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SPES products - technology & methods of manufacturing
Machine-made standard
- products with visible signs of using modern methods and tools in their production; e.g. visible outside and inside seams in clothing made with the use of a machine.
Mixed standard
- products with visible signs of using both modern and traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. main, inside seams in clothing are made with the use of a machine while outside stitches and details are sewn by hand.
Hand-made standard
- goods with visible signs of using only traditional methods and tools in their production; e.g. all seams in clothing are sewn by hand.
*NOTE. We always use high quality materials and fabrics while making our products - the above standards of their production are not related to the materials used.
Early gambeson with short sleeves is a type of quilted armour which is a simple variation of an early gambeson. It will work perfectly as a medieval gambeson on or under armour. It’s an essential part of a set of armour and allows you to freely adjust the protection level.
This type of early gambeson is quilted with vertical straps and is entirely made of linen. Its length reaches the knees while the sleeves reach the user’s elbows.
This particular piece of quilted armour is put on over the head and tied up with a leather strap on the left arm. This model of early gambeson does not have a collar. The lower section in front and back has cutouts reaching the crotch. These are finished with leather triangles. This solution makes our battle tunic more convenient during a fight.
The basic version of this quilted armour has a straight bottom brim. Still, there is an option of choosing more ornamental bottom brim for our battle tunic - with long, semi-oval cutouts. If you want this option, please choose a proper version while placing the order:
PMLS0324, PMLR0328 - basic version
PMLS0325, PMLR0329 - version with ornamental bottom brim.
The whole product is made in one level of thickness - Y1. You can modify the level of amortization layers in this early gambeson. To do this, please contact our Sales Department.
More about the levels of quilted garments thickness can be found here
You can also choose one of various colors available for a battle tunic. Color chart can be found here.
This early gambeson is available in standard size set - XS to XXL. For an extra charge (20% of the price) you can order a customized clothing matching your individual measurements. To choose your size, follow the chart below:
Size
Chest girth
Waist girth
Hips girth
Height
XS
84-92 cm
72-80 cm
88-96 cm
164-170 cm
S
92-100 cm
80-88 cm
96-104 cm
170-176 cm
M
100-108 cm
88-96 cm
104-112 cm
176-182 cm
L
108-116 cm
96-104 cm
112-120 cm
182-188 cm
XL
116-124 cm
104-112 cm
120-128 cm
188-194 cm
XXL
124-132 cm
112-120 cm
128-136 cm
194-200 cm
Custom
Individual measurements. Price + 20%.
Please type the chosen size in the additional information window.
Quilted armour in historical sources
This model of an early gambeson was inspired by patterns from Maciejowski Bible from the end of 13th century. The pages of this richly illustrated manuscript present knights wearing quilted armours reaching knees, with sleeves reaching elbows, cutouts on both sides and - depending on a model - straight bottom brim or a decorative one.
Features of our early gambeson:
↪ lightweight and simple model of quilted armour
↪ perfect as outer layer and under armour
↪ enables a free modification of armour
↪ early gambeson made of linen
↪ cutouts reaching crotch on front and back
↪ one level of amortization layer in whole product
↪ standard size chart (XS-XXL)
↪ option of changing the level of amortization
Early gambeson in the Middle Ages
Quilted armour is a very broad term but often used with early gambesons of loose-cut and put on over the head. It applies to findings and former iconography. The basic and probably most important source with various depictions of quilted tunics is Morgan Bible, dated at 13th century. It was our main source of inspiration while making this early gambeson.
This type of quilted armour was worn during battles and medieval tournaments together with other arming garments, e.g. a chain mail. Sometimes, to increase the level of protection, users stitched chain mail pieces between the layers of the quilted tunic.
Later, quilted armour has undergone numerous changes. It started to be more fitted to the body shape, closed with buttons or straps. These solution have made a traditional quilted tunic look like a relic of the past but also as a symbol of past times. Among aketons, quilted clothing includes bonnets, hoods, legs, gloves, shin guards, and pants.
The upgrading of SPES gambesons design
Currently, we are working on implementing to our assortment the upgraded versions of our well-known gambesons. Changes include:
- improving the functionality and mobility of our aketons
- layers’ thickness (check the chart with levels of amortization)
- directions and shape of stitchings
- minor changes in cut (for better fitting)
- and most of all, matching the gambesons to our six-levels size set: XS-XXL (NOTE: you can still order a custom-sized gambeson)
Therefore, you can be sure that upgraded SPES gambesons are even better suited to your needs. And if you have any questions about mentioned changes in any model, contact us - we will dispel the doubts!
To make each gambeson stand out even more, we gave them unique names. From now, Padden tunic TYPE 1 is named Early gambeson with short sleeves.