All your chain-mail needs coif, hauberk, chausses, camaille, shirt, trousers, etc. — await in a Fort Collins warehouse, where they share storage space with dyed horsehair helmet crests, steel gauntlet kits (unassembled) and other medieval accessories.
But look elsewhere for maces, daggers, swords and other lethal essentials of the medieval arsenal.
“I don’t do arms right now because I haven’t been satisfied with the quality of arms available,” says Roger Gomez, proprietor of Armadillo Armory.
“We keep looking for a supplier of swords and maces, but none of the samples I’ve seen meet my expectations.”
Tempted to fling down the gauntlet? Better assemble it first, and that’ll be $195.70 (before tax and shipping).
Want an aluminum chainmail shirt that guarantees stares of envy from the Renaissance Festival cast? Suit right up for $387.49.
Gomez’s business is linked to his avocation of establishing a permanent 12th-century-themed site in northern Colorado, a year-long version of the medieval festival he’s held annually in June near Fort Collins. He believes his Medieval World would attract the throngs of historic re-enactors and role-players who make up Armadillo Armory’s customer base, along with students and curious tourists.
Until Gomez can find financial backers, he relies on the warehouse sales for sustenance.
“The question is, how do you bring this to the attention of people with money?” he asked.
“My two problems are that I don’t run in the same circles as eccentric millionaires, and the other is that those people are shielded when I try to contact them.”
An implacable executive secretary, he’s learned, is more invincible than a complete suit of armor.
With or without a mace.
