hello, awsome kits everyone! i am not able to post any of mine for the while (lousy computer) :mad: but im trying to but together a 13th cent. kit, possibly crusader. could anyone point me to a nice, ($200 or less) great helm? (if possible, one with that cross decoration thing.(like on ed totons) i need it to be functional (of course). ;) btw, i might be goin for a templar thing. is that blood red standard cross accurate for their order symbol? thanks for your help people! :D :D :D

I bet you'd get a better response with a new thread Nathan Quarantillo, please don't take this as being rude but you'd attract more people who know about these things in your own thread. I hope you get the anwsers you are looking for! :D

yes, true. sorry, didnt mean to accidentally possibly derail the thread. i figured the size and the "fun" aspect of this thread would make it a good spot to post that. my bad, noob move. srry. (although i did get answers, so yay!) :lol: :lol: :lol:

Where my kit is at, at the moment. A little more to be done yet. But at least it isn't stupidly shiney :D

Edit: Yeah! 500th post in this thread! Woo! :p

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Getting closer...

These pics and more, will be in another thread made as a tribute to Allan Senefelder at the Merc Tailor, though as an update to this thread; here is my new harness and arms by the Merc Tailor (All plate worn is made by Allan) Thank you all on this forum, it was from a thread long ago I was encouraged to get the Harness before the helm, and I sure am glad I went that route. And many thanks to Allan!







P.S. just noted, some tweaks I need to make to the voiders on the leggings. I am always making little adjustments to my kit. And I know, I know, I need to buy some historical shoes/boots. As a side note, what would be your thought If I simply put maile over my boots? Historicaly innacurate or plausable with the kit?

Save until you have $100 bucks and get something more or less right from any of a number of vendors and I think you will be happier in the long run. Mail over the modern boots is apt to look a bit clumsy in my opinion.

An updated photo of my early 14th kit, with my new custom banner from Dirk & Arrow

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(clicky)

Note: Yes, I'm aware of the fact that the ankh or "crux ansata" is not really a period heraldic device, however it was borrowed by early christians before the use of the modern cross, and was used well into the medieval period as well. It's a consciously done fudging. :)

Well... I've been watching this thread since forever ago (or at least 2008 :) ), admiring everyone else's kit. Always been skittish about posting, since I don't actually have a harness--that concept is a bit anachronistic to my period of interest, I think. But even so, I'm still woefully lacking in war gear: no spear! No helm! A sword, but no scabbard! I'd make a terrible Viking, but might have some success as a trader? But I have had quite a bit of fun collecting soft kit, which really isn't any cheaper than the pointy stuff.

Anyway, I was bored the other day, and on a whim took some photos. I'm terribly unphotogenic, but I want to join this thread anyway. A couple photos actually turned out decent, so here's my kit, plus one rogue stalk of grass. But no harness :)

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And if that doesn't scare you off, a couple of other decent photos can be seen here and here.

Sorry for breaking the theme! :blush:

Well the previous post has my full suit and with all that steel you cannot see the under lying attire. I have added a type of code piece of maille to my kit. Also here is the first layer of my kit. The maille is hand made by I (nothing historically accurate. 12gauge Stainless Steel, 3/8 I.D., Hand wound and hand saw cut every ring, butted) The Arming jacket and leggings are hand sew'n by I. The Arms were machine sew'n.

With the jacket that I have, It fits to a "T" and hugs my hips wonderfully. The weight of the entire kit is evenly distributed throught my body. And that makes a world of difference from my first arming vest, of which all the weight pulled on the shoulders. Plus, no need of a belt to suspend anything. I had tried a belt at one time to suspend the leggings, and the belt dug into my hips and left me with a red marks for a week. I cannot stress enough of the importance of a properly fitted arming vest/jacket.

(P.S. pictures taken at work with the timer on the camera)

So I have bided my time, and although my harness is now far from complete I can't help but show my new leg armour:

They are spring steel made by st george armouries in England (where I live). Based on the avant armour, they have slightly smaller wings at my request. They form the first part of my italian export jousting harness. My arming doublet is in the planning stage and when it is stitched I shall commission a cuirass to go with this harness.

Enough chat:

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Zac, that is gorgeous armour you have there! superb on the spring steel. Just notmy personal taste, too shiny.

It looks as though you have a great fit. I was wondering did you request the color red for straps? Good look, I bet your nearly drooling over your next purchase. I know my breast and backplate was the dream come true for me.

And also, I was wondering where you bought those shoes. They look like a great addition I may need to make. Thanks for the help.

Decided to post my kit here too. It is not historically very accurate, but it does protect pretty well and that is just what it was made for: full contact combat with steel blunts. The whole armor was made by myself. I am constantly working on improving this kit aiming for less weight but same or better protection and better historical accuraqcy. Currently I am working on a pig face visor for my bascinet.

My current incarnation of the Vendel period warrior in action.

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Artis, is the human knee SUPPOSED to bend that way? heheheh