Hi all, I'm looking for armorer recommendation for a historically accurate cabasset helmet and accompanying gorget.

I've had bad experiences that have run over the last two+ years with part time, hobbyist armorers and am looking to commission work from someone with business sense that can produce work on time and with quality.

I'm located in the central United States and, while I'd prefer someone in the US (or even closer that I could get an in-person fitting with), I'd consider reputable armorers from Europe, too.

Not sure where to begin looking, so I'd appreciate some recommendations!

I would recomend Tomala:

http://www.tomala.lublin.pl/index.php?strona=...mp;lng=eng

He lives and works in Poland .You will get the helmet in an outstanding qualitiy and he delivers on time, but he has a lot of clients, so the helmet will be done at the end of 2018 or 2019. The helmet will be accurate, he's working for reenactors.

Peter Fuller out of Canada. Working with him for 20 years. Very nice pieces. Very strong.


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Thanks guys; I'll reach out to them.

Will,
As far as armorers go you could also check out Jeff Hedgecock at Historic Enterprises. He is in Southern California. There is also Jeff Wasson in the US. There is Eric Dube in Canada. Also look at White Rose Armoury, Greenleaf workshop, and Englysh plate armourie.
Hope this gives you some options!

Thanks for the reccos, Chris.

So far, here's what I'm hearing.

Jeffery Hedgecock's backlog is enough that he's not taking on new project right now.

Same thing with Dave Demers (Aesir, Arizona) and Steven Hill (Missouri).

Peter Fuller is convalescing from shoulder surgery, so he's out for the moment.

Got emails out to some of the others in North America that Chris recommended, so we'll see.

This has been two and a half years and two false starts trying to get this project off the ground. It's frustrating.

Hey guys,

Some months later, and I'm still looking.

Is there anyone else I should be reaching out to?

I must admit I'm starting to get fairly despondent about my prospects of ever getting this project off the ground here...

Eric Dubé is still active. I just saw a few pictures of his current project, which he publishes on his site as he goes along. He's been in the business since the late eighties and has made some fine pieces. No hesitation in recommending him.

Take a look at Georges Jolliot's work.
He just made a nice Polish huzaar helmet.
https://www.facebook.com/georges.jolliot/posts/10216557423675213

He is French but speaks fluent English.

Two guys I'd recommend are Josh Davis of Davis Reproductions (https://davisreproductions.com/) and John Gruber of Surly Anvil (http://www.surlyanvil.com/) Both have waiting lists, but they are very communicative and their customer service is top notch (something that, sadly, is rare for armorers).

Josh Davis, who used to work at Arms and Armor, makes all kinds of medieval reproductions (from swords to wooden boxes), and his level of research and his attention to detail is top notch. He made most of my gothic harness, and it is incredible. He's located in Minnesota.

Gruber of Surly Anvil has been around for a very long time and is very experienced. He made my gothic cuirass, and has done a number of small projects for me, and has always been highly reliable. He's in NC.

You can get a good sense of their abilities on the pictures of their websites.