by Haldan

First, find the leather you want to use. I suggest heavy-duty leather (unless you are going to reinforce with metal and then at least 8oz.) on the order of 12-14oz. The characteristic that you should look for is the thickness. The leather should be about twice as thick as a normal belt (SCA type).

Once you have your leather, you need to make a pattern. The graphic has a guide for you to follow. Measurement A is the length of you forearm from just above the wrist bone to about 2 inches (plus or minus a bit) past your elbow. B is the circumference of the largest part of your forearm and any clothing/padding that you wish to wear with the harness plus a tad (1/2" or so). Measurement C should be the circumference around your wrist with any padding, etc.

Once you have these measurements you should be able to create your pattern. You will need to cut 2 of piece #1 (remember to flip the pattern so that you get a left and a right) and 8 of piece #2. Go ahead and cut the 8 of number 2 (they should be 5-6 inches in diameter) and rivet them together (flesh side to flesh side) to make 4 double thickness rondels (the center rivet is optional: especially if you want to tool the leather). DO NOT RIVET WHERE THE STARS ARE!!! The star holes are where you will attach the rondels to piece number 1.

Get your first piece number 1 and make holes (with a drill or awl) where the 'X's are in the graphic. The number of holes really doesn't matter as long as it more than three or four. Get your leather wet and sew the elbow part together so that it will cup your elbow. Once this is done put the harness on and mark where you want to put the buckles and straps. Let the leather dry (preferably around a bottle or something so that it will keep the rounded shape. Go do the same stuff on the other arm. After the leather is dry, get some LONG rivets (3/4 to 1 inch) and rivet the rondels to the outside of the harness on the holes marked with stars. Add your buckles and straps. Put on the harness and look where the elbow is. You will need to drill two holes in each of the rondels to run a string/cord through so that the harness will stay in place and protect your arm. These holes tend to be above where the center rivet would be.

After you have constructed both of these arms, you will need to finish them. Keep in mind that early period peoples did not really have a very good black leather dye and that eventually all the leather faded to brown (of many different shades). A good wax or lacquer will seal the arms and keep moisture from getting into the arms (don't seal the inside or your arms won't fit right!). The arms will feel strange when you wear them. Don't worry. Once the leather has gotten damp (sweat) and dried to your arm a few times they will feel like a second skin.

The heavy leather that I recommended using in the beginning will protect your arm from injury. In most SCA combat you will still feel a sting unless you pad or reinforce it with metal, but you should not get hurt. I've not even had a bruise on the arms since I started wearing them (bet you I just jinxed myself!).

Pattern Reproduced with Permission from Russ Holmes Visit :Athanor