Rings on belts...
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Rings on belts...
I've recently seen some re-enactors (C15) wearing metal rings hanging from theior belts by a leather strap. I was wondering what these were for and if they are in fact correct. Possibly a hanger for a sidearm?
"I hold it to be of great prudence for men to abstain from threats and
insulting words towards any one, for neither the one nor the other in any
way diminishes the strength of the enemy." Niccolo Machiavelli
insulting words towards any one, for neither the one nor the other in any
way diminishes the strength of the enemy." Niccolo Machiavelli
Re: Rings on belts...
sword hanger
but a maglite fits in there very well.
but a maglite fits in there very well.
everyday i can be an insignificant but unavoidable nuisance is a day well spent.
Re: Rings on belts...
well, they're sold as sword hangers, I have one, but don't use it - because the sword hangs straight down and trips me up (doesn't take much
) also if you're battling the weapon falls out......

Every time I close the door on reality, it comes in through the windows - Jennifer Yane
Re: Rings on belts...
I seem to recall discussion on them before on this forum.
The teeny tinsy wee problem with such a thing as a sword hanger is that the sharp sword can then cut your leg...
You can put an axe in one if you like, but I don't recall anyon putting forwards much evidence that they were used for swords or anything else.
The teeny tinsy wee problem with such a thing as a sword hanger is that the sharp sword can then cut your leg...
You can put an axe in one if you like, but I don't recall anyon putting forwards much evidence that they were used for swords or anything else.
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- John Waller
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Re:
Actually it's for a short sword :- And then his shorte swerde upon the lyfte side in a rounde rynge all nakid and pylle it oute lightli. The dagger is hung on the right side And then hange his daggere upon his right side no mention of a ring or scabbard for the dagger. The context is for a man in a tourney not on a battlefield.Anthony of the MSS wrote:"how a man shall be armed" mentions this as being used for a dagger when in FULL harness in order for a quick draw.
As you say they shouldn't be used for swords etc and not without leg harness
Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
Re: Rings on belts...
i've use one to hang a short fighting axe from but like most i've stop using it cut it gets caught up in my legs and end up holding the axe while on the march.
Like I told my last wife, I says, "Honey, I never drive faster than I can see. Besides that, it's all in the reflexes." Jack BURTON
Re: Rings on belts...
Ah ha, thank you. So like a lot of things, they should only be used within a specific context, i.e. when wearing full plate, and probably not whilst riding a horse. The hanging dagger perhaps means the dagger is in its sheath hanging from the belt.
Re:
I'm still not convinced that these rings were ever used just to have an unsheathed blade stuck through. I thought that the rings on harness belts then hung a scabard, but allowing it to swivel as the blade was drawn, like this oneAnthony of the MSS wrote:"how a man shall be armed" mentions this as being used for a dagger when in FULL harness in order for a quick draw.
As you say they shouldn't be used for swords etc and not without leg harness

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Re: Rings on belts...
I find mine invaluable for my warhammer. Others in our group use them for axes. I think they're good for anything with a short shaft with a wider head. As noted by others, a sharp sword would be a bit hazardous but a haft won't do any harm.
Of course he has a knife. He always has a knife. We all have knives - it's 1183 and we're barbarians.
Re: Re:
I confess likewise; my brief dalliance with one many, many years ago led me to the conclusion that the blade simply falls out any time you try to do anything dynamic.Dave B wrote:I'm still not convinced that these rings were ever used just to have an unsheathed blade stuck through.
So how do we interpret...
And then his shorte swerde upon the lyfte side in a rounde rynge all nakid and pylle it oute lightli.
Re: Rings on belts...
Well silly me - I always thought they were for keeping your fox tail neatly attached...
Re: Rings on belts...
I have a metal one and a leather one, but only use it for an axe or short sword when walking around camp.
When in combat even a small axe can get in the way or fall out. And its not unknown for your opponent to "borrow" it from your belt
I suspect they are a reenactment only product as a cheep and simple alternative to a scabbard.
Dare I say it but they are very popular in the LARP world.
When in combat even a small axe can get in the way or fall out. And its not unknown for your opponent to "borrow" it from your belt

I suspect they are a reenactment only product as a cheep and simple alternative to a scabbard.
Dare I say it but they are very popular in the LARP world.
Re: Rings on belts...
everyday i can be an insignificant but unavoidable nuisance is a day well spent.
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Re: Rings on belts...
a look at some of the feast scenes in the Beachamp Pageant show them being used by servitors. (at least i think they are!)
We use them for theatrical purposes as they make a nice 'ching' when you draw your weapon. Now that's authenticity for you!
We use them for theatrical purposes as they make a nice 'ching' when you draw your weapon. Now that's authenticity for you!
http://www.griffinhistorical.com. A delicious decadent historical trifle. Thick performance jelly topped with lashings of imaginative creamy custard. You may also get a soggy event management sponge finger but it won't cost you hundreds and thousands.