The gauntlets in this post are the resault of the outstanding work by swedish armourer Albert Collins of Via Armorari. The gauntlets that are part of the gothic harness in the Kienbusch Collection has been a pair i have wanted to own a reproduction of for many years and after looking all over the world for someone to do them justice i found a very talanted armourer just an hour from my home. Albert Collins has really come into world-class level in his work the last couple of years, unfortunatly his webpage shows too little of the masterpeices he produces now adays. So im glad to be able to spread the word and show documentation to testament his skill.
These are made traditionally which i think is very important, hand forged and filed and quench hardened. They weigh and flex just like well made originals.

(Shown here with my temporary sewn-in wool mittens that will be replaced with leather gloves in the future. The straps are put (by my initiative) "backwards" as this lessens the risk of them cracking when the outer layer is worn.)

[ Linked Image ]

[ Linked Image ]

[ Linked Image ]

[ Linked Image ]

[ Linked Image ]

[ Linked Image ]

[ Linked Image ]

[ Linked Image ]

[ Linked Image ]



Link to a high-res pic for a view of the great 'living' surface;
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/4103/mg2741ov0.jpg

The originals can be seen here;
http://www.beautifuliron.com/gothic.htm

Beautiful work! Very impressive and inspiring.

What can I say ? ....

They look just Right. If you see what I mean :)

Right is the word. Holding these they do not feel like a good reproduction, they actually feel like the real thing, in every aspect. And that is the goal i think.

Those are really stunning! The rolling on the cuffs, the curves, the shaping... I think Fabrice put it best when he said they look right.

Can only agree with you W. Schütz. I have a par that he made for me, they are 2-3 years old by now.



[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]

I can't seem to find Albert Collin's website; can someone post a link?

They look great, how do they fit for the fight?

Does the mitten finger plate allow for enough mobility during training?

Could you suggest a pair of gauntlets for heavy use in WMA training? I relly lke the integrated forarm/hand defense style of these gauntlets, but are they "too nice" for steady training in sparring?

Mike

"They get even better after a couple of hundred hours of use." - Just broken in! :eek:

'Should get me a pair of them velvet gloves, might turn on the wife! :lol: :eek:

Mike