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Armouring and Metalworking

 

Cobham Armour

The Complete Late 14th Century Armour-- A manual for the authentic construction of a complete suit of 14th century plate armour. This book contains the complete, unabridged text, patterns and photos of nine of the book in the Techniques of Construction series. Include in this single volume are the following titles:

The Von Prankh Great HelmThe Von Prankh Barrel Helm
Bascinet
Late 14th Century Bascinet
Side Pivoted Pig Faced Bascinet VisorA Side-Pivoted Pig Faced Bascinet Visor
A Globose Cuirass Circa 1390-1420
A Globose Cuirass Circa 1390-1420
Robert Swinbourne Arm HarnessRobert Swinbourne Arm Harness
14th Century Hourglass Gauntlets
14th Century Hourglass Gauntlets
John Beauchamp Leg HarnessJohn Beauchamp Leg Harness
Chartres GreavesChartres Greaves
Chartres SabatonsChartres Sabatons

Purchased separately this collection would cost $58.00. You can purchase this 188 page book for only $50.00!  This booklet is also available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $40.00 ($10.00 off!) 

 

The Von Prankh Great Helm

The Von Prankh Barrel Helm-- A manual for the authentic construction of a 14th century great helm. The 2004 edition is loaded with over 20 color photographs showing every step on the way. This booklet contains complete instructions and patterns.  $6.00.  This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!) An over 30 minute CD-Rom movie demonstrating every single step in the process of making this helm is also available.

 

Purchase the Print or PDF manual above. You will need it!

 
Bascinet

Bascinet

Late 14th Century Bascinet--A manual for the construction of a late 14th Century German bascinet. This booklet is loaded with color photographs of every step in the process. This booklet comes complete with detailed instructions for the construction of both a reenactment and an SCA combat version of the helmet complete with a grill faced visor.  $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  Please take a look at the additional visor patterns available below.   

This item appears in the book The Peel Affinity

Side Pivoted Pig Faced Bascinet Visor A Side-Pivoted Pig Faced Bascinet Visor-- A manual for the authentic construction of a 14th century North Italian visor for a bascinet like the one above. This booklet contains complete instructions, patterns and is packed with color photographs showing every step on the way. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  

Klappvisier Mounted Pig Faced Bascinet Visor A Klappvisier Mounted Pig Faced Bascinet Visor-- A manual for the authentic construction of a 14th century  visor for a bascinet like the one above. This booklet contains complete instructions, patterns and is packed with color photographs showing every step on the way. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  

This item appears in the book The Peel Affinity

Klappvisier Mounted Round Faced Bascinet Visor

A Klappvisier Mounted Round Faced Bascinet Visor-- A manual for the authentic construction of a 14th century German round faced visor for a bascinet like the one above. This booklet contains complete instructions, patterns and is packed with color photographs showing every step on the way. It comes with instructions and patterns for both a reenactment and an SCA combat version of the visor. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  

This item appears in the book The Peel Affinity

BascinetSide Pivoted Pig Faced Bascinet Visor

Klappvisier Mounted Round Faced Bascinet VisorKlappvisier Mounted Pig Faced Bascinet Visor

The Complete Bascinet-- A manual for the authentic construction of a 14th century bascinet and five styles of visors. This booklet contains the complete text photographs and patterns from the preceding four volumes. $20.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $15.00 (This represents an $9.00 savings over buying the individual printed books!) 

 
14th Century Globose Breastplate A 14th Century Globose Breastplate--A manual for the construction of a 14th century Globose breastplate similar to the one preserved in Castle Churburg and to the one formerly in the Gwynn collection. This booklet comes complete with detailed instructions and full sized patterns. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  

This item appears in the book The Peel Affinity

 

A Globose Cuirass Circa 1390-1420 A Globose Cuirass Circa 1390-1420-- A manual for the authentic construction of a late 14th or early 15th century cuirass complete with globose breastplate, back plate and fauld. This pattern set discusses how to adapt the cuirass for the different periods ranging from the 1370s through the 1420s. This booklet contains complete instructions, patterns and is packed with photographs showing every step on the way. $8.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $7.00 ($1.00 off!)  

 

14th Century Sapulders 14th Century Spaulders--A manual for the construction of a pair of 14th Century shoulder defenses. This booklet comes complete with detailed instructions for the construction two different styles of 14th Century spaulders based on the monumental brasses of Sir John de Argentine and Sir Thomas Cheyne. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.  Available directly on the web for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)    

The Churburg Arm Harness The Churburg Arm Harness-- A manual for the authentic construction of a 14th century arm harness. The 2007 edition is loaded with color photographs showing every step on the way. This booklet contains complete instructions and patterns. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.  Available directly on the web for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  An over 30 minute CD-Rom movie demonstrating every single step in the process of making this arm is also available.  

