Side plate from a German cuisse circa 1470-90
This plate provided additional protection for the side of the leg. 12" tall. Holes for attachment of hinges and other plates. Point at the top over the hole used to attach the upper plates. Beveled top edge.
.038 - .060" thick. Generally thicker toward the top. Mostly .040-.050". Part of the rear edge is cracked. It shows no sign of deformation, it seems to have fractured cleanly. This suggests that the plate was formed from steel and hardened.
Not for sale.
Pauldron circa 1480-1500
Main plate from a pauldron. One piece with radiating flutes in the back, parallel horizontal flutes at the top and vertical flutes in the front. Together with a modern copy made as a mate. This was in the Granscay collection, the well made mate was likely made by the armourers at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The original has significant modern patches riveted inside.
Not for sale.
Brigandine plates 15th-16th c
From the Thames at the Queensbury Dock, near Southwark bridge. Composed of 4 different plates, varying in size. One with star-decorated rivets. Two with capped rivets. One larger with many rivets.
Not for sale.
Brigandine plates 15th-16th century
Brigandine plates. 14 small and 2 larger plates from a brigandine. The two large plates are 6 1/4 and 6 1/2 inches long, and just over 3/4 inches wide. They have a row of closely-spaced rivets at the upper edge. The rivets are app. 3/8 inch on center. The smaller plates are also slightly over 3/4 inches tall. Most are app. 1 1/2 inches long. The smaller plates fall into 2 types. 13 are rectangular/trapezoidal with (generally) 2 rivets at the upper edge. The last plate is oval and has 3 rivets which are of a different form - larger, flatter heads. The plates vary signifcantly in curvature. Many seem to have been flattened or bent after their working life.
Not for sale.
Skull cap circa 1500
One piece bowl cut out over the ears. Pierced with 2 small holes above each ear and one at the front and back. Painted with 57 inside. Brass tag stamped 650 attached to one side. From the George F. Harding Collection, previously ex collection Archduke Eugen - Fortress Hohenwerfeni.
8 1/4in. long, 7in. wide, 4in. deep.
Thickness varies. Generally the thickest area is around the edge where there are some spots which reach .11in, on average closer to .095in. One inch in from the edge is is app. .090in (varying between .085 and .1). Two inches in it is app. .075 in, varying up to .085. Three inches in the thickness is generally .060-065in. Assuming the progression of thickness is indicative of the manufacture, it seems that the arches over the ears were likely cut from the completed form since thethickness is consistent with simlar distances from the main edge, not from the edge of the arch.
Not for sale.
Tasset terminal plate circa 1505
German. Rectangular form with widely spaced radiating flutes. Flutes with parallel incised lines on each side except for the outer-most flute which is formed as a step and only has one incised line. Upper edge bevelled, lower edge with recessed border and simple ridge simulating a roll. Holes indicate this plate was originally attached ot the other plates by a sliding rivet at the outer edge and an interior leather at the center and inner edge.
4 1/4in. tall.
Thickness varies between .060in, and .035in. Generally between .050 and .045, thinning toward the bottom and inner end.
Not for sale.
Spaulder plate circa 1510
Main plate from a left spaulder. Nice shape swellng at the top. Central vertical crease. Upper edge with a recessed band as a decorative (and stiffening) border. A single hole for a buckle at the center of the top. 3 holes for attachment of the other plates - one near the back corner for a sliding rivet, the other two at the center and front, placed higher for the attachment of leathers.
4 3/4" tall, 6 1/4" wide at the widest point.
.028-.038" thick. Generally slightly thinner at the middle.
Not for sale.
Crinet Plates circa 1510-20
Likely Italian. 2 lames most likely forming the second and third plates from the top of the crinet (the top plates that are not attached to the chanfron). The edges with half rolls and bordered by a line of lining holes. Decorated with etching. Etching closely resembles that on Mantova B-10 and similar to the etching on the subsidiary plates of Henry VIII "tonlet" armour from 1520
Not for sale.
Backplate circa 1510-20
German. 5 sprays of flutes, 5 flutes in the center spray, 3 each in the other sprays. Flutes radiate from the bottom. Arm holes bordered with a simple raised ridge. 2 holes at the center top. Likely trimmed slightly at the top. Heavily worn, much of the engraved lines on each flute worn away. Formed of a main plate with 2 small extension plates. Waist lame with 3 dependent culet lames. Culet with 3 sprays of flutes. Internal riveted patches in culet lames.
Height - main plate 12 3/4 in. tall. 14 3/4 in. wide under the arms, 10 1/2 in. wide at the waist (center of the waist lame).
Thickness .030 in. to .064 in. On average around .050. There are no signs of intentionally thin or thick areas.
Not for sale.
