar de Chartres]

If this is the same Count Sir Brand, it amazes me how he has time to make "tens of thousands of hammer strokes" yet cannot take the time to press my shield I ordered 2.5 years ago or to answer my emails. I was "supposed" to have it shortly after last Great Western War, but, just like every time I was disappointed to not find it at my door. I have given up on this. Sorry to rant, just pisses me off getting shafted by someone who is supposed to be the epitome of chivalry.