Purchase the Print or PDF manual above. You will need it!

A Late 14th Century English Arm Harness [IMAGE]Thomas Beauchamp Arm Harness-- A manual for the authentic construction of a 14th century English arm harness with integrated shoulder defense based on the 1369 effigy of Sir Thomas Beauchamp. This arm harness has a rerebrace that is open on the inside of the biceps.  This title replaces A Late 14th Century English Arm Harness. This booklet contains complete instructions, patterns and is packed with color photographs showing every step on the way. $8.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $7.00 ($1.00 off!)

This item appears in the book The Peel Affinity

 

 

Robert Swinbourne Arm Harness [IMAGE]Robert Swinbourne Arm Harness-- A manual for the authentic construction of a 14th century English arm harness with integrated shoulder defense. This example has a fully encased rerebrace. It is based on the 1391 monumental brass of Sir Robert Swinbourne. This is the quintessential 14th century arm harness. This booklet contains complete instructions, patterns and is packed with color photographs showing every step on the way. $8.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $7.00 ($1.00 off!)  

 

Chartres Arm Harness

Chartres Arm Harness

[IMAGE]Chartres Arm Harness-- A manual for the authentic construction of a 14th century French arm harness based on a surviving example preserved in Chartres Cathedral made for Charles VI when he was Dauphin of France. The arm harness has and integrated shoulder defense and is entire floating construction requiring no articulation. This booklet contains complete instructions, patterns and is packed with color photographs showing every step on the way. $8.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $7.00 ($1.00 off!)  

 

Splinted Arm Harness

Roundel

A 14th Century Splinted Arm Harness--A manual for the construction of a mid 14th Century splinted arm harness. Included are detailed instructions for both construction and elaborate embellishment. This booklet is loaded with color photographs of many steps in the process as well as a link to a short whimsical movie relating to this arm harness. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.  Available directly on the web for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)    

 
14th Century Hourglass Gauntlets 14th Century Hourglass Gauntlets--A profusely illustrated manual for the construction of a pair of 14th century hourglass gauntlets with authentically styled fingers. This booklet contains over 25 detailed photographs documenting every step of the process and comes complete with detailed instructions as well as full sized patterns. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  This item appears in the book The Peel Affinity

The 14th Century Leg Harness [IMAGE]Late 14th Century Leg Harness--A manual for the construction of a 14th century Italian leg harness now preserved in a private English collection. This booklet contains complete instructions and patterns. $6.00. Now the new 2008 third edition is packed with new photographs and new information. It is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!) 

 
John Beauchamp Leg Harness [IMAGE]John Beauchamp Leg Harness--A manual for the construction of a 14th century English leg harness based on the 1388 effigy of Sir John Beauchamp. This is the quintessential 14th century leg harness. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format directly on the web for $5.00 ($1.00 off!) 

 
Chartres Greaves [IMAGE]Chartres Greaves-- A manual for the authentic construction of a pair of 14th century French greaves based on a surviving example preserved in Chartres Cathedral made for Charles VI when he was Dauphin of France. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format directly on the web for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)

 
Chartres Sabatons Chartres Sabatons [IMAGE]Chartres Sabatons-- A manual for the authentic construction of a pair of 14th century French sabatons based on a surviving example preserved in Chartres Cathedral made for Charles VI when he was Dauphin of France. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format directly on the web for $5.00 ($1.00 off!) 

 
The d'Aubernon Leg Harness The d'Aubernon Leg Harness--A profusely illustrated manual for the construction of mid 14th century leg harness based on the effigy of Sir John d'Auberon. The leg harness includes knee defenses, greaves and sabatons gloriously decorated with elaborate brass edging. This booklet is packed with detailed color photographs documenting every step of the process and comes complete with detailed instructions as well as full sized patterns. This booklet contains everything you need to learn to build either a living history version or SCA combat version of the leg armour. $9.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $8.00 ($1.00 off!)  

 

The d'Aubernon Arm Harness The d'Aubernon Arm Harness--A  profusely illustrated manual for the construction of mid 14th century arm harness based on the effigy of Sir John d'Auberon. The arm harness includes arm defenses, besagues and two different forms of shoulder protection  gloriously decorated with elaborate brass edging. This booklet is packed with detailed color photographs documenting every step of the process and comes complete with detailed instructions as well as full sized patterns. This booklet contains everything you need to learn to build either a living history version or SCA combat version of the arm harness. $9.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $8.00 ($1.00 off!)  

