MY new harness pics

john mackay · Post by **john mackay** » Wed May 27, 2009 6:51 am

Some pics of the harness even works great on horse back LOL

mattb · Post by **mattb** » Wed May 27, 2009 9:22 am

Looks quite pretty, though the pics are small, who made it for you?

Matt

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed May 27, 2009 9:26 am

Very nice, no sabbatons though?

john mackay · Post by **john mackay** » Wed May 27, 2009 9:39 am

hi yeah it was made by A Plaisance
i do have full sabbatons complete with spurs and extension cones about 6-7 inch long

not wearing them cause cant walk or ride in them proberly yet

but hope by tewks i will be

Thomas Hayman · Post by **Thomas Hayman** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:18 am

Looking good.

Gorgeous horse, yours?

john mackay · Post by **john mackay** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:20 am

No just a borrow i beleve he`s part of fire & swords mounted division

Alan_F · Post by **Alan_F** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:16 pm

Got to admit that it does look more impressive close up!

Phil the Grips · Post by **Phil the Grips** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:19 pm

It makes you look fat

guthrie · Post by **guthrie** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:46 pm

Your camera seems to think it is 2007.
Apart from that, nice plate.

Marcus Woodhouse · Post by **Marcus Woodhouse** » Thu May 28, 2009 9:00 am

Thank you for the pictures.

Colin Middleton · Post by **Colin Middleton** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:57 pm

Looks good. I can't make my mind up if it's English or German style.

Martin and Duncan do some very nicework. Must get them some money for my arm-harness soon.

Colin

rustyfrenchman · Post by **rustyfrenchman** » Thu May 28, 2009 3:37 pm

Beautiful armour! Stunning!!

However I am slightly concerned about the horse.. it looks a bit like a cow with its white and brown patches.. poor beast!

john mackay · Post by **john mackay** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 1:44 am

yeah i had to stop a few trying to milk HIM! LOL

Dave34 · Post by **Dave34** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:46 am

The harness looks Amazing!
where is the company that made it? are they in Great britain

How much does somthing like that cost ?

Am new to the re-enactment world and am amazed to where and how people like your self get these repros from

thanks

rustyfrenchman · Post by **rustyfrenchman** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:45 am

Aah there are many people who make armour, e.g:

http://www.whiterosearmoury.com

http://www.plessisarmouries.co.uk

http://www.aplaisance.co.uk

http://www.steel-mastery.com

etc etc all the makers have different strengths and weaknesses, some cheaper armour is made in India too (look on ebay!).

Colin Middleton · Post by **Colin Middleton** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:34 pm

As a general rule, I'd never buy armour off of e-bay.

Get to know the armourer you're working with. If you're buying descent stuff, you're going to be seeing quite a bit of them and they'll be manhandeling you in all sorts of ways to ensure that everything fits properly.

If you're buying off the shelf, you still need to make sure that you can try it on before you buy it.

Remember that this stuff is to go between you and a weapon that can break bones. You need to be able to trust it, or you could end up seriously injured.

Price varies widly. APlaisance helmes range from under £200 for their cheapest sallet uo £1,000 or more for a decorated armet with wrapper and all the trimmings. You might be able to put togeather a cheap full harness for £2,000, but it will look cheap and badly fitted. If you're going for something that looks the part, expect to pay over £5,000. I've heard of people paying over £25,000 for some REALLY posh stuff.

And don't forget the weight. My harness weighs just under 5 stone (31 kg). You can't just put that kind of weight on and start fighting. You need to train your body upto it first. You also need 'foundation garments' that fit properly first, or your armour will do you some harm.

Oh, and yes, they're in Britain. White Rose is near Chesterfield and APlaisance is in Wales. There are others scattered over the country. Try going to fairs like Tewkesbury, ILHF and TORM to meet people and you'll be better placed to start thinking what to buy.

Best wishes.

Colin

Colin Middleton · Post by **Colin Middleton** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:34 pm

P.S. Sorry about the rant.

Biro · Post by **Biro** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:08 pm

I didn't see it as a rant - just good advice

Dave34 · Post by **Dave34** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:12 am

Yeah thanks for the advice

I would love somthing like the guy in the pic. but maybe best to wait and start my self off on somthing alittle less complicted. (anyway working with the NHS even on night shift the cost would be way to high LOL )

but thanks for the great advice

Are you or if anyone knows if the guy will be at the TEWKS re-enactment? i would like to see it in the real.

I hope to meet with some of you to further my research also

Thanks

Zachos · Post by **Zachos** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:48 am

The guys that made it will be at the Tewkes re-enactment along with a good few other decent armourers (and some not so good ones). Beware of people trying to sell you their stuff. Do a whole lot of looking in museums and only buy something if you think it looks like the/an original. Never take a tradesmans word for it.

Sorry if thats a bit depressing, but a lot of people have been burned by not doing that.

john mackay · Post by **john mackay** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:32 am

Thanks Dave

The memebers on here are so very right! I have bought armour online off the peg etc and always there is somthing wrong with it, arms a little too long so it presses into top of my hand etc,

Zachos is also 100% CORRECT There is alot of good tradesman out there but as this world is there are even more bad ones that will sell you somthing they know is of no good.

My advice is find a good group near you that you can join. the group will keep you right and help you in getting good quality kit.
but really the first thing you should look at getting is soft kit, day to day clothes of the period this is a little cheaper, you can make your own and it will allow you to take part in events untill you know how to use the weapons safely. Then taking part on the battle field

anyway hope to see you at Tewks

Colin Middleton · Post by **Colin Middleton** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:57 pm

Good advice John. Fund a group that you're comfortable with and they can help you meet their standards.

Colin Middleton · Post by **Colin Middleton** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:23 pm

Good advice John. Fund a group that you're comfortable with and they can help you meet their standards.

Alan E · Post by **Alan E** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 2:42 pm

Colin Middleton wrote:Good advice John. Fund a group that you're comfortable with and they can help you meet their standards.

Ahhh, to be able to find someone who'd fund a group - Livery and maintenance!

Colin Middleton · Post by **Colin Middleton** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:27 pm

b***dy keyboard!

Marcus Woodhouse · Post by **Marcus Woodhouse** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:40 pm

A poor workman always blames his tppls.

Alan_F · Post by **Alan_F** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:30 pm

Dave34 wrote:Yeah thanks for the advice

I would love somthing like the guy in the pic. but maybe best to wait and start my self off on somthing alittle less complicted. (anyway working with the NHS even on night shift the cost would be way to high LOL )

but thanks for the great advice

Are you or if anyone knows if the guy will be at the TEWKS re-enactment? i would like to see it in the real.

I hope to meet with some of you to further my research also

Thanks

Out of interest, have you bought all your soft kit yet? It's usually a better place to start.

Dave34 · Post by **Dave34** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:01 am

Allan
Yes i do infact have a little soft kit. not near the standard that i see within this site mind you but it will pass for now.

I am hoping to get some more 15th c garments at tewks fair