Posts: 669 Location: Dinuba, CA
Mon 05 Apr, 2010 4:59 pm
In the lower price range I mentioned the example Jean just posted from Merc's Tailor is exactly what I had in mind. Of course, as he correctly stated, it would be worn under the cuirass so as long as you get the fit around the neck correct, most examples should work okay with minor adjustment. The style you're looking for would definitely be a simple one like the example above - Two pieces on the bottom to fit snugly under the cuirass with 2/3 articulated lames rising from it, held in places with rather loose leather strips that allow a range of motion.
For the money, I'd definitely contact Allan and see if he thinks he could get one that would have the proper fit for you and the right amount of curvature over the upper chest to fit smoothly beneath your cuirass. I believe that his product is probably a perfect match for the quality of your existing harness. It wouldn't make sense to get anything wildly better made or any less worthily constructed, in my opinion. If he doesn't have anything that fits you, I'd stroll over to the
Armour Archive and post a thread in the classified section showing images of your cuirass and
burgonet when they're on you, give a neck circumference measurement and ask for "a proper early 16th century gorget" to be made to match. You'll have armorers throwing you offers so fast you won't know what to do.
-Gregory