Middle Kingdom Rapier Champions Gorget
In 2005, the Middle Kingdom
Order of the Bronze Ring decided that the kingdoms rapier champion’s regalia
needed to be updated, repaired, etc. My
Warder, Andrew Blackwood MacBaine the Purple suggested to the Order that I be
in charge of creating the Champions Gorget.
The following links are the step-by-step pictures of the gorget
“being born”.
The first set shown is the
pattern I use for all my gorgets. There
are some people out there that don’t like the style I use, but I find them
superior in fit and protection as compared to “collar” gorgets.
The second step was to
transfer the design and cut it into the leather.
Next, the design was
“tooled” into the leather mainly using a beveller and various sculpting spoons.
Once the design was
finished, the gorget was water hardened or Cuir-bouilli
and shaped to fit the neck.
A
light brown antique stain was applied before the design was painted.
Finally, the design was
painted the appropriate colors using a water based acrylic paint.
Once the painting was
finished, the gorget was treated with a satin acrylic spray to protect the pain
and to prevent the stain from leaking.
The gorget was then assembled and padded.
And this is the response I
received from Their Majesties.
