Allen Antiques

These are the Suits in the Allen study collection.

Black and white half suit circa 1550-1600

composed of a morion formed from 2 pieces, breast with prominent central point, sliding gussets and fauld of 2 lames, munions formed of one large plate front and back with integral shoulders and elbow gauntlets. Breast, main gorget plates, terminal shoulder plates and gauntlet cuffs decorated with arched raised "white" bands instead of the more usual bands parallel to the edge. Gorget neck lames lacking.
Not for sale.

Italian Three-quarter Suit circa 1560-80

Composed Armour. Comprising a breastplate, backplate, morion, gorget, 2 arms and 2 knee length tassets. The armour is composed, possibly from items from a single armoury or collection - at a glance they form an armour but on close inspection the arms do not match and the tasssets are not a pair. The armour retains much black paint finish on all parts. The breast, back and arms date from 1560-80. The Morion may be this early, or it may be as late as 1600. The tassets are most likely contemporary with the cuirass. The breast and backplates fit well together and have similar roped edges. Both are rough from the hammer. they appear to have been originally part of the same armour. The Breastplate has heavily roped borders at the neck and arms. the armholes are formed by a pair of sliding gussets. The breast has the 2 mounting holes used for attachment of a lance rest, so it was originally designed for use by heavy cavalry. Breastplate of mild peascod form with a single lame at the waist. Upper portion of the breast decorated with 2 raised volutes. The gorget is of simple 2 piece form with rolled edges at the neck and around the lower border, possibly 17th century. The helmet is a simple one piece morion with high comb and narrow brim. Comb and edge of the brim roped. Backplate of simple form. Roped borders to neck and arms en suite with the breast. Most of one arm rope lacking due to corrosion. The arms are composed of pauldrons of 9 plates each designed for use either without arms, with floating elbow cops (as currently displayed) or with elbow gauntlets. The elbows are "floaters" - not articulated to the vambrace, instead being attached to the arms by means of leather straps. They are of bracelet form with pronounced roped medial ridges. The left has a recessed border on the wing. The vambraces