14th Century "Cats-Paw" Finger Gauntlets
16ga. gauntlets in mild or stainless steel
Available in two sizes or in custom configurations!
Finally! After many people have asked, I have once again begun offering production finger gauntlets. This simple "cats-paw" design incorporates the most common design features for hourglass style gauntlets, historically common from 1350 - 1420 or so.
The unique finger design, which I detailed in Techniques of Medieval Armour Reproduction, protects the fingers with overlapping plates that spread out the impact. Under this is quality 5oz leather, and under this, two layers of felt. No other maker that I'm aware of uses the felt, which is critical for the level of protection offered.
No other style of gauntlet offers such a blend of flexibility and protection. And in this version, the price is also equally hard to beat.
Watch the site for other versions, as we have a Wisby gauntlet and a Bargello gauntlet in production.
Common fingered gauntlet questions
The ones I want are not in stock. How long will it take to get them in? We have a firm development channel for this style and custom gauntlets are currently running about 8-12 weeks, or sometimes less. Rush orders are possible, as well.
The mild and stainless versions are okay, but what about Spring steel? We have these in development, or they can be custom-ordered (12 week delivery).
Can I get them with the brass adornment? We do have some coming in with both Black Prince style lions and we have a Bargello style also in development. This style will offer only a very simple band and cuff adornment for $100/pr. Also in this case, we use brass knuckles and tips for consitency.
I have unsual-shaped hands. Can I custom order? Yes, you can; the cost is $100 for custom fitting.
Are they legal in my group?: You have to check with your local safety officer. For SCA combatants, for example, they are equivalent in protection to a hockey glove, and are allowed in many kingdoms. In most LARPS, WMA groups and re-enactment societies it is no difficulty whatsoever.
Are they safe if the knuckles don't "bottom out" on the baton?: That depends upon what you're fighting with. But I do not agree that bottoming out is safer--it actually forces the finger apart, and reduces grip on the weapon, and thus control. Additionally, the layer of felt differentiates them from other versions, bringing them under the "padded gauntlet" rule.
These are great, but do you have a mitten style? Actually, we do have two mitten gauntlet styles in development. One is a three-piece Italian mitten with an hourglass cuff, and the other is an hourglass style with an anachronistic but effective mitten-style defense for the fingers. Look for the first by December 2009 and the latter in the Spring of 2010.
I'm early 15th century. Are they correct for me? There are examples as late as the middle 15th century for gauntlets like these being depicted in artwork. See in particular the Rout of San Romano by Paolo Uccello. Certainly, the mitten-style is more common, but outlying examples seem to have persisted to at least mid-century. Probably, because they work so well!
Note that the designers, Revival and Revival Martial Arts cannot warrant the safety of our equipment for any particular activity as we cannot know the uses to which our items may be put. Check with your local safety officer regarding specifics for the activity you are pursuing.