German child"s backplate circa 1520
Made for a child"s armour. Remains of Nuremburg guild mark on the right shoulder. It has been heavily patched with well executed riveted patches.
Not for sale.
Bottom plates from a pair of German Tassets circa 1520-30
of bright steel embossed and engraved in imitation of the slashed civilian clothing of the period. Each curved to the shape of the thigh, the lower edge (cracked) boldy roped and bordered by a recessed border defined by 2 ridges. The upper edge cusped in the center. Domed brass rivets replaced. Height 5 inches (12.8 cm). Provenance F.H. Cripps-Day. Exhibited Wilmer House Museum, Farnham, 3-29 April 1962, No. 8.
Not for sale.
Tasset plates circa 1530?
German. 1 large terminal plate and 2 small plates. Closely set flutes. One lame detatched.
Bottom plate 3 1/4 in. tall. Other plates 1 1/2 in. tall, broadening to 1 5/8 or 1 3/4 in. at the rivet locations.
Thickness varies .060-.020 in., generally .045-.040 in.
Not for sale.
South-German Tassets mid 16th century
For a half armour. Seven lames, the upper four detachable. Creased center line. Hammered floral decor, turned and roped edges, lateral double decorative lines. Decorative file work at the centers of the tops of the lames. Very nice, full form. Old leathers (one detatched from one plate). Old rivets and matching buckles (some tongues defective).
Not for sale.
Tournament Visor circa 1550
Tournament visor.
Not for sale.
South German Armour Parts circa 1550-60
Pauldrons, fauld and tassets. All matching. Rolled and roped borders with parallel pairs of raised lines as border. Pauldrons of 6 upward-lapping lames in a particularly German fashion normally associated with Augsburg. Pauldron plates attached by leathers at most points. Sliding rivets at the back of the lower 5 plates. Fauld of 3 lames with sliding rivets and internal leathers including an edge leather for lining. Fauld with central crease and parallel lines at the ends of the plates. Center of bottom plate arched slightly with rolled and roped border. Matching tassets of 5 lames connected by sliding rivets at the outer edge and internal leathers at the center and inside. Tassets suspended from the fauld by 3 buckles each. Buckles with filed decoration. Rolled edges on the inside and bottom of the tasset plates. The pauldrons and tassets retain leather strips riveted inside the outer edge for securing the linings.
Not for sale.
Greaves circa 1560
Flemish. Covering the front and outside of the shin and calf. Right from the period, left of somewhat heavier form and likely more recently made to match. From the George F. Harding Collection
Not for sale.
Italian Backplate circa 1560-80
Good form, designed for use without a fauld. Arm, neck and bottom edges with rolled and slightly roped borders. Arm and neck rolls formed over wire, the roll on the waist flair is smaller in diamer and shows no sign of ever having wire inside. Raised decorative bead running parallel to the arm holes and along the neck (descending at the center of the back). The decorative bead also roped. Engraved line at center - along the backbone. Rusted and cleaned.
Height (inside, neck hole to waist flair) 14 3/8 inches, width under arm holes 14 inches (narrowing to 13 1/4 at the very front edge), width at waist 11 inches, width of neck hole app. 9 1/2 inches, width at top 12 1/8 inches, the waist flair mostly app. 3/4 inch wide, narrowing at the center to 1/2 inch.
Thickness .020 in. to .050 in. Mostly .032 - .040. Thickness varies without any real pattern, possibly generally thinner at the most dished areas.
Not for sale.
German (possibly Brunswick) Munion shoulder from a pair of munions circa 1570
Very full shape, 6 plates, creased center line with filed notch. Bold roped lower border with double incised line decoration. Originally smooth finish, clean light gray patina. Lower buckle for attachment to arm. Original sliding rivets in rear and 2 bands of old leather.
Not for sale.
Italian Pauldron late 16th cent
Large main plate overlapping those above and below. 2 plates avove, 4 below. Main edges with inward-truned rolls and recessed borders. For use with a floating elbow or with elbow gauntlets. Brass-capped rivets.
Thickness varies between .022 and .058 in., mostly .035-.040 in. There seems to be very little pattern to the thickness variation. There has certainly been some loss due to oxidation.
Not for sale.
German Greave plate (front) late 16th cent
Originally part of a complete cased greave. Designed to be worn with a full legharness and mail sabatons. Greave has good shape and terminates at the ankle where it has a rolled edge and a series of small holes for the attachment of the mail sabaton. The turning hook used to secure it to the lower plate of the poleyn remains. There is a brass collection tag with the number c. 27, and a paper one with the number c. 57. This was originally a very nice piece - it has a wide etched bands of decoration at the center and narrow bands at each edge. There are remnants of gilt in the etching. This style of greave built for use with a mail sabaton was often used in Italy. The style of etching is associated with Augsburg Germany. The etched decoration is app. 1/2" wide at the sides. The central band tapers from app. 2 1/8" to 1 1/2".
