"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down."
                -- Mary Pickford

Author Topic: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1  (Read 16879 times)

Sir Rodney

  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Acolyte
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,118
  • Inquit Corvus
    • The Mercenary Company Nevermore
14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« on: 2011-08-25, 16:03:58 »
This project is the result of wanting a pair of historically inspired gauntlets and not having the funds necessary to purchase a pair.

I’ve decided to attempt the Wisby Type 1 finger gauntlets as the period is correct (for me) and they look very interesting.

A photograph of the original and construction tips contained in Techniques of Medieval Armour Reproduction, The 14th Century (TOMAR) will be my guide.
« Last Edit: 2011-08-25, 20:59:31 by Lord Rodney »
"Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say Ni at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history." - Roger the Shrubber

Sir Rodney

  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Acolyte
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,118
  • Inquit Corvus
    • The Mercenary Company Nevermore
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #1 on: 2011-08-25, 16:10:34 »
A careful tracing of my hand will provide the necessary finger measurements.

I’m using 16 gauge mild steel and a (knockoff) Beverly shear.  Each piece is carefully cut and checked against the tracing.
"Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say Ni at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history." - Roger the Shrubber

Sir Rodney

  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Acolyte
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,118
  • Inquit Corvus
    • The Mercenary Company Nevermore
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #2 on: 2011-08-25, 16:16:51 »
The sharp edges are then ground off and a primary sanding is done with 600 grit paper on a drum wheel.

[Always, always, always use proper eye protection, sturdy gloves and proper footware in the shop, especially when grinding.  We've all heard this a million times and yet I've still managed to injure myself many times due to my own stupidity.  It's always that last minute touch up that flings a burr into your eye. :o ]

The finger plates are curled by beating them into a female form (made from ¾ inch pipe cut in half) with a male form (a ½ diameter pipe).

The knuckles plates are formed with a cheap doming block found at Harbor Freight stores.
« Last Edit: 2011-08-25, 21:20:54 by Lord Rodney »
"Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say Ni at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history." - Roger the Shrubber

Sir Rodney

  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Acolyte
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,118
  • Inquit Corvus
    • The Mercenary Company Nevermore
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #3 on: 2011-08-25, 16:19:27 »
Four complete fingers have been formed to date.  I’ll provide updates at each stage of construction.  Enjoy!
"Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say Ni at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history." - Roger the Shrubber

Sir Wolf

  • He Who is Not to be Named
  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 5,389
  • i have too many hats
    • man e faces
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #4 on: 2011-08-25, 16:39:59 »
wow awesome man!

Sir Brian

  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 4,735
  • Felix uxor beatam vitam - Happy Wife Happy Life
    • Order of the Marshal
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #5 on: 2011-08-25, 17:16:34 »
Excellent! Thanks for posting this and can't wait for the rest! Thanks also to Sir Edward for making this child board for these type of instructions! :)
"Chivalry our Strength, Brotherhood our sword"
Vert, on a Chief wavy Argent a Rose Sable,
a Gryphon Segreant Or

[img width=100 height=100]
<a href="http://s221.photobucket.com/user/Tah908/media/LP_Medals_zpsq7zzdvve.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i221.photobucket.

Sir Rodney

  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Acolyte
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,118
  • Inquit Corvus
    • The Mercenary Company Nevermore
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #6 on: 2011-08-25, 20:32:45 »
The finger tips present a special challenge as they must be rolled and then formed to properly overlap the next plate.

I first rolled the finger tip as with the other finger pieces (above).  Next, the tip was placed on a lead block and struck from the inside with a custom ground cold chisel to create the ridge.  Finally, each half of the tip has to be re-rolled as it deforms a bit when struck with the chisel.  Take care to work each side of the ridge independently as to not mar it.

