This is a quick study of details of the rolls, hinges, pins and overlaps used on the top lames of gorgets.
This is just a first stab at the concept based on a few easily accessible pieces. I needed new images, and these pieces aren't burried in suits. They do provide a reasonable understanding of three very different roll styles.
Over time I hope to fill it out with additional examples that will help provide a more complete picture of how these rolls are made. At the same time I have included some discussion of the hinges, pins and overlaps. These are often hard to understand from museum displays where they are usually burried inside the suits.
This shows details of a very early 16th c. gorget.
Like all of the rest of these, the roll at the neck is an inward turned roll. Unlike many, it is not roped and it is angular in shape. This is similar to the shape that was comon on breastplates of the time.
The hinge is a separate element riveted to the inside of the upper neck plates. It is set into a notch in the front plate.
There are a lot of other oddities in this gorget. They are by no means unique, but they don't seem to have been a winning style. This construcion doesn't last long.
The hinge is on the right (not the left). The pin is on the left (again, backwards) and there are not provisions to secure the main plates to each other. Some of the other early gorgets are constructed like this, others have detachable pins on both sides instead of a pivot and keyhole.
Also, the upper lames are secured to each other and to the lower plates by angled sliding rivets instead of leathers.
This shows details of an early 16th c. "Maximilian" gorget.
The hinge is integral. It is formed from the ends of the upper plate. It is formed with two knuckles front and back.
The roll is large, heavily roped and hollow. It is turned in as is usual for 16th c. rolls.
The profile image shows that the roll is very tall - extending out from the base material - and it extends from the base plate to form a nearly perpendicular face. This would serve to deflect weapons that might slide up the neck.
The side that opens is secured by pins. One remains, one is lost. The pins engage holes in the other plate. The spring of the plate allows them to be disengaged to open the gorget and keeps it closed.
This shows details of a mid to later 16th c. Augsburg gorget.
The hinge is integral. It is formed from the ends of the upper plate. It is formed with two knuckles front and back.
The roll is almost solid. It is formed by rolling the metail over on itself like a jelly-roll. This makes the roll very stiff and it would likely help it maintain its round shape in use. This was most likely used with a helmet that had a groove that engaged the gorget roll providing very complete coverage and allowing the head to rotate.
The side that opens is secured by pins. Both remain. The pins engage holes in the other plate. The upper pin is secured to the rear plate and engages a hole in the front plate. The lower pin is secured to the front plate and engages the visible hole in the rear plate. The spring of the plate allows them to be disengaged to open the gorget and keeps it closed. Having two pins likely helps keep the upper edge of the gorget aligned. Now that I am looking for it, I think this is more common than we would expect. The front plate overlaps the rear plate. The rear plate is stepped so that the front plate can sit flush with the rear plate.
The ends of the roll are beveled allowing it to fit very closely when closed.
The profile image shows that the roll is relatively tall - extending out from the base material - and it extends from the base plate to form a nearly perpendicular face. This would serve to deflect weapons that might slide up the neck and to help engage the groove at the base of the helmet. The roping on the roll is relatively shallow and the bottom side if the roll is smooth. Both of these would help it interact well with the helmet.
This shows details of a early-mid 17th c. gorget designed to be used without a breastplate. It would have been worn over a doublet, or buff coat.
The gorget has a short flare that forms the neck protection instead of having separate neck plates. The upper roll is a small inward turned plain roll. Where the plates overlap the roll terminates before the edge of the rear plate allowing for a reasonably smooth surface.
This is a lower end piece desinged for use by soldiers. It does not offer the protection offered by the earlier examples shown, and this type of piece would have been mass produced. This shows how simple something can be and still function as a gorget.