This 2003 customer approached us with
several photographs and some ideas about what they wanted in an armour.
After the exchange of a number of e-mail's the design was settled on.
Several drawings were made and this drawing was the final one that was
used as a prototyping schematic.
Once completed this armour
waits patiently for its owner.
waits patiently for its owner.
The asymmetrical pauldrens were
taken from a historical example
provided by the customer.
taken from a historical example
provided by the customer.
As part of our service we will reconfigure
or re-manufacture any piece that does not
fit properly but as usual everything fit perfectly the first time.
or re-manufacture any piece that does not
fit properly but as usual everything fit perfectly the first time.
Flexibility is extremely important and
our pauldrens and gorgets are designed
for martial artists to use in full contact martial arts.
our pauldrens and gorgets are designed
for martial artists to use in full contact martial arts.
The scapulary plates at the back of the
pauldren do more than just protect the opening at the armpit.
As the pauldren rotates up the scapulary
plates keep the pauldren from slipping off the backplate and locking the
arm up.
Most modern armour has pauldrens
that will not function properly. Blankenshield armour however is
just as functional as the originals.
that will not function properly. Blankenshield armour however is
just as functional as the originals.
The many components in an armour
must overlap with no binding and protect the entire body during extreme movements and under impact.
must overlap with no binding and protect the entire body during extreme movements and under impact.
This simple closed helm has a fourteen
gauge crown, and the rest of the plates are sixteen gauge. It has an adjustable
liner that allows the helm to move up, down, right, left, forward and
backwards on the head as well as to tighten or loosen it.
Like any armour intended for serious
use this one has turners on the arms.
These Blankenshield only units allow full rotation of the arm and were on almost all quality armour from fourteen hundred on. Of course modern armourers seem to mostly avoid these necessary devices because they are extremely difficult to make. We do it using hammers over simple stakes just like the originals. No machine made components are used in Blankenshield armour except for rivets and cap screws. Even the buckles are handmade.
use this one has turners on the arms.
These Blankenshield only units allow full rotation of the arm and were on almost all quality armour from fourteen hundred on. Of course modern armourers seem to mostly avoid these necessary devices because they are extremely difficult to make. We do it using hammers over simple stakes just like the originals. No machine made components are used in Blankenshield armour except for rivets and cap screws. Even the buckles are handmade.
Wielding a Blankenshield sword made by
the method shown elsewhere on the site this customer is going to use chain
mail gloves under the large mitten gauntlets.
This armour was made for equestrian and
pedestrian use. As an equestrian armour it required our special "fauld".
The breastplate has a high straight waist and a skirt of several strips
of steel hang from it by leather straps. When used on horse back this
unit rotates up and actually grips the saddle. Designed not only to protect
the wearer, but the saddle as well. It also holds the breastplate clear
of the genital area when the horse is moving up and down. The tassets
can be moved to several positions depending on type of saddle or dismounted
use.
The legs are slightly cut away on the
inside to better grip and feel the horse. These legs and sabatons were
made to fit size ten thigh high boots from historical replicas. It is
important to fit the sabaton to the specific sort of shoe or boot to be
used.
Of course it is important for the armour
wearer to be able to kneel, crawl, and get
up by themselves when fallen.
up by themselves when fallen.
A well made suit of armour should
be almost as flexible as the person
wearing it.
be almost as flexible as the person
wearing it.
Protected from head to toe (Cap
A Pie,
is French for Head to Foot, and is the traditional nomenclature for this sort of armour) by their custom designed Blankenshield armour this happy customer is headed to Europe to compete in a variety of martial sports there.
is French for Head to Foot, and is the traditional nomenclature for this sort of armour) by their custom designed Blankenshield armour this happy customer is headed to Europe to compete in a variety of martial sports there.
The placement of the sight and the
whole geometry of the visor is
extremely important to provide vision
and breathing with the small slits and
holes allowed.
whole geometry of the visor is
extremely important to provide vision
and breathing with the small slits and
holes allowed.
The heart shaped wings on these couters
(elbows) were ordered special and are extremely Good protection.
Being involved in horse archery sports
this customer wanted a rondel to protect the right armpit while still
allowing the use of the lance. Of course the hinges are integral with
the plates and substantial enough to take direct hits with steel weapons.
Almost all of the leather on Blankenshield
armour is ten twelve pound oiled latigo in one and one eighths inch straps.
No oak tanned leather is used. The exceptions are the boot leather used
in the helmet liners and gauntlet palm straps. Also some gorgets have
boot leather lining. All buckles are hand made.
