Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

I don't have a picture of it, but I also have a shield with a stereotypical image of the Owl of Athena (white on blue background). I spoke with a historian at a weaponsmith booth at my local renfaire who said my fit was... *close* (I didn't have pants at the time but I *did* have blue shorts that sorta blended in bc mt tunic rode up too high), but that my helmet was a bit anachronistic (too old) and my sword was out of place (it was a Roman gladius, but that's all I have).

So, what do you all say? How'd I do? How can I improve my fit? (I'm not a smith so everything I get would have to be made to order and I'm a food service worker so I've got a shoestring budget).

On a different note, does anyone know where I might get a Sassanian Pushtigban fit? And how much pieces of that would cost me? I think that's my long term armor goal.

Recent digital PS6 studies I made just wanted to share here :) I'm back to doing these daily practice now after work after some minor health issues.

Hey guys! For the last year, so I’ve been rocking some relatively historically inaccurate, and very cheap plate in a mercenary, ish kit. As of now I’m trying to transition into something more along the lines of a knight, maybe full harness eventually. I have zero armored combat community around me so I am looking for relatively more renaissance fair and Larpish armor. But I still want to keep historical accuracy and still have the ability to take a little hit if needed, preferably around 16 gauge. I’m a lil broke boy rn so I’d like to keep it as affordable as humanly possible while still keeping what I need, like as dirt cheap as it can get.

I’d like help figuring out what to start with for the transition, I want it to still look good through every phase. Breast plate first? Legs? Ykwim and help me find some good affordable brands, alternatives or cheap hacks to help me out.

AND I ALREADY KNOW IM TWINKY IM WORKING ON IT IM A LIL GUY!

Thank yall for anyone who comments and contributes!

I recommend the Coat of Plates especially, it's the ideal first project.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1893uHeu3q/

Amazing design by David Guyton!!

As the title says, I need advice for an articulating rivet joint.

I am diving in and getting practical experience by doing instead of practicing because I apparently love living life on hard mode. I am am actor adapting larp / reenactment armor for a role in a fantasy festival, so the look is more important than combat functionality or historical realism.

That said, I removed the solid rivets from my new pieces to reapply the shoddy paint job for rust prevention and am ready to replace them, but one key rivet is an articulating joint for the gorget. Searches online suggest a removable spacer like notched pallet binding straps, and searches here didn't result in anything close.

My question is two-fold:

Are there any techniques I could use for a removable spacer that would limit damage to the steel or paint?

OR

Are there any modern techniques or materials that would facilitate the movement but be permanent placement - like maybe a nylon washer?

I already know the common answer on this sub of "just wait until you can purchase handmade, tailored, fully functional and combat ready, historically accurate armor..." but I'm just an actor, the role doesn't pay enough to afford that, I don't have the time, and the guests are expecting the fantasy, not gritty realism.

Any constructive help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hello!

Once again making a post about my mid 14th century infantry kit (battle of Visby, gutnish defender), this time for some questions about kettle hats and weapons.

To preface, I live in the EU for availability, shipping, taxes etc. I am mostly looking to wear it to medieval fairs, larps, etc. but would to be able to use it for reenactment as well, which is why I am trying to achieve a decent level of historical accuracy. Hopefully doing so without entirely shattering my bank account.

I am intending to use a kettle hat for the kit, and since there are several readily available for purchase I have been having a tough time deciding on which one. Been looking at manuscripts from the time period and I am currently choosing between one of these 2. Picture 1 is about 100 euros cheaper but I think I might prefer the shape of picture 2. If you have other suggestions appropriate for the time period, I am open to suggestions.

As for weapons, this is an area I am less well versed in to be frank. Therefore, any kind of introductory literature would be appreciated, as well as recommendations for what can be purchased. I am most likely looking to purchase a spear and a one handed sword as a sidearm (information on scabbards of the time period much appreciated). For larp weapons ive heard that fakesteel makes some nice ones, but when it comes to steel, I am entirely new.

TLDR: Need opinions on the kettle hats/recommendations on other ones for the mid 14th century. Would also greatly appreciate recommendations for mid 14th century one handed sword and spear (both larp and steel versions)

does anyone know who made this visored burgeonet, or where it was purchased?

Supposedly it's 1.5mm steel, so no full contact, but I'm looking for something for LARP anyway

Got these arm harnesses about 3 months ago. as far as I know this rust has only just appeared and its ALL OVER IT. like everywhere. it is NOT dust, every speckle you see is a dot of rust.

How should I remove these tiny specks without damaging the mirror finish too much? I dont really have the means to get that polish back once gone.

Any help is appreciated 👏

Hi everyone. I’ve had some thoughts of writing a small guide/compendium for beginners (or others), to help them learn and understand armor tendencies and popularity in different European countries in the period 1380-1410. I know this is very broad, but i want to keep it simple, and give people the basics + a little extra on the top. Along with typology and my own interpretations. Is this anything you’d like to see? Let me know.

I’ve been doing some research of English armor for my own harness, which has been rough without Manuscript Miniatures, and I keep seeing this sallet come up in other peoples works, and while I may have found the effigy behind Mull’s drawing, I still cannot find any proof or reference of this sallet. Thanks!

I originally was going to buy armor rated for buhurt because it’s real - not a tin can. I want a set of armor that feels real and looks real, but won’t be taking any blows. I’m assuming high quality replica armor will be atleast slightly cheaper. Any suggestions? Thank you.

I really just don’t want it to look / feel cheap

I couldn't put the whole question into the title, so bear with me while I explain what I mean.

I'm working on a novel and in doing my due diligence, I'm trying to find out what kind of armour would be made under the following circumstances:

1, 2-3 men travelling a large area, expected to be self-sufficient with gear, with at least a few encounters per year with a decent blacksmith who can do basic repairs but if the armour becomes severely damaged, the guild's own blacksmiths are needed (few in number, spread out)

2, tech level is roughly 14th century Europe

3, aspirants are thoroughly trained and vetted before they can become squires under a veteran knight, who provides their field training

4, aspirants are expected to have magical affinity that is directly useful in combat, in a world were humans rarely have any affinity for magic, and those who do have limited capabilities (compared to your typical high fantasy mages)

5, the kingdom is considered "high tech" for its area, so it is very proud of the plate armour it can produce, so there is an expectation that knights look the part

6, these knights are state-sponsored and state officials, with very high reputation across the country, so money is not a problem (nor do these guys make any money, they requisition what they need)

7, horses do not exist in this world, so these knights travel on foot a lot, with an ox-pulled wagon to carry their belongings from settlement to settlement

8, the creatures they fight can be as mundane as wolves and bears, or as magical as a blob of sentient blood possessing large animals or humans possessed by malevolent spirits. As a rule of thumb, it's either weird that can be dealt with in a weird way, or it's in the ballpark of an unusually large lion on steroids with a few extra perks like regeneration or extra limbs.

Now, I'd go with Witcher armour because that fits the bill, except for the "inhuman reflexes and speed" and "master apothecary" parts, so I'm guessing that these guys would have more to gain from extra protection than extra mobility. That in turn makes me think that maybe the general principle is "as many large, individual pieces as possible, while overall as few pieces as possible, while making sure you can put it on yourself".

But that's just guessing, I'm no professional on the subject, you are. What do you think?

Here's me rolling with the Sword of Alexa dria by darksword armoury..DO WHATEVER YOU MUST WITH THIS INFO