Frequently Asked Questions

What is Courbouille Hardening? I've seen similar products as yours on other sites describing this method of crafting. Does it provide more protection?

"Courbouille" or "boiled" leather is just that. The leather is actually boiled in water or wax. This is a delicate process but if done correctly, it hardens the leather to near-wood hardness. Some companies misrepresent the coubouille method by merely soaking their leather in warm water to soften it. Then they shape it and let it dry. This is NOT Courbouille hardening. If these types of products are subjected to any significant degree of humidity or water they will lose their shape and subsequently, their protectiveness. An example of "water hardened" leather subjected to rain is shown below.

Water Hardened Quiver             "Water Hardening" subjected to rain.

Do you have any examples of your colors side by side?

Yes. You can see them here.

Didn't you have a "Stage and Screen" page where you listed all of your credits? Where did it go?

You can now find a link to this page at the top of our "Pics and Praise" page.

I've have seen items listed on your website in an almost identical state on another, even to the point where the photo looks identical. Do you supply other companies with your products?

No, we do not wholesale our products (see "wholesale inquiries", above) There may be companies present who portray our products for the sale of their own. We can guarantee that the products shown on our website are the original products and have dated photographic proof of same. In addition, we can say that if you purchase products from another company with our photos, you will not get what is depicted on their website. In the end, these types of business practices will catch up with those who use others for their own benefit.

What's with the Crest at the top of the website pages? Are you really descendants of middle ages armourers?

Actually, yes we are. The family crest you see depicted on the top of our web pages is our own family crest.We are descended directly from the Schmitthenner family and the history of the line that crafted armour for mercenaries to the Price and the Royal Guard whom protected the Emporer.We have the documentation available if there are any doubts, and will glady prove it, if you like.

Do you do Custom orders?

Yes, we do. Most of our leather armour is custom made to our customers specific measurements and as such is custom made.

However, we occasionally craft armour from drawings or pictures/ideas as well. Since the current work load and seasonal fluctuations in orders can vary, however, it may take up to several months to complete these custom orders, depending on the complexity and size of the project. Custom orders such as these require at least a 50% deposit which is applied to research and design, initial materials, etc. We normally ask that you provide as much detailed information regarding your custom order including pictures, measurements, types of materials, drawings. etc. We will in turn get back to you with a price quote for your order.

I just placed an order. When can I expect to arrive? (CRAFTING TIMES AND PRODUCTION DATES)

Production of orders vary at different time of year, but as a rule we require 5-8 weeks to craft and ship most of our items. This may not be the case in all circumstances but as a rule of thumb the usual guideline.

Please see our "Policies and Terms" on our "Policies" page for further details on crafting and production times.  

We do not keep an inventory of most of our products. Most items are handcrafted custom to order. Orders are produced in the order in which payment is received. Production & shipment dates will vary depending on the time of year and volume of orders we are processing and crafting.  

Note: further delays in addition to our crafting time may occur due to a lack of information provided. We cannot be held responsible for additional delays in crafting for information requested which is not provided for your custom order. This includes measurements, color choices where necessary, style of elbow or knee cops and hardware options. DO NOT LOG ANY COMPLAINT FOR AN ORDER WHICH YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED DUE TO LACK OF INFORMATION PROVIDED. There are any number of ways to make sure we receive all of your information, including notating your order during placement of you order in the optional note area, sending an additional email citing the preferences, or calling us during normal business hours and/or leaving a message outlining the appropriate desires. If you have not received your order in a timely fashion and you have found that some information may have been missing from your original order, please let us know. If you believe that you should have received your order by now and haven't, it is most likely due to this lack of information.

Last week your shopping cart system was operational and I was able to place an order. Now, I can't find any shopping cart buttons for the items I wanted. Is it my system or a problem with the website?

Depending on circumstances including the time of year, current production work, and fluctuations in order volume, our shopping cart system may be removed from time to time. This is specifically employed so that we can ensure that orders can be addressed on a one by one basis. Many times customers who order items may not be aware that the item(s) requested may be custom crafted to order and may take several weeks to ship. The absence of the shopping cart is a precautionary measure. During these periods items with shopping carts present are "in stock" and can be shipped realtively quickly. Call or email us to see if your items may arrive in the desired time frame.

 Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we ship worldwide. Our shopping cart system is set up only for domestic (Lower 48 United States) shipping. Please email or call for international rates and payment options.

Would you sell me a pattern of your armor?

Uhm, no. The amount of work that goes into designing and patterning out armour is part of a trade that is the smith's lifestyle. Selling patterns is a good way to build our competition without any effort on their part. There are already many others whom copy ours and others work simply because they lack the creativity to create their own. It would be silly for us to entertain making it any easier for them. Not that you would, but we hope you can understand. Sorry.

I placed an order a week ago through your shopping cart ID #XXXXXXXXXXXXX. I have not received any confirmation or tracking information. Why?

We try to keep it simple here at the Armory. Your shopping cart ID # IS   the confirmation of your order. If you wish to have an email confirmation and we will happily send you one on request. 

I am trying to place an order through your shopping cart. Where do I put my measurements and color choices?

Our checkout system includes a section for you to place an "additional note". This is where we prefer you to list any measurements, color choices, "need by dates", or additional information.

I forgot to include my measurements! What do I do?

Simply send us a quick email defining your information. We'll make sure we get your order notated.

Do you sell wholesale?

No. Unfortunately we have tried this, and certain entities who shall remain nameless here have ruined it for anyone else.

 After we had been selling wholesale to these persons for some time, we found that they had been disassembling our products, making patterns for themselves, and replicating them as their own. They even have used the same names for the products, and still do to this day. Yeah, we know it's pretty underhanded...but trust that the way of natural "cause and effect" will restore balance in this as in all things.

We don't believe that all people are this deceptive, but a bad first experience has ended this for future possibilities.

Color Samples

Leather hides vary in tannage and this can effect the end result of any leather order. We normally use a variety of 7/8, 8/10, 10/12 and 13/15 oz leather for our products. In general, the 7/8 oz leather has the greatest difference of shade in comparison to the others. Below we have matched 7/8 oz leather and 10/12 oz leather to show the average comparison depending on what is termed "LARP" grade and "Armor Grade" leather and how the color will likely differ between the two. Lighter colors can also be achieved.

7/8 oz leather is shown on the left, 10/12 oz on the right. Shown are exactly the same dye shade used on two different weights of leather. Some colors have little or no difference in shade, a few have decidedly different shades as the final color due to the variation on tannage of the hides.

   Yellow Tan                  Tan                  Med Brown             Dark Brown

  Light Green             Dark Green                 Blue                    Purple

       Red                     Oxblood                   Black