Medieval Splint Vambraces
Splinted arm bracers with Celtic etching
Splint armours made an appearance during the Vendel Era, and still are well-known for their lightweight design and strength, provided by combination of pliable and rigid materials - thick genuine leather and elongated metal plates arranged along the extremities. They were used to cover the limbs both in the Dark Ages and in the Middle Ages as a part of transition armour. Nice balance between weight, protection properties and flexibility makes them perfect for modern medieval style fencing.
Ten cold-forged stainless steel bars are pierced for riveting and attached to the thick leather base with cast brass hardware on each bracer. The inside is covered with split leather backing. To make them SCA-legal, the vambraces were complemented with all-metal removable cops for the elbows protection, adorned with corresponding Celtic entrelac along the borders and etched hound on the side rondel. Adjustable leather belts with brass buckles are used for fastening the armor to the forearm, and leather laces for attaching the elbow cops.
The etched pattern depicting a hound echoes famous Celtic ornaments, formed by an endless interlacing of lines, loops, spirals and knots. In Celtic mythology, the hound accompanied the god-healer Nodens and was one of the attributes of the solar god Lugh. The image of a dog was the embodiment of devotion, guard force, and vigilance. Splint bracers are available with Western style pattern as well.
You are welcome to check the matching Splinted Greaves with Knee Cops, and straight Handmade Splint Combat Bracers.
To check how to measure yourself please click here.
Please contact us if you have any additional questions.
Important note: please take into account that we need your measurements in gambeson or other under-armour gear you are planning to use with this armor. The only exception is when you are ordering both armour and padding from our company — in this case you can send us your body measurements.
Safety disclaimer: Sword-fighting and fencing is a dangerous sport. Fencing, historical fencing, medieval reenactment and martial arts as well as other related types of activity, are inherently connected to a certain risk level of injuries or death. The Company declines all responsibility for any traumas or harm done to oneself or to the third person, along with any material or consequential damage, impaired during the products usage. We admonish that all acts with armour, weapons or their components have to be performed before designated person who is responsible for safety of the particular event and accredited to supervise armour and sport weapon conformance to the event’s standards.
Materials:
- Stainless steel 18 ga (1 mm) - splints;
- Stainless steel 16 ga (1.5 mm) - elbows;
- Genuine leather;
- Cast brass rivets;
- Split leather lining.
Features:
- Removable elbows;
- Etched Celtic pattern;
- Buckled leather straps;
- Mild steel option upon request.
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Yuri 10 of August 2020:
Can this be ordered without etching?
ArmStreet Team:Yes, please simply leave this request in the comment section to your order at the checkout.
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Samael 25 of February 2012:
These are a great start to anyone practicing, reenacting, or just plain collecting. Awesome product.
ArmStreet team:Thank you, Samael!
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13 Comments
Can this be used in a heavy combat sport??
Can these be ordered without the etching and just plain steel?
Hi Mike! Yes, it is possible. Please simply leave this request in the comment to your order.
These are absolutely gorgeous. My only question is whether or not these can be made with spring steel bars instead of stainless or mild.
Thank you! We do not work with sprig steel so far, sorry, only stainless or mild options are available.
Can these be upgraded to 16ga. (still stainless, still etched)? We hit hard in the midwest! Beautiful pieces, btw!
Yes, the bracers can be made out of 16 ga (1.5 mm) stainless steel for $120 extra. If this works for you, please order via the site and add a comment about upgrade to your order. We'll send an invoice for the extra charge directly to your PayPal email.
What the great etching on this bracers! Love em!
Thank you!
Amazing craftsmanship, extremely well finished! Im in a reenachtment group and in a mercenary company during the 13th centuary. Do you have or know where I can get clear reference to these pieces in that time period (give or take 100 years) to confirm there use? If I can confirm this than Im keen to purchase both the arm and leg braces. Look forward to your reply. Marcus
Actually these bracers are not a historical reconstruction - this is our version of the early medieval armor, the quintessence of European and Eastern armour elements.
We can recommend you this article for the historical justification of such armour, example of reconstruction of splinted greaves.
Could you make these with the bracers and the elbow cops customly carved? I thought of a two headed snake on the bracers and ouroboros carved into the circular shape of the elbow cops. Of course in a fashion similar to the dragons. If you could, that'd set the question.
Yes, custom etching is possible, please send the illustration to contact@armstreet.com.
What Gauge is used for the arms and the elbows?
18 ga (1 mm) stainless steel. Welcome!
Is it possible to get these splinted arms and cops in plain stainless? The etching (as shown) is inappropriate for my period and location.
Can be made without etching upon request, simply add a comment to your order.
These are wonderful! What gauge steel and can they be done in spring or stainless?
They come in 18 ga (1 mm) stainless steel by default. We don't use spring steel, except of the nosal elements for the helmets, sorry.
can other armor pieces be etched? awesome work!
Yes, currently we can make etching on not too complicated shaped armor. Custom etching may take significant time and be comparatively pricey, but we are ready to start if the project looks interesting!
These are fantastic!!! Is the price for a pair or just one arm???
This listing is for two bracers and two elbow cops: left and right. Welcome!
can you customize the etched design in the bracer?
Custom etching is possible, please send the illustration to contact@armstreet.com. Price depends on the complexity of the ornament and its size. Then we'll be able to estimate the price and processing time.