Gambesons

[Sal Bertucci]

So, I'm considering making one this year. I have found a good material for the covering, but I had a question. How thick would a gambeson have been? 1/2 inch thick, 1/4 inch thick?

[Parker E. Brown]

It would depend upon what kind of gambeson and what time period. Early gambesons tended to be thick for use with maille. Later gambesons, such as the aketon, were thick enough to almost be armour in and of themselves! Later gambesons (ca. 14th-15th century) such as an arming cotte were thinner, but were instead designed to be a platform that plate armour was attached to on the body. So, what period or type of gambeson are you looking at?

Parker Brown
ARMA DFW
ARMA Denton

[Sal Bertucci]

I guess an earlier model. I intend to wear it while sparring, etc. As such I would like to take some of the sting out of the hits I'm going to get. I would like to get a harness eventually, but if I can afford one of those I can probably afford to make another gambeson. I guess that it will just depend on what kind of mobility I want.

Another question, If any of you have gambesons, what would you suggest; The "pull-over" design, or an open front "button-up" design?

[Matt Bryant]

I have a really thick, front button up design gambeson. I had to go and reinforce the stitching on the buttons because the place I bought it from had them on there too weakly. So be conscious of that. There is also the lace up front design.

[Sal Bertucci]

Cool. I actually hadn't thought of lacing it up. That's a good idea.