The d'Aubernon Bascinet The d'Aubernon Bascinet--A profusely illustrated manual for the construction of an elaborate mid 14th century bascinet based on the effigy of Sir John d'Auberon. The bascinet features vertical creases running downward from the apes as well as an applied brass cruciform cap plate. This booklet is packed with detailed color photographs documenting every step of the process and comes complete with detailed instructions as well as full sized patterns. This booklet contains two sets of patterns for either a living history version or SCA combat version of the bascinet with a grill faced visor. $8.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $7.00 ($1.00 off!)  

The effigy of Sir John d'Aubernon The Complete d'Aubernon Armour--

This booklet contains the complete text patterns and photos from the previous three manuals thus allowing you to construct a complete suit of English armour circa 1340-1345. Over 75 pages long! $25.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $20.00 (This represents an $7.00 savings over buying the individual printed books!)

 
An Early 14th Century Sugarloaf Helm An Early 14th Century Sugarloaf Helm--A manual for the construction of an early 14th century sugarloaf helm. This booklet comes complete with detailed instructions and full sized patterns. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  

 
Crusader's Pot Helm A Crusader's Pot Helm--A manual for the construction of a Crusader's pot helm, circa 1185-1250. This booklet comes complete with detailed instructions for the construction of both a reenactment and an SCA combat version of the helmet. It contains full sized patterns and the PDF version has both color and black and white photographs.  $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)

 
The Coppergate Helm The Coppergate Helm-- A manual for the construction of an 8th century Anglo-Saxon Helmet. This booklet comes complete with detailed instructions for the construction of both a reenactment and an SCA combat version of the helmet. It contains full sized patterns and the PDF version has several color photographs. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  

 
The Valsgarde 5 Helm

The Valsgarde 5 Helm

The Valsgärde 5 Helm-- A manual for the construction of an 7th century Swedish Helmet. This booklet comes complete with detailed instructions for the construction of both a reenactment and an SCA combat version of the helmet. It contains full sized patterns and the PDF version has numerous color photographs. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  

 
Brigandine Gorget A Brigandine Gorget-- A manual for the construction of an extremely comfortable leather covered gorget. This booklet comes complete with detailed instructions and full sized patterns. $6.00. This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  

 
Tips, Techniques, Tools, Sources & Resources for the Armourer Tips, Techniques, Tools, Sources & Resources for the Armourer-- A group of useful tidbits designed to improve your armouring ability $6.00 This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)

 

 
Journal of the Armour Research Society

Journal of the Armour Research Society. Volume I, 2005

  • Foreword by Dirk H. Breiding, Assistant Curator of Arms and Armour, The Metropolitan Museum, NY, NY.

  • Observations on Armour Depicted on Three mid-15th Century Military Effigies in the Kirk of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen by Tobias Capwell, Curator of Arms and Armour, Glasgow Museums, Scotland
  • The Armourers of Cologne: The Organization and Export Markets of a Foremost European Armour-making Center (1391-1660) by Pierre Terjanian, Associate Curator of Arms and Armour, Philadelphia Museum of Art

  • The Treatment of Mail on an Arm Guard from the Armoury of Shah Shuja: Ethical Repair and in situ Documentation in Miniature by Simon Metcalf, Queen's Armourer, St. James Palace, UK

  • The Glancing Surface and Its Effect on 14th Century Armour by Douglas W. Strong, 

  • Armour Purchases and Lists in the Howard Household Accounts: Part II by Robert W. Reed, Jr., 

 

 

Midwest Armourer's Guild
April 13th, 2004. Milwaukee Wisconsin

 

We now have the following videos from the April 2004 Armour Guild session available online for free. These are scaled down versions of the Full Digital Videos available on DVD. 

Basic Fluting (Online Version) -presented by Aaron Toman. This is an excellent video with instruction on how to set and dress flutes using a hammer and fluting/creasing stake.
Hot Raising a Greave (Online Version) - presented by Aaron Toman. This video does an excellent job demonstrating the steps necessary to get the basic shape of a greave by hot raising.
The techniques demonstrated can easily be applied to the shaping of just about anything requiring compound shapes.

Hot Raising an Hourglass Gauntlet (DVD Only - 50 minutes!) - Presented by Aaron Toman and Chuck Davis. The following subjects, above and beyond the actual raising of the gaunt are covered:
- Proper torch setting w/ rosebud tip
- Raising hammers
- Hammering technique and tips
- As well as much, much more....

This gauntlet video alone contains over 50 minutes of succulent armour raising goodness! Guaranteed to make your mouth water.

What?! You missed the April 2004 MAG Session? You can order the video and get ALL THREE VIDEOS for one low price of $20.00! This is your chance to be there... right at home... while we show you the basics necessary to make make perfect fluting, raise the basic shape for a greave AND shape an hourglass gauntlet by using the much desired technique of raising!. This video plays beautifully on your television in full digital quality!


