I have been looking around for a possible future brigandine, and I found the Steel Mastery offering. Are they any good? It seems like they are a lot of work to sell for $500. Also, what gauge of metal is appropriate for the plates? They offer anywhere between .8 and 1.5 mm.

On a side note, is there anywhere that I could see a layout of the plates on the inside - not necessarily on this one, but a general pattern?

Here is a link for reference purposes: http://steel-mastery.com/index.php?&model...rent_id=17

Steel Mastery is not offering a period pattern that I know of; I think it is more useful for a group like the SCA that wants the impression of a period piece and not a replica. The plates are too large compared to all the extant examples I know of, which is why the price is so low I suspect.

Here are some period replicas and patterns:

http://www.eskimo.com/~cwn/brig_craig1.html

http://www.armourarchive.org/patterns/brig/15thBrig.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons...iew%29.JPG

Here is the whole topic about brigandine makers.You can find some info there.

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...mp;start=0

yeah ied likely stay clear of Steel-mastery - for a 15th century brigandine, i would lift my brow for any thing that came with a price tag below 1000 Euro´s (about 1500$) - at least if it was a historical one for reenactment useage - for living history / puritans 2000+ Euro´s (3000+$) would likely be a good indication.

ive talked to quite a few people before i got mine in production - had an offer of 2000 euros on an X-company of saint george brigandine - based on flemish artwork, high price but the brigandine is likely the best reproduction using the best materials for the job that i have ever seen made. yet 2000 Euros is quite a lot of money, particulary when it is not "made for you"
naturaly, ill likely end up almost paying the same (total) for mine, but meh, at least mine will be custom fitted to me :)

anyways, if you want an cheap one - http://www.loricamos.pl/ might be possible, i know quite a few, who have their brigs, only problem there is the size, think i know 3 who has them, and none of them fits - lucky they could trade a bit inbetween, and get a half-way decent result out of that

oh and if you consider making one yourself - i wouldnt mind seeing a repro with a fustain cover (havnt seen one at all - only leather and velvet)

cheers

I cannot speak to the historical accuracy, but everything I have seen come out of steel mastery has been exceptional quality despite the price. The only complaint i have heard about them is shipping time, and that is not bad considering where it is coming from. I would not hesitate to order from them, as long as you are comfortable with the accuracy of the piece.

I just want to clarify that why I suspect the price is low is do to larger plates than the historical examples. Larger plates equal less work which equals a lower price.

yeah material costs are not really that big of a deal these days (still a lot by all means.. but..) but the real cost is the hours - wouldnt even wanna dream of the price tag on a late period (post-medieval) brigandine.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. As a broke college student, $1500 is more than I can dream about spending on anything right now :( I am considering making one, but I don't know where I'd find the time...art school is a lot more work than most people seem to think. ;)

Addison,

If you can sew ok the rest of the Brigandine is not terribly complicated metalworking wise. You could get 1mm plates adn cut them with come heavier shears which most large hardware stores in the US sell. Here in the UK a bit harder to find them but still not too hard. One friend of mine found some nice cheap fabric velvet that was at a store that made furniture and sold drapes etc. It was a lovely blue colour. Someday he might finish his brig. Craig's pattern is quite good and with a sand bag, a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer, ball pein and a sledge hammer to use as an anvil you'd be set. It is time consuming for sure but that is the trade off really. Money now or time later. I can understand the school thing as I am a lifelong student- Almost done but the last few years do not get easier... they expect you to be teaching, working on other academic pursuits and lookign for future employment, all while on the dissertation :lol:


Forgot, getting ahold of a cheap 10 dollar HF hand punch will work perfect with 1mm steel/iton plates so it would be advisable to get one.

RPM