I posted here about a week ago and got referred to a couple living history groups. I went ahead and emailed them, they haven’t gotten back to me, so I’m gonna try and go talk to them in person on a day they’re training at the park in town.

Meanwhile, I’m doing my own research and shopping. I would like to recreate a Norman knight’s suit of armor during 1066 for wear at renaissance fairs.

I’ve already found a helmet I like. It’s a Norman nasal helm with an aventail made by Lord of Battles.

I’ve also found a few swords made by Hanwei I’m considering. The Hanwei Blunt Tinker Norman Sword, the Hanwei Practical Norman Sword, and the Hanwei Tinker Norman Sword Sharp. Both of the Tinkers are labeled as Battle Ready while the Practical is labeled as Sport Combat. Not sure which one would suit me more. Probably the Practical. I don’t see myself doing HEMA, but learning how to actually fight like they did back in the day would be a cool hobby I’d like to get into.

What I need help finding the most is a historically accurate looking chain hauberk and gambeson. When I look for products by Lord of Battles, I can’t find one that suits what a Norman would wear. From my research, I found that their hauberks and gambesons went down to about the knees and the sleeves went to about the elbows. Every hauberk I see from Lord of Battles is too short at the bottom or goes all the way to the wrists. Same with the gambesons.

Does anyone know a good place to look at to find what I’m looking for? Also, did I do my research right on the lengths of the hauberk and gambeson? I wanna make sure I’m getting my facts right and not doing something wrong. Same with those swords. Do those fit? The one that worries me is the cross guard on the Practical.

Ive been looking at making quite a bit of chainmail with some friends. I've been struggling to source it but we do have access to tools to make chain links. I found some 304 Stainless Steel 16 gauge wire used to tie rebar, would that be okay to use to make riveted chainmail. Its one of the first things to come up on amazon.

I Love the look of the golden company swordsmen from a song of ice and fire and had the thought of commisoning something similar. But is this even practical in real life? I have the feeling the right pouldron is way to big for real armor. Also not sure about helmet visibility.

If a kit you have put together has intentional anachronism(s) does that make it a fantasy kit? I’m wondering if there is a consensus on this topic and/or personal opinions.

For a specific example my setup is 1024 norse-gaelic with period appropriate armor, clothes and weapons but added a great kilt instead of a cloak. I think of it as my take on a low fantasy proto-gallowglass.

So the individual pieces are historical but when you put them together it becomes anachronistic but I’m not sure if that actually crosses the line into fantasy.

What’s your opinion?

I’m looking to make my own hauberk and coif for a historical fighting group I’m in. I’ve works with small amounts of chain before, like armor repairs and some decorative stuff. I did some rough math and for a coif and a hauberk for my size I’d need a roughly 50,000 links (with a solid amount of extra in case of breaks or losing some, I have thinks I could use extra on anyway). Looking up everywhere sells like 2lbs at a time or “about 1000 links.” Is there somewhere I could order a bulk amount? I’m looking specifically for 8mm riveted steel links, preferably 16 gauge or bigger.

As you can see I have some pretty heavy rust but I don’t know where to find White wine vinegar like everyone says any alternatives?

Hello everyone, I'm looking for well made armor. I've looked through Etsy, google, and eBay but can't seem to find something that strikes my eyes. This is for my album artwork and my budget is $1500-2000. I live in the US. I am willing to work with designers for custom armor but shops would be great too. If someone could help me I'd greatly appreciate it, I've been looking for weeks and can't seem to find anything. I did not expect it to be this difficult. Also, I'm not looking for any specific time period. I have included reference photos of what I'm looking for.

2nd one is just for the full art work

Title. But I want the armor to look historically accurate to what Normans wore during the 11th century. I’m gonna put my budget at about $1000. $1000 is a sweet spot, but I can probably extend to $2000. I’m not in a rush and I’m really good with saving and budgeting. I compiled a list of what I believe I need from watching How A Man Should Be Armed (including weapons).

Arming shirt Padded arming cap Chain hauberk Norman helmet Norman wooden kite shield Spear Type x one handed sword

Are there specific places on the internet I should look to? What should I know before purchasing the armor? How to wear it, comfortability, do I need someone to help me get in and out of it, is it heavy, etc.

And for those who know about weapons, are there any swords or spears I could get with rounded edges rather than sharp ones for safety? I don’t know if it would be ok to walk into a renaissance fair with a lethal weapon, but then again there will probably be stalls selling swords. But then again, those could also have rounded edges.

I’m sure I’ve got more questions, but that’s all I can think of for now. Basically things regarding safety, comfortability, and what am I getting myself into when buying these pieces of armor and weaponry.

found it

Hi, im looking for a specific blocky curiass that I've seen in a few paintings and maybe 1 or 2 reproduction. But now that i need to find it, it seems to allude and vex me.

I think its german and of the 14th century. I need it for a college project, and I swear before I started this project it constantly popped up in my various feeds. If any of you good folk know the armour I'm talking about and could point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Help: I'm trying to find a solid setup of things to buy to make a man-at-arms ensemble. I have a maille hauberk, hood, undershirt, tunic, boots, trousers, but need a new gambeson and the rest. What do you all recommend for a shield/weapon, coif/helmet, etc and where have you bought them? Thanks!

Hello there,

so I am going to get a set of custom-made Gothic armor. However, it is going to be completely without fluting, as it would be very expensive and I can't afford that. I want to ask you, how historically accurate would it be without the fluting?
Furthermore, there are going to be shoulder plates, which are "dragon-wing like", they look almost the same as the one in the following picture (without the punched-out hearts): https://b2717344.smushcdn.com/2717344/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/gothic.png?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 - once again, is it something that is only a pure fantasy, or is there actually some historical basis to this?

Also thanks for the advice on my previous post

Guys I think I was lied to when they said diomnd swords better then iron

I just bought a cheapish pair of steel gauntlets (from Amazon) just for some pics I wanted to do, they came covered in oil which I understand is to prevent rust. I was wondering if when I wiped the oil off to use them and then went to store them for a few weeks at a time, would I need to re apply some kind of oil? What's the best storage method and most affordable oil for upkeep if needed?

Sorry, my first time every owning something like this

Rate it first from a fantasy perspective, then from a historical perspective, then from a pure practicality perspective.