Make Your Own Gauntlets

[Jeffrey Hull]

This seems like a decent design for the DIY guys

http://www.armourarchive.org/patterns/gauntlet_thorz/

[Matthew_Anderson]

They're OK but they look like they are rather ahistorical in design and are made for SCA rules with oddly shaped finger lames. Finger gauntlets are one of the hardest things for armourers to get right. I love the ones I got from Clay Moore last year:

http://members.aol.com/knightsarmoury/k ... rmoury.htm

I highly recommend anything he makes, I have arms and legs from him as well but I think he only makes gauntlets now.

[Jeffrey Hull]

Sure, I thought there were a few dexterity probs with those -- I just liked the idea of the DIY gauntlets. I suppose that design could be modified to suit a historically authentic flexion and so forth.

Thanks for the other link. I like the hourglass gauntlets there. We see those in MS KK5013 and some other fight-books.

[Jeremiah Backhaus]

Yeah, those lames are meant to transfer a blow to the rattan. The historical ones are much smaller. Finger gauntlets aren't that terribly hard. I found the gatlings to be the hardest part. Most of the armourers on that site start in the transitional harness era (14th cent) and try and to a copy of the black prince effigy.

[Brian Hunt]

for the do it yourselfer looking for a good 14th century finger gauntlet pattern, these guys sell for one real cheap. http://talbotsfineaccessories.com/books/metalwork.html

As for the armour archive, they have armourers there that cover all areas of armour, from the age of mail and up through the 16th century. Also, there is a good pattern for a Wisby style finger gauntlet at the armour archive http://www.armourarchive.org/patterns/wisby_gauntlet_cad/

laters.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Jeremiah Backhaus]

I know they go up through the last vestiges of armouring. I was fairly active on that board for some time, as I love to play with all things metal. They do tend to start in the 14th though. Mainly because that is what TOMAR is focused on, as a bridge to making other eras, they tend to start there. Just simpler designs.

[Max Lancaster]

I am looking to buy a pair of real gauntlets but how does one shop for them?
I mean..Do you measure you hand or something and send it to these guys and where is a good site to purchase a pair?

[Jeremiah Backhaus]

When looking for Gaunts you should find your maker and then they should tell you what to measure for the making. But a list of things needed:

Hand thickness when flat
length of knuckles across hand
individual measurements from knuckle to knuckle on the fingers
Middle finger knuckle to wrist
Distance from index knuckle to thumb knuckle in fist

Those are what I can remember off the top of my head. It is also very useful to make a tracing of your hand on a folder and mark where all of your knuckles are. Some guys will want more. You should also decide what style you want (historical repro, new design, 14th cent, 15th, etc) so you can more easily decide on a maker.

Basically it all hinges on your maker. Good luck in your search.

-Jeremiah

[Max Lancaster]

Thank you for your responce. Now I just have to search for a site..You wouldnt happen to know one would you?

[Brian Hunt]

I would start here, some of the links are out of date, but most are current. http://www.armourarchive.org/links/armouries.shtml

Brian Hunt
GFS