Need a bit help with a kit

[Sir Ulrich]

Ok so I got a mail hauberk coming in, but I'm wondering what to do for leg protection. I don't know if I should get chausses for leg protection. I mean I spent a ton of money on the hauberk I could get matching chausses from icefalcon armory. Maybe I should go for splinted greaves only place I know that sells them for a decent price is merc tailor but I am unsure of the dimensions if they'd fit my really skinny legs. I would like to get the GDFB padded cuisses but the size is a bit excessive, Maybe just get them modified by a tailor and then I'd be fine I think.

Now for a fitting coif am unsure if I could just buy some rings and make my own integrated coif by modifying the hauberk or just buy a ready made blackened coif. They only sell them in large size which I don't know the dimensions. I just want a blackened coif to match the hauberk. Don't want butted mail either.

As for knee and elbow protection I would probably go for merc tailor elbow and knee cops. They seem decent enough and I probably could get them in black to match the mail.

Anyone got any suggestions on what I could do?

[Sir Wolf]

do u have a picture or a time frame/ erc you are going for? a certain look ?

[Sir Brian]

Agree you might want to consider narrowing down within 50 years or so of what timeline you want to base your harness off.
If you are going early to mid 1200's than maille all the way. Later in the 13th C was when the various plate pieces started to emerge.

You know you could do something truly unique and use Cuir Boilli pieces over the maille instead of steel. 

http://www.amtgard-eh.com/library/howtocuir.html
http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/leather/hl.html

[Sir Patrick]

One thing to also consider is versatility, as this is an expensive hobby.  For example, you might get more mileage out of a coif as opposed to an integrated hood on your haubrek should you want to change periods at some point.  As far as what kind of look to go for, I've found it's much easier to browse effigies and period art until you find something that strikes your fancy, then use those dates to determine what combinations you can get away with.  Here's a link that might help:

http://www.gothiceye.com/pictures.asp?categoryID=3&offset=18

[Sir James A]

Riveted mail will also be quite a bit harder to work with than butted mail, I agree with having a separate coif. A FANTASTIC effigy website is http://www.effigiesandbrasses.com/.

[Sir Wolf]

ya, u can always wear your coif's mantle under your hauberk and it looks attached.

[Sir Patrick]

Great link, Sir James!

[Sir Ulrich]

I'm mainly trying to portray a late 1200s early 1300s knight or man-at-arms, mostly mail but some plate parts such as elbow cops and knee cops. But I am kinda drawn to the Morgan Bible's style stuff, just wanna do a slightly darker version of what they did, like a black knight sort of deal. Only issue is I am a bit on the skinny side so most one size fits all stuff won't fit me as well as it would a typical person.

Yeah I may just buy a separate coif. Dunno when they'll get regular sized coifs in stock at Icefalcon armory, but I have a fairly large head so maybe large would suit me. The helmet type I'd prefer would maybe be a quality Transitional or Great helm, not sure if knights used kettle helms, otherwise I'd use a kettle helm.

This arm armor is a bit of what I want, at least the bracers http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-3134-14th-century-knights-full-arm-armour.aspx

[Sir William]

If you're going for plate parts, talk to Allan at Merc Tailor...he'll make them according to your measurements so you needn't worry about fitment.  So long as the measurements are accurate (take them over all of your gear that would normally be under the armor).

[Sir Ulrich]

So he makes custom fitted plate? How much does it go for typically? Cause thats actually exactly what I want because it would probably fit me best. All I really want at the moment is thigh armor and splinted greaves.

[Sir Wolf]

well 1200-1300 is a large span. not a ton of plate is involved yet. mostly still just mail hauberks, coifs and chausis, soupcan knees.  if you moved your thoughts towards 1300-1360 you can do the splinted and plate pieces along with lots of mail. such as: mail hauberk, mail chausis, splinted or plate legs, splinted or plate arms, coat of plates over hauberk for body, and bassinets with aventails alone or with great helmets

[Sir Brian]

This arm armor is a bit of what I want, at least the bracers http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-3134-14th-century-knights-full-arm-armour.aspx

CRAP! Those splinted rerebraces look great! 

~ Hey Allan I think I’ll be adding to that custom work request I mentioned in my last PM to you! 

I also agree with Sir Wolf. You will definitely have to adjust your timeline into the early 14th C if you want to add splinted or plate pieces.

[Allan Senefelder]

I did a pair of splinted rebraces for somebody like six yeras ago. I don't know if I still have the templates around, i'll look.

[Sir Wolf]

ya you would do better to go with a splinted arm from Merc Tailor than those. I'm betting the leather isn't the best. that look definitely is in the 14th century hehe

[Sir Brian]

Yeah it would have to be Allan’s work since 90% of my splinted stuff is from him, something along the same style has the vambraces, greaves and gorget I have now.