Seeing originals in museums and the opportunity to handle and inspect them will help expedite the development of a practical design, but a good collection of images are invaluable for developing a design. I appreciate the interest of everyone that emails asking for copies of my master templates and construction details. Please be patient while I format and prepare the gauntlet design for publishing in a book titled "Gauntlet Secrets", but until then imagine what it would be like trying to build armour from flat patterns with out ever having seen finished armour at all (not even a drawing or a picture). Pictures are patterns, they can be inlarged to any scale and relative dimensions can be surmised. Anyone interested in designing and building armour should take heed in the wisdom that a picture is worth a thousand words and the information and tools available gives the 21 century armourer an enormous technological advantage over his ancient counterpart. The chemistry and process for the making, shaping and treatment of steel is available to everyone.
Links to pictures of antique gauntlets.
Links to new gauntlets produced by armourers on the web.
A list of mostly technical books from my metalworking reference library.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Are the gauntlets displayed on this site for sale?
I will begin offering gauntlets for purchase next year. Check for updates around February 2009.
2. Do you do custom work and anything else besides finger gauntlets?
In the late 1980s I decided to stop building all the various parts of armour and begin focusing on one style of finger gauntlet; producing that same style repeatedly making subtle improvements on each successive pair.
I am now producing wheellock pistols and will be posting images and information on availability in 2009. The only type of custom work I am accepting at this time is embellishments and minor modifications to my standard gauntlet and wheellock designs.
3. Do you sell the chainmaille gloves on your site?
I stopped making chainmaille in 1982; all chainmaille I produced has been sold or given to family members.
4. When will you be publishing the book you mention on your info page?
I won’t be publishing the book until I have finalized the design and take high quality images of each primary phase of construction. My best estimate at this time is 2010.
My gauntlet design options:
Over 580 precision engineered pieces go into a pair of my finger gauntlet design. I am currently offering them in one size - large. Put a measuring tape around the knuckle area of your hand, if your hand is 21.5 to 23cm (8 1/2 to 9 inches) around your knuckles they should fit. People with smaller hands simply wear a thin glove to fill the extra space. I will eventually add a smaller size finger gauntlet to my production and a large mitten gauntlet. I never use stainless steel for making plate armour. Mild and spring steel can be easily blued, etched and heat-treated, also most of my patrons want their gauntlets to develop an ancient/antique look. If you want your armour to be made of a corrosion resistant metal I recommend titanium.
| Weights are based on a pair of large open cuff gauntlets made from 1.2mm metal. (The large size will usually fit a hand that’s approximately 23cm around the knuckles) | Options | Mild Steel 2.27kg |
Titanium 1.6kg | Spring Steel (Hardened & Tempered) 2.27kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,600 | $2,200 | $2,600 | ||
| Standard Options | ||||
| Deer skin gloves - Custom made with reversed tranks |
$400 | |||
| Roped edges | $250 | |||
| Laminated buckles | $140 | |||
| Corrosion resistant coating on inside surface of all plates. |
$60 | N/A | ||
| Open cuff gauntlets with all standard options. |
$2,400 | $3,000 | $3,400 | |
| Closed cuff
gauntlets with all standard options. |
$2,800 | $3,400 | $3,800 | |
| This is a link to an image of the
thumb hinge that I currently install on all gauntlets unless otherwise
specified – Handmade Solid Brass Hinge |
||||
| Premium Options | ||||
| Hinged cuffs with spring latch. | $700 | |||
| Rust Blue – This process is applied by hand for a period of 10 days to achieve a deep fire blue color in the steel. | $900 | N/A | ||
| Hot Salt Bluing | $300 | N/A | ||
| Anodized | $600 | N/A | N/A | |
| Artistic design on surface – Black & White, Etching, Gilding. |
Submit for quote | N/A |
The design of the gauntlets I build are inspired by 16th century originals. They will offer general protection similar to gauntlets of that era. Keep in mind knights wearing the best armour available were killed in tournaments and combat (Skill factor). The protective quality of any armour is best decided by the user or someone qualified. Adjust your combat variables and rules to what you consider safe.
Some good advice when shopping for a pair of gauntlets.......
Quality vs Price....are the gauntlets wall hangers or are they functional?
"BEWARE" there are alot of
dysfunctional (and gaudy) gauntlets being sold on the web.
Range of Movement....can the gauntlet allow the hand to move through it's normal range?
Comfort Level....how comfortable is the gauntlet?
References....ask the armourer for referals of past patrons.
Finding a good (and well fitting) piece of armour or an entire suit at a festival, fair or store
can save you money and avoid the disappointment of custom or mail order work that
does not live up to your expectations.
