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Author Topic: What is your thought on this armor?
Arssante
Member
Member # 116

posted 02-14-2003 05:47 AM     Profile for Arssante   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
I was reading about your brigandine project with envy... I have no source for the brig. nails and little skill in armor making. I am looking into an English archer in the service of Charles with brigandine armor. Dose anyone out there make a set that is suitable (authentic) enough for living history groups?

Here is what I found..

http://www.whiteroseapparel.co.uk/

whats your thoughts? would I be wasting my time and money?


Registered: Jan 2001  |  IP: Logged
chef de chambre
Admin & Advocatus Diaboli
Member # 4

posted 02-14-2003 09:22 AM     Profile for chef de chambre   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Hi Arrsante,

Which one? The two ones most suitable (which are the most expensive)have several flaws - they lack the series of plates round the armhole and collar. Either they are too short, or they have placed the waistline below the navel. The top one seems entirely lined - no extant brigandine is lined, or shows any signs of lining save three at the RA, which have lining on the shoulder strap alone.

They are the best looking commercially available brigandines I have yet seen, but in my mind they are very expensive for the flaws they do have. That said, they are about 5 times cheaper than I would want for making one, but one I made would have all the detail, and every part of the assembly hand done (including sewing together the foundation by hand).

I would really have to see one up close to see if I would let it into Wolfe Argents arsenal, but then we have the capabilities to make our own. I know some people on the 15th century list were considering getting them. Maybe someone brave on this end will get one.

Craig and I will be working on two different patterns suitable for the novice - one pretty much suitable for a complete novice, which will look like mine without the lungplates. They are designed around the concept of having no more tools or skills than a pair of tinsnips, and a sewing needle (or machine, a ballpien hammer, and a small, cheap anvil available at the hardware store. All plates would be cut out of a 2" wide coil of either springsteel, or stainless strapping, and they could be assembled in a fraction of the time, or with a fraction of the trouble of the Wolfe Argent examples. We even have readily available commercial nails lined up for the ease of people undertaking the project.

They would not be perfect (in fact, they are aimed at people interested in more authentic in the SCA, or people in HWMA, but on a budget and with minimal skills) reproductions, but they would probably look as good as then White Rose brigandines, and cost only several hundred dollars, and your time invested, instead of close to $1000.

--------------------

Bob R.


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Caliburnus
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Member # 11

posted 02-14-2003 10:52 AM     Profile for Caliburnus   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
I've handled the top three of those brigs, and know the company very well, They mate me a VERY nice buckler a few years ago!

These are all top quality builds, very tough and flexable! As far as i know they are hand made, including the stiching, but i may be wrong, White Rose are the kind of guys to go the whole hog as far as that kind of thing goes.

White Rose harness is some of the best in the UK and pricy to match, a full suit of Millanease is about £5000, without any "fancy" bits like Grande guards etc

Still top gear

(well not bad... for yorkist armourers)

--------------------

For God, King and Lancaster


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Arssante
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Member # 116

posted 02-14-2003 06:32 PM     Profile for Arssante   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote
Thanks for the feedback!

Caliburnus: I too have heard good things about them, but Bob is right about the errors, I just don't know if $1000 is worth something that will not meet a minimal visual inspection? But I must admit the thought of not spending hours peening nails is still an attractive one

Bob: I sent them off an email asking if they could make the changes you noted, but I thought I should ask if you folks need a test subject for your kit? I don't know if you have something ready or not? But help from someone who knows about the look and assembly would be a great help! I have no way of tinning the plates but spring steel sounds like a fair alternative... I am a bit of an island out here in northern California, Jeff and Gwen are to far south to play with but I have a strong interest in creating as authentic a kit as possible.
Can you help? Advice, nails, instructions? Any help would be welcome

Mark-


Registered: Jan 2001  |  IP: Logged

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