Ed's c.1250-1300 kit(s)

[Allan Senefelder]

Ed. we'll be wrapping everything of yours up this weekend. I'll give you a yell to connect up on the CC info to sqaure up on the B&B and sallet portion and the lot will all head out in the same box week.

[Sir Edward]

Ed. we'll be wrapping everything of yours up this weekend. I'll give you a yell to connect up on the CC info to sqaure up on the B&B and sallet portion and the lot will all head out in the same box week.

Excellent! Sounds great.

*jumping up and down excitedly*

[Sir Edward]

As much as I've complained about leaving the 13th Century and entering the 14th, I'm actually pretty happy with early 14th. In fact, I'm starting to contemplate ideas for improving the arms and legs beyond just the simple mail that the 13th would require of me. Of course, I've started with the Merc's Tailor bits that will be here maybe this week, but soon I'll look into new spaulders, and I will re-evaluate the legs. I could even go with some splinted cuisses or reduce the length of the mail chausses to essentially be mail cuisses, and work in some splinted or simple plate greaves.

BTW, anyone here ever play Stronghold 2 on the computer? Fun little game! Their "swordsmen" are essentially early 14th century knights:



I could even deal with the slightly shorter surcoat, like that, I just need to brainstorm a little.

Just thinking aloud here.

[Sir Brian]

Early to mid-14th Century has always been my favorite and you're right about the surcoat. I can't easily
find my online resources that discussed the variation and development of the surcoat in the middle ages,
but essentially the length of the surcoat become shorter during the 14th C. The next progression point
after the length of mine would have been to become even shorter and much tighter fitting over the
harness by approximately the 1370's. Prior to my 1330 -1350 period the surcoat would've been a
transition between the long and short surcoat. - i.e. short in the front and long in the back, sort of
like the old style tuxedoes with tails!

I'll try harder to find those reference links for you. 

[Allan Senefelder]

Ed, in a moment of tard perfection I ran your box out yesterday and posted it out, got back to the shoppe and saw your helmet and tassets sitting on my bench so they'll be going out today because i'm to stupid to have put them in the box with the rest of your stuff. Appologies.

[Sir Edward]

lol, no problem. Thanks for the head's up so I don't panic when I open the box!

[Sir Edward]

The first box got here today. Man, these are some great parts.



The vambraces are a little big on me, at least on my bare arms, but there are of course some ways to deal with that. I can always cut it down by taking off a splint or two's worth on each. The buckles and straps give me plenty of room to work with. And I can always wear some sort of padding. The fit would be more correct if I were wearing full length sleeves in both a gambeson and the mail. I suppose I could always extend my mail sleeves.

The knees and elbows have a really great leather suspension that keeps them comfortable.

Allan did a really nice job reworking my B&B plates! A lot of the changes are subtle, adding some slot rivets, limiting straps, and some reshaping. I haven't had a chance to put it all on, but I can see just from holding it up to myself that it's a much more appropriate fit than how it was originally made. It should be much more comfortable now!

[Sir Brian]

Looks great! Man I can't believe I have to wait three weeks to see the additions to your harness
in person! 

Oh well that might be the same time that Sir Wolf will make his appearance at the MDRF as well? 

[Allan Senefelder]

I can always cut it down by taking off a splint or two's worth on each.

Ed, thats exactly how they're designed, try them on over everything before making the final call on how many to cut down. Use the edge of the splints as a straight edge and just run an exacto knife down the edge. If you have any questions don't hesitate to give me a yell.

[Sir Brian]

I can always cut it down by taking off a splint or two's worth on each.

Ed, thats exactly how they're designed, try them on over everything before making the final call on how many to cut down. Use the edge of the splints as a straight edge and just run an exacto knife down the edge. If you have any questions don't hesitate to give me a yell.

Brilliant! It's no wonder why I love your products! 

[Sir Wolf]

very cool

[Sir Edward]

That's good to know. I suspected that was the case, and even if it wasn't intentional by design, it looks very straightforward to do. Thanks!

[Sir Brian]

Well I got the exchanged wrestling jacket yesterday from Revial Clothing and it fits perfectly!
I had to settle for black since they were out of the forest green in the size I needed but black
works just as well. I wish I had this a week earlier! This will be much cooler on those warmer
days yet still offer adequate protection from those armor bites. I'm very happy with it! 

[Sir Edward]

Well, I think it's getting to be time to re-evaluate my mail chausses again. The aluminum just keeps falling apart. I'm still looking at this set on Ice Falcon's site: http://store.fastcommerce.com/icefalcon/stainless-chainmail-chausses-regular-ff808181179c9ac201179d9536cd376c-p.html

They're a little pricey, but I shouldn't have any problems with riveted steel coming apart just from walking!

I suspect I'll still need to do something similar to what I've already done, if not completely re-use the leather. I just need to decide if I want to point them to a pourpoint (like this one) or something similar, or do what I've been doing and suspend them from a belt.

The other thing is that since these are full-length, I really should get used to the idea of using period footwear with it, or at least use modern shoes that I can hide under the mail and make it look period enough.

And... the mail would be strong enough to attach the knees I bought, finally.

[Sir Wolf]

at the top of these chausis is a belt loop. ( James aka kivian has a pair) you will need to do something about the bottom of the foot though. they are open.  I have seen people make a leather sole and either sew or put rings into the sole and attach them into the rings of the mail foot.