[Mark Moore]

I recently purchased a nasal helm....nothing fancy just a 'beater' helm. I would like to dress it up a bit by adding an aventail. I've looked at different ones, but they are mostly the type that wrap completely around and cover the throat. I'm looking for a simple 'drape' that covers the back of the neck and maybe hangs over the shoulders. In other words, wrapping about 2/3 around the helm, and leaving the whole front open. I also want it riveted, as butted tends to fall apart with the slightest tug. Having it attached to a leather band would be great, so I could just glue it in and maybe have a few rivets for good measure. Does anyone know of such(?), or would I have to have one custom made? Any thoughts would be appreciated.....McM

[Harry Marinakis]

Try All Best Stuff to see if they have what you're looking for.

As a last resort, buy a full-size mail coif and cut it down to whatever you want.

Glue is not going to hold up.

[Mark Moore]

Thanks for the input, Harry. I just hate the idea of cutting up a perfectly good coif. I'm aware that glue alone will not be a permanent fix, but it will hold long enough to get some rivets in. Peel back a liner just a smidge on most any production repro helm and there will be glue, I can almost guarantee. Thanks again............McM

[Mark Moore]

Hmmm.....I looked at 'All Best Stuff'. I believe I'll have to pass on them. I know a great majority of 'off the shelf' mail is India-made these days, including GDFB and Lord of Battles. Their prices are just a little too good to be all that. I MIGHT, however, take a chance on some of their sheet mail. According to them, they will make a plain sheet to your dimensions in the mail type you want. We'll see. No gamble, no gain. The helm I got is an India-made cheapo, but I am VERY surprised at the quality of it. It's only 18 ga. with a 20 ga. nasal, but I don't plan on taking an axe or sword blade to the noggin any time soon! ....McM

[Harry Marinakis]

My friends and I have made numerous purchases from All Best Stuff and we are all very satisfied
ABS mail seems identical to the GDFB mail that I bought from KOA at twice the price

[Mark Moore]

Okay, Harry.....I respect your opinion. Maybe I'll give it a shot. At least I wouldn't have much to lose. While we're on the subject....Where could one find dome headed rivets that would be flat on the inside, long enough to go through steel, mail, then leather? I have very limited experience with rivets, other than pop-rivets and cutlers rivets. I've had a few items that were riveted come apart, so I want something strong. ................McM

[Mark Moore]

I will also be adding a leather chin strap to the helm. It has nothing....unlined....just a 'metal bucket'. As far as a liner goes, if the helm has a chin strap, I would be fine with a lightly padded arming coif, which I have. ...........McM

[Shawn Henthorn]

If you want copper or brass then Tandy Leather is the easiest. Otherwise I have gotten a ton of steel rivets from this guy over the years
http://stores.ebay.com/Loveduck-Leather-and-R...b=10561183

[Mark Moore]

Thanks, Shawn......The link you sent me seems to have just what I need. I appreciate that very much of you!....I'll wait until I have some mail and a chinstrap before I order the rivets. I can get steel washers anywhere as backing on the leather. That way, I can be sure to get them long enough. Seems like the 3/4'' long dome heads ought to work fine. Thanks again....McM

[Mark Moore]

And look what just popped up in 'new additions' on Kult of Athena! Your guy has a lot better selection, and cheaper prices and shipping!...........McM

[Shawn Henthorn]

No problem...one thing I noticed about the ones on KoA is they appear to be rough cast...all the rivets I have received from Love Duck have been tooled and are very clean

[Mark Moore]

Yeah, Shawn.....I'll go with your guy. May get some of the longer ones for knifemaking. I've already got enough stuff with foreign-made crappy rivets and construction. Thanks again for the link!...........McM