Height 12 in. at the center crease, 4 1/2" wide at the calf, 3" wide at the ankle.
Varies between .018" and .036" thick. It is generally thicker near the ankle and thinner at the calf.
Not for sale.
Shoulder plates late 16th, early 17th c.
Shoulders for a pair of munions. composed of 5 plates each. bottom plate with rolled edge.
Not for sale.
plates Late 16th cent.
5 plates from a pauldron. Plates originally atached with sliding rivets at the back and leathers at the front and center. Each plate decorated with an incised line. Bottom plate with a rolled and roped border.
Not for sale.
Pair of tasset lower plates circa 1580
Narrow rolled decoration with fine roping. Short sections of sunk border with additional recessed flute. Embossed decoration. Black ground with polished raised decoration of stylized leaves, vines and zoomorphic heads.
Not for sale.
Tassets circa 1580
Tassets each of five upward-lapping lames. The rounded bottom edge of the final lame with a full inward turn and parallel ridge, each roped. The ends of each plate with roped half-rolls. Each tasset with a central crease and small filed notch at the center of the top edge. Tassets originally designed for 3 buckles, re-fitted for 2 buckles to match the fauld lame on the breastplate A-114b. Right tasset with 2 notch assembly marks on inside of the plates.
Not for sale.
Spaulder circa 1580
Formed of 7 upward-lapping plates. The top two plates are attached by a sliding rivet at the back, central leather and a rivet at the front. The remaining plates are attached with sliding rivets at the back and leather strips at the center and front. All leathers originally secured to the plates with 2 rivets on each plate. Full rolled and roped edges at the top, front and bottom. Raised edge at the rear. Very nice form, swelling up to fit the shoulder. Central crease.
Overall height 14 1/4 with the rear sliding rivets collapsed and 15 1/2 inches when extended (slots vary in length, generally 1/2-5/8 inch long and 2 are not presently sliding due to tight rivets and later internal paint), width 7 1/2 inches at the widest point and 5 1/8 inches at the elbow - measured roll to roll (the lower rear corner is curved in at the back so that the edges are 4 5/8 inches apart).
Not for sale.
Greaves and Sabatons circa 1580
The greaves formed of two plates front and back formed to the leg hinged on the outside and secured by pins on the inside. Each with a sabaton of 9 plates (4 small plates overlapping a larger center plate then 3 smaller and terminal plate overlapping the central plate in the other direction) with terminal plate of boxed form turned over at the front and sides. Main plates creased at the center of the front and back. Sabatons creased at the center of the 4 plates closest to the greave, the crease ending in the main central plate. Small inward-turned, roped rolls formed around a wire at the bottom of the greave plates and very small, fine outward turned roll at the top of the back plate (behind the knee). The rear plate pierced with a hole for the spur. An additional plate rivetted into the inside of the plate to provide a threaded attachment for the spurs. 2 hinges on the outside of each greave. Hinges fully wrapped. The barrels cut into 4 sections (2 on each side). The ends rounded and filed to form simple flowers. Stamped with curved accents to emphasize the shape. Attached to the front and rear by one rivet each. Sabaton plates attached by sliding rivets at each side and originally 2 leather straps (one on each side of the instep, most of the inner remaining on both). Remains of leather strap in the base of the toe plate to secure sabaton to the shoe. 18 in. tall. Sabaton 11 3/4 in. from the back of the heel to the front of the toe. 80 painted inside the back plate of the right greave. From the George F. Harding Collection
Not for sale.
Tasset end plate circa 1580
Single plate. Inward turned roll around the bottom edge extending up the sides. 2 keyhole slots at the top for attachment to the upper tasset plates. Embossed and recessed decoration with etching. Recessed border around the edge with etching. Central band of etching. Purportedly from the Madrid Real Armeria after the Spanish Civil War.
Not for sale.
Crinet plates circa 1580
3 plates, most likely the second, third and fourth plates from the head. Decorated with raised ovals bridging the plates. Etched decoration overall in the recessed aras and a narrows band of roped etching around the ovals. Retaining many original rivets including 2 rivets with decorative washers for securing straps. The plates were originally secured with central sliding rivets and leathers on each side. Purportedly from the Lisbon armoury.
Not for sale.
Cheek plates circa 1580-1600
2 parts of a cheek plate - probably from a cabasset, possibly from a morion. These plates were originally of high quality. The rolled and roped border on the edges of the plates are tall, squared, and even. The roping is deep and crisp. The roll on the bottom plate is terminated cleanly with a step to allow the upper plate to overlap it. The bottom edge of the upper plate is cusped and beveled.
