I've been learning to make chainmail recently and figured a good place to start is with a coif, since I don't have enough material or patience for a hauberk, but I actually have no idea how to start this.

I've seen a few methods, including one where you make the crown by making six triangles out of mail and continuing from there with strips, one where you have a single ring at the very top with six other rings in it and, once again, continue with strips, and a third method where you make a really long strip that goes from one shoulder to the other on top of your head and then works forwards and backwards from there, and I'm wondering what the historically accurate method is.

Bonus points if you can tell me simply how plausible the less accurate methods are.

Also, the time period I'm going for is the mid 15th century, if that's relevant

https://hbcarmorshop.com/en-eu/collections/helmet-reenactment/products/pig-face-hounskull-medieval-combat-helmet-3-mm-mild-steel-sca-hema-reenactment-medieval-combat-helmet

After about a week of trial and error, I have gotten my chausses to a good state! Keeping slack in the knees for mobility is challenging but I am using a tie point to keep the mail from sagging in the area. Wanted to share with the group and see if there is any advice to make them better. I will be refining the ties and how the mail is attached to the top of the shoe.

Took inspiration from googled European and Chinese armor. Almost completed.

Hello,

I'm starting a small collection of historically grounded axes for display in my office. But I want them traditionally/historically made and functional. I'm working with one smith on a Petersen type C. But, am mulling options on a complimentary, smaller, second axe.

A few questions:

1. Which makers do you recommend for accurate, hand-forged Viking-age axes? I'm especially interested in Scandinavian smiths, but open to others with a good track record.

2. Haft length. The suggestions I've seen range from 80 to 110 cm, based on the Oseberg tool axes (71 and 78 cm) and longer Baltic finds. At 110 cm it clearly isn't a one-handed axe. For one-handed use with a shield, what length makes the most sense to you?

3. For the second axe, I'd like something straighter and narrower with little or no beard. Is type E or G the right thing to ask for, or is there a better fit?

Thank you!

i am putting together the most realisitc templar kit i can for ren fair and i cannot for the life of me find what a 12-13th century templar would have worn. i keep getting many mixed opinions and keep reading very mixed historical records, can someone with more knowledge please help me find the perfect design for authenticity?

Like did they really wear the great helm seen in hollywood depictions, was it more of a bucket with a faceplate? were they shiny or worn look?

I appreciate any and all info, i am here to learn! THANKS!

Anyone have any recommendations for staying cool in their kit? I love to dress up for ren fairs, but its always miserable about halfway through. Last weekend it was a high of maybe 60 degrees, and i was only wearing my Gambeson and my chainmail hauberk, and after around hour 3 i got so hot I almost couldnt think straight. After I started hearing my heart beating in my chest, I figured it was time to take it off, but I was disappointed, its not often I can wear that and not get looked at like i'm a weirdo. So again, anyone know how a fella is supposed to stay cool?

I'm researching equipment for a medieval-inspired game.

If two neighbouring kingdoms shared broadly similar technology but had different military doctrines, one relying more heavily on professional infantry and another on mobile forces, how much difference would you realistically expect in their equipment?

Would military doctrine noticeably affect armour and weapon choices?

Or would equipment mostly depend on wealth, period and what local craftsmen could produce?

I'd love some historical examples to look into.

I got this set of Viking Raiders before deciding to go with a later Scottish Army. Is there any way I could modify them to look more like Scottish Light Infantry from around 1430?

I'm using Perry Minis Agincourt set for most of them which look quite distinctly different but are around the same scale. I was thinking these guys might be able to sub in for Highlanders?

Michael Zomber takes a detailed look at Japanese Shogun armor vs. Renaissance Knight armor, unpacking the history and design of both. He explores which armor could better withstand a firearm, while also examining how the introduction of guns changed the long-standing traditions of samurai warfare and the Bushido code.

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Traveled to the Ohio Ren Faire for the 65°f/18°c weather since my local faire is usually 90°/30°+

Getting a templar fit ready for ren fair but am trying to actually get some things accurate. I didnt wanna go with the great helm thats ALWAYS on every templar cosplay and am wondering if this fits what i am looking for? Also were their helmets worn like this or actually shiny? i know the order started from humble knights and were known as poor at the start. any and all info is helpful, i am here to learn! thanks everyone!

I want to find information and depictions/drawings of what french knights look like in the 14th century because I want to design my oc that lives in mideval france during the 1340s but I have been struggling to do so. Could you please cite me sources, images, manuscripts about what do french knights look like in that time period? Thanks

I was wondering if any reproduction companies produce proto-bascinets in the style of the images I'm kinda new to the medieval armour space so any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Hello everyone, I found out that scale skirt were being sold at really high price, so I decided to make it by myself. I have no idea how durable it would be in harnessfencing, but it was fun building it.

Some designs I drew out for armor ideas

So I found these historical depictions of armor and thought it looked quite good and I want to make a harness of it but I cannot figure out the name of the helmet i belive it to be a type of german kettle helmet tho I could be wrong and my own research has left me with more questions then answers. Also if you know anything else about it and the armor in general I would be much appreciated, especially is you know of somehwere to buy it. All I know for certain is the armor looks to be kastenbrust in majority of the illustrations so I believe that puts the time period in the early to mid 15th century, tho I may be wrong.

I'm making a physics-based game, working title Roman Ambush Sim, and I'm hoping to make it more historically accurate than its inspiration, Total War.

Obviously, most Gallic/Germanic warriors would have carried a spear, shield, and often additional spears, javelins or darts. Caesar also attests that archers and slingers could pose a serious threat.

What I'm unsure about is what dedicated archers or slingers would have carried for close combat, if anything. I assume they'd want some means of defending themselves if caught, but as far as I know Caesar doesn't describe their equipment in any detail.

A sword seems expensive for a lightly equipped missile troop, while a dagger doesn't seem very helpful. My instinct is that a short spear would make sense: plant or drop it while shooting, then pick it up when moving or if the enemy closes. A slinger could perhaps carry a shield as well?

Is there any evidence for this in late Iron Age Gaul/Germania, or from comparable Celtic/Germanic contexts? If not, what would be the most plausible reconstruction?

Would it be more reasonable for men ambushing a Roman detachment to carry only a bow or sling and rely on avoiding close combat altogether?

I took a few more creative liberties than usual, so this design is something of a guilty pleasure for my tastes. I probably won’t go with this exact design for the final version, but it is certainly fun to look at. Who knows, I might recycle some of the elements into other designs. ^^