Main > The Great Hall
Jericho the freelancer here
Ian:
Back scabbards are generally a fantasy trope and have little basis in history. There are some random examples in Asian cultures of swords on the back, but they're usually secured by a belt at the waist, not actually strapped to the back, and even then they usually have to rotate the whole scabbard around their body to a position that allows the sword to be drawn. It's all but impossible to draw a sword bigger than a toothpick from a scabbard strapped to the back without some very bizarre designs. There's also no evidence for it in medieval Europe. Even the exceptionally large zweihanders of the 16th century are almost always depicted in woodcuts and various media as just being slung over the shoulder and held in the hand.
TL;DR - if you're after a historical kit, no back scabbards.
It sounds like you may be leaning toward a fantasy flare with your kit ideas though, which is fine. But even then, a back scabbard is very impractical in real life.
Sir Rodney:
Use forum resources such as Modern Chivalry, myArmoury, and Armour Archive as secondary or tertiary sources. Explore posts that reference, and link, to primary sources. Much is said on public forums without citation. Look up those primary citations, read them for yourself, and make an informed decision.
Discussions regarding the “sword on the back” thing are easy to locate using the various forum search functions. Read the posts that provide solid, documented, information. I’m afraid that a “sword on the back” will not provide you with an acceptable draw, nor will it be easily documentable (beyond simply carrying the weapon from point A to point B).
Historical accuracy usually breaks down along the lines of (from highest to lowest):
Living History groups – Highly documented kits.
SCA – Accuracy is all over the place from low to mid to living history level.
Renaissance Festival – Accuracy is all over the place with most in the low to mid accuracy levels, a few will be highly accurate.
LARP – Accuracy is generally low with a few exceptions.
These are very basic, generalized statements (notice - no citations ;) ). All this only matters if you want a historically accurate kit. If not, then knock yourself out, have fun, and be happy! That’s what truly matters. :)
In the end, of course, you will choose the one, true century – 14th! ;D
FreelancerJericho:
Not sure what era this is but I like it, however I would change the helm to the visored barbuta helm.
Aiden of Oreland:
That kit is a 12th or early 13th century Knights Templar. That style helm came almost 200 years later. For the barbuta used under that visor looks like the Millanese one. Tell me what you think of these Mid 14th century kits. From what you have described to me so far in elements you want for your kit, these might be right up your alley.
FreelancerJericho:
The first* picture definitely! That's pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. Use helm 6 from the second pic and the gauntlets from the third.
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