So far my material costs total $0.00 USD.  The steel is courtesy of the amateur armourer’s best friend, an industrial dumpster.  The lead block is an old school dive weight from a now-closed dive shop.  The chisel is a junker I’ve had for years; I just created the curve needed on my grinder.  The ¾ and ½ inch malleable iron pipe is scrap from an old job site.  The doming block set was picked up long ago for about $25 on sale and has more than paid for itself during previous projects.  The knockoff Beverly shears belong to an SCA friend.  My bench vice was a gift from a friend’s father and my 1950's ball peen hammers belonged to my grandfather. :)  My cost tracking assumes you already have the most basic of shop tools (hammers, bench vice, cheap grinder, sandpaper, etc.). 

As an aside, use a lead block to support rivet heads when peening the shank.  This keeps the heads round and pretty.  This method also protects decorative rivet heads if you’re going really fancy.  The head form a nice little dimple in the soft lead as can be seen in the middle of the block.  Contrary to popular belief, lead is your friend.
 ;)
« Last Edit: 2011-08-25, 21:09:41 by Lord Rodney »
"Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say Ni at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history." - Roger the Shrubber

James Barker

  • Forum Member
  • **
  • Posts: 87
    • Historic Life
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #7 on: 2011-08-26, 17:20:10 »
A lead or pewter block for riveting is good but if you have an anvil I found the rivet set tools from Clang are awesome for dome headed rivets and they are not too much. For flat headed Rivets I just rivet right on my anvil.

Sir Rodney

  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Acolyte
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,118
  • Inquit Corvus
    • The Mercenary Company Nevermore
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #8 on: 2011-08-26, 17:46:55 »
Oh yeh!  There are all kinds of tools I'd love to pick up from Clang and Halberds that would make this (and other) projects easier, but I'm tapped out right now.   :(  I'm trying to make these gauntlets as inexpensively as possible.
"Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say Ni at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history." - Roger the Shrubber

James Barker

  • Forum Member
  • **
  • Posts: 87
    • Historic Life
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #9 on: 2011-08-26, 18:01:44 »
The shaping is really nice.

Sir William

  • Cogito ergo sum
  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 7,154
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #10 on: 2011-08-26, 19:31:29 »
This is turning out to be well-wrought, Lord Rodney...look forward to seeing the finished product.
The Black Knight, Order of the Marshal
'Per Pale Azure and Sable, a Chevron counterchanged fimbriated argent.' 
“Pride makes a man, it drives him, it is the shield wall around his reputation.  Men die, but reputation does not.â€

Sir Patrick

  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Acolyte
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,647
  • Nex pro inhonesto, Deus pro totus.
    • The Order of the Marshal
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #11 on: 2011-08-28, 01:00:32 »
More!  More! ;D
Gules, a chevron argent between three cinquefoils ermine.
"Better to live one day as a lion, than a thousand as a lamb."
Knight, Order of the Marshal

Sir Gerard de Rodes

  • "Chivalry our Strength, Brotherhood our sword"
  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Acolyte
  • ****
  • Posts: 816
  • Robor meum Deus
    • The Freemen Of Gwent
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #12 on: 2011-08-28, 10:07:12 »
Looking great so far Lord Rodney.
G.
"War is at first like a beautiful girl with whom all men long to play,but in the end like a repulsive hag whose suitors all weep and ache" Samuel Hanagid (993-1056)

Sir Patrick

  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Acolyte
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,647
  • Nex pro inhonesto, Deus pro totus.
    • The Order of the Marshal
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #13 on: 2014-02-15, 20:21:22 »
OK Lord Rodney, you've been back on the board a few weeks now so you owe us an update. I'm dying to see how this tutorial turns out!
Gules, a chevron argent between three cinquefoils ermine.
"Better to live one day as a lion, than a thousand as a lamb."
Knight, Order of the Marshal

Sir Rodney

  • Knight of the Order
  • Forum Acolyte
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,118
  • Inquit Corvus
    • The Mercenary Company Nevermore
Re: 14th Century Gauntlets - Wisby Type 1
« Reply #14 on: 2014-02-16, 03:07:05 »
They are exactly as they were in my last photograph.   :(

We may actually get above freezing this week (for the first time in MANY weeks) which will allow me to get out to my unheated shop.

I plan on sewing padding for my aventail first.  I have everything but the bamboo batting I want.
"Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say Ni at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history." - Roger the Shrubber