Armor and weapons questions

[Robert R. Hinds]

After glancing over a few threads on here, I've found the armor I was going to buy has a few issues...

The helmet I was going to buy is 14 guage steel, but I've read by some on here that that's too heavy, and that 16 guage is better.

I'd like to know if 14 guage is just as historically accurate as 16 guage, I know armor varied in thickness due to different smiths and such but what was the normal thickness back then?

Also ive found out that gambesons were tight fitting..and the one I was going to buy would be pretty baggy on me.

Does anyone know where I can get a smaller sized gambeson, or maybe one thats custom fitted for an inexpensive price? prefferably with laces on the arms to attach armor/jackchains?

And my last question, what are the advantages/disadvantages of leather wrapped grip vs. wire wrapped grip on a sword?

I'm just starting out in the WMA thing, even though I have been obsessed with medieval armor and weapons since literaly as far back as I can remember, and I really would appreciate any answers anybody could give me.

[nathan featherstone]

for armour my armoury or armour archive are your best bet to ask i will help how i can as i know a bit on armour.
now thickness of armour depends on 2 key elements: how its made what its being used for and if you want an exact historic replica although mot want function and what period then are you going for armour changes a huge amount like modern fashion.
if you can answer em that i can help much more. armour varied in thickness widely depending on what piece it was and what period and style it was.
your gambi should be a comfortable fit not overly tight i dont know where your based so cant help too much. as for the other bits your local seamstress could probably sort you out.
wire wrapped vs leather im not an expert others on here would know better im guessing weight and wear and tear are the key elements wire adds weight not much but im guessing is more durable leather is not.
come back to me and answer these and il see how i can help.