Not for sale.
Italian Tassets 16th c. (2nd half)
Composed of 9 lames. The edges of the plates rolled and roped. The upper plate with 2 holes for the attachment of the suspension buckles. The plates secured to each other by a row of sliding rivets at the outer edge and 2 rows of leathers (expertly replaced in the past). The tassets have been etched in the "Pisan" manner - with trophies of armor etc.
Not for sale.
Knee lame 16th century
Filed notch decoration at crease, double incised lines at top, rolled and roped edge with recessed decoration border. Border includes an additional raised line. Old patch and 1 remaining brass-headed rivet on one end.
Not for sale.
Tasset plates 16th cent.
3 plates from a tasset. Edges rolled. Bottom plate with turning pin for the attachment of extended lower tasset plates.
Not for sale.
Backplate circa 1600
Backplate. Probably German. High quality with engraved lines at the center of the back. Waist flaired agressively. Rolled and roped borders on the arms, waist flair and neck. Arms, neck and waist flair also bordered by a shallow recessed band. Roped edges change angle of the roping at the middle reflecting higher quality work and more care than is usual on munition pieces. Hinged, threaded post at the waist for the attachment of a removable culet (rear portion of the fauld). This method of attachment is rarely illustrated since armours are not often illustrated from the back. For an illustration of this mechanism used to secure tassets to a breastplate see page 94-95 of Les armures des Rois de France au Musee de l"Armee (inv. G.196). The ends of the arm and waist rolls are stepped to allow the breastplate to overlap the backplate app. 3/4 inch. Remains of old cloth strip secured by rivets and washers inside the waist flair. Rivets are iron with brass caps. Rivets, washers and cloth appear to be working life. 2 brass-capped rivets on the right side of the waist with remants of leather remain. On the left side there is one rivet and one post with a horizontal hole (both with remains of leather as well). Rectangular iron roller buckles are secured to each shoulder by iron, sheet mounts. Height (neck to waist flair, inside) 14 1/2 inches, width at base of arm hole 12 5/8 inches, width at waist 11 inches, width of neck hole 6 3/8 inches, overall width at top 9 3/4 inches.
Not for sale.
Shoulder from a munion circa 1600
Formed of 5 plates attached with leathers at the back, center and front. The top plate relatively narrow and the bottom one with an inward-turned roll at the bottom.
Not for sale.
German Knee with lames and terminal plate circa 1620
For attachment to lamed legs. Seven total plates. Cop with central raised ridge, all plates with chiseled line borders, rolled edges and rivet decoration. From the Boston Museum of Fine Art - including 1929 acquisition number - 1099.29 Old de-lamination in some plates, old patch to lower plate. Possibly originally blackened.
Not for sale.
Knee circa 1620
from a 3/4 armour comprising the knee cop, large lower lame designed for use without a greave, 2 upper lames and a third detachable lame that originally formed the lower lame of the tasset. Embossed with a flower at the center of the knee and a raised, roped ridge from the flower to the center of the wing. Main outer edges with inward-turned rolled and roped borders. Wing with a recessed border. Rivets appear to be working life rivets. Knee plates secured to the tasset plate by a keyhole engaging a rivet on the outside and a keyhole with a turning hook on the inside. Main surface rough from the hammer. Flower polished. Thickness varies between app. .035 in. and .050 .in - mostly app. .040 in.
Not for sale.
Backplate circa 1640
One piece with integral collar. Flair at the waist. Rolls at the neck, arms and waist. Remains of stamps near the neck.
Not for sale.
Backplate circa 1640
One piece with integral collar. Flair at the waist. Rolls at the neck, arms and waist. Remains of stamps near the neck - IW and one less clear which appears to be an a surmounted with something (some version of the London Armourer"s company mark). IW is recorded as registered to John Wright between 1637-1647 and also seems to have been used by Joseph Whorewood between 1648 and 1678.
Not for sale.
Knee cop 17th century
cuirassier knee cop.
Not for sale.
Munion plates 17th cent.
3 plates from the shoulder of a munion. Bottom plate with a rolled border and buckle.
Not for sale.
Buckle 17th century or later
Of iron, Decorated. With later metal mount. Round tongue
Not for sale.
Buckle 2nd half of the 16th century
Made and mounted for use as a shoulder buckle on a breastplate. Cut from sheet and filed. Tongue formed from thinner sheet, tapering to a point. The mounting plate is attached to the rear portion of the buckle so that the strap can pass under the breastplate when in use. Most likely German
Not for sale.
Rondel circa ?
rondel for an armet. Heavily cusped edge, fluted. Rough. Pitted and cleaned. With central post for attachment to helmet
Not for sale.