The Midwest Armourer's guild is now part of the Armour Research Society.. All funds for this go to support future ARS sessions.

Midwest Armourer's Guild
January 29th, 2005. Burlington Wisconsin

 

Volume I: An Introduction to Toolmaking - Presented by Joe Staley of The Upper Midwest Blacksmith Association. This video teachers all the basic techniques of the construction of tools. I includes free and low-cost sources of tool steel as well as the hardening and tempering of the tools.

Volume II: An Early 16th Century Garniture - Presented by Duane Wilkey. This video presents a beautiful circa 1506 garniture with all the exchange pieces for the joust. The garniture was made by the Master Armourer Robert MacPherson. In addition to the assembly of the armour and the full exchange of the harness for multiple forms of combat there is a selection of nearly 100 high detail photographs of the armour--inside and out. 

Volume III: Hardened Leather Armour - Presented by Dan Houchins of House of the Wolf Leather. This video teaches revolutionary techniques of the construction of hardened leather armour. Of particular not is Dan's work on a reproduction of a surviving 14th century arm defense from the British Museum. 

These videos play beautifully on your television in full digital quality!

The Midwest Armourer's guild is now part of the Armour Research Society. All funds for these videos go to support future ARS sessions.

 

Patrick Thaden Raising a Sallet

2 volume set!

 

[IMAGE]This video was shot on a whim. Patrick Thaden, Brain Rainey and Doug Strong were hanging out together before an Armour Research Society hands-on workshop. They got the idea to see how quickly Patrick could raise a sallet form a single piece of steel. They dug out the digital video camera, set it on a tripod and let it roll.  They found a 20+ year old piece of rusty 14 gauge steel (of indeterminate carbon content) and cut out a 16 inch circle. Why 16 inches you ask? Because that was the size of a big mixing bowl Doug had lying in his shop and they could trace its perimeter easily. 

Patrick worked on it for two days before calling it quits. The total amount of time spent actually hammering on and heating the piece was something like 4 hours. About half of the time was spent in the heating process. The video is a complete record of nearly every hammer blow thrown. A total of about 5 minutes of hammering time has been edited out of the footage. Much of the heating time was edited out for the sake of time.

When he had finished he has produced a small Mid-15th century Italian archers sallet similar to an example found at the lost arsenal of Chalcis on the Island of Euboea, Greece. It is complete with face a opening and tail created without any cutting or trimming of the metal at all. All the metal was moved with the hammer in the raising process.

All of Patrick’s commentary on how and why things were done has been retained in its entirety. Along with this is quite a bit of highly important and deep philosophical chatter about armour, tools, history, rock music, favorite drinks and all the sort of things that three guys talk about when hitting hot metal with a hammer for 2 days. Some of it is quite interesting and enlightening some of it is… well, you decide.

 

These videos play beautifully on your television in full digital quality!

 

   

 

 

 

 

Candle Stick

Medieval Brass Casting-- A manual for casting high temperature metals including brass, bronze, silver and gold. This booklet contains complete instructions for casting brass objects. Also included is a section on the history of brass casting in the middle ages and pictures of many authentic artifacts cast in the middle ages. The booklet teaches both the process of casting as well as how to build the brass melting furnace and molds for a minimum of money. This volume is fully illustrated with photographs. $7.00 This booklet is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $6.00 ($1.00 off!) The accompanying 25 minute video shows the entire casting process in crystal clear digital quality.   

The candlesticks to the left appear in the book The Peel Affinity

 
Pewter Casting for Next to Nothing

A cast pewter Thor's Hammer

Pewter Casting for Next to Nothing-- A manual for basic pewter casting of jewelry and small metal parts. This booklet contains complete instructions for casting pewter objects in several mediums including heat vulcanized rubber, room temperature vulcanizing rubber and stone molds. Also included is a section on the history of pewter casting in the middle ages. Anyone can employ these techniques for almost no money and only minimal skills. $6.00 Now the new 2000 edition is in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. This new edition is complete with a brand new section on stone molds for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)  

 

Etching Metal for Fun and Profit

An acid etched copy of the Fuller Brooch

 

Etching Metal for Fun and Profit--A manual to teach the basics of acid etching for jewelry. (The techniques could also be used for armour.) This booklet contains complete instructions to teach anyone how to etch metal. Included are techniques that will work on brass bronze, iron, steel, copper, aluminum and more. Also included is a section on the history of acid etching in the middle ages and renaissance. Anyone can employ these techniques for almost no money and only minimal skills. $6.00 Now the new 2000 edition is in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format for $5.00 ($1.00 off!)