I know that it's been a bit slow recently as far as new kit is concerned, probably for some very obvious reasons, so I thought that I would share a few smaller custom and semi-custom pieces that I've received in the last couple of months and see if anyone has any thoughts about them.
First up, 2 patterned spearheads from Hector Cole. I mentioned before christmas that I was planning on getting in touch with Hector about getting some work done and these are the result. Both are based on spearheads found in the Thames near Kempsford, and which are now in the museum in Swindon. So pieces that Hector is very familiar with as he is based in Wiltshire not far from where they were found. And not far from the museum either.
Secondly, a couple of re-worked hilts that Tod has done for me. The sword is an Albion Clontarf which Tod had already made a scabbard for and I've always felt that the hilt left something to be desired. I love the blade on this one, but I've never really liked the standard leather grip/cast pommel and so I asked Tod if he could make a new wooden grip and a two piece pommel with silver wire, using the Kilmainham sword as a starting point. The Saex is an Eric McHugh job that I got I couple of years back. Originally it had a red leather grip with a silver ferrule at the blade end, a nickel plate at the other, and a simple scabbard. Like the Clontarf, I've always liked the blade a lot more than the grip, so Tod re-did the hilt in the same style as the sword, and also made a new scabbard for it.
I'm really pleased with the way that these have come out, both individually and as part of a set, which is why I decided to take a couple of pictures of the finished Sword and Saex with a Shield and Helmet that Allan Senefelder sorted out for me towards the end of last year. I also noticed that somebody had asked recently about Mercenary's Tailor with regards to time, and possible levels of customisation, and that also led me to think of these, as neither is quite standard. It's obvious what's been done to the Shield, with the Wessex inspired paint-job. The Helmet was just a question of personal taste, as on the standard model the aventaille is connected to the bottom of the leather liner, whereas I asked for it to be suspended directly from the base of the helmet. The main point is that Allan was quite happy to make this alteration and the end result is the best helmet that I've owned, or seen, to date.
I Hope that people find these pictures interesting,
Cheers,
Darrin.
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![Kempsford spears.JPG](files/kempsford_spears_138.jpg)
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![Clontarf hilt.JPG](files/clontarf_hilt_186.jpg)
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![EricTod Saex.JPG](files/erictod_saex_173.jpg)