Othrim Arms and Armour Guide

The Swordsmen

Weapons of the Othrim Swordsmen

Every Othrim Swordsman should have:
~ One spear
~ One longsword
~ One shield (the shield can be worn on the back while wielding a spear.)
~ One sideweapon (knife or dagger)

Armour of the Othrim Swordsmen:

To defend themselves, the Othrim Swordsmen wear the following when going into combat:
~ One chainmail hauberk
~ One set of greaves
~ One set of vambraces
~ One helmet

The Swordsmen Uniform

Besides the mandatory arms and armour, the Othrim also have a uniform consisting of:
~ A dark blue cloak
~ Cobalt blue tunic
~ Slate grey hoes (leggings)
~ The emblem of Eärendil's star in a fiery crown (Othrim Emblem) on the shield
~ All leather parts of the armour are brown or black

Descriptions of weapons and armour

Weapons:

Spears:
Short, long-bladed
Comment: Used like a javelin or spear rather than a lance. Elves traditionally ride without saddles, and would be knocked from their horses if they used their spears as lances. However, Glorfindel used a saddle, and it is up to the individual soldier to choose whether they wish to use a saddle or not.

Swords:
1) Noldorin: straight, narrow, slender (the comparison of Éowyn with elven blade, LOTR)
sharp-pointed (Silm, passage about argument of Noldorin princes).
Most likely these swords have a diamond-section blade, used for thrusting and cleaving
2) Dwarven-sindar: heavy, broad, long (descriptions of Anglachel and Narsil).
These swords have a rounded tip, so are mostly used for cleaving
Comment: Swords are worn by the side (usually left - opposite to the swordhand)
in a scabbard.

Side weapons:
Knife: Short blade, with one sharp edge. Used for slicing and parrying.
Dagger: Short blade, with two sharp edges. Used for slicing, thrusting and parrying.
Throwing dagger: Light dagger or knife, short range, throwing weapon.
Comment: Of these sideweapons there are no real descriptions found. Knives and daggers are worn by side (usually - right) in sheath.

Shields:

Usually soldiers use round shields made of steel-tapered wood (source - the description of Túrin's shield) with the troop emblem on them - Eärendil's star with the fiery crown in the red square.
Comment: Shields are worn on the back or from a strap hanging from the horses shoulders.

Armour:

Hauberk:
Long shirts of chained mail, reaching the knees. Sleeves reach the wrists. (source: Silm, the description of Gondolin troops)

Vambrace:
Steel plate wrist protection (source: LOTR, ammunition of Prince Imrahil). Covers the arm from wrist up almost to the elbow, and are fixed by buckles.

Greaves:
Plate defenses for the knee and lower leg. They are shaped and hinged to fit the front of the knee, lower leg and calf, and have raised and thickened edges to minimise the chance of these digging into the leg if hit. They are held in place using leather straps that buckle behind the leg, and are essential protection for the cavalry swordsmen to protect them during a charge.

Helmets:
All cavalry swordsmen helms do have backhead and side protection - either in form of aventail (made of chainmail) or plate steel. The form of the helm itself differs according to the wish of soldier:
1)Dwarven and Sindarin: such helms are rounded at top, if the helm is made according the dwarven patterns it can also have eyeguards (halfmask) or full mask, covering all the face (source: UT); (RL - viking type)
2)Noldorin: high-crowned, conical pointed helm, open-faced unlike dwarven ones (source: Silm, amunition of Feanor's sons); (RL - norman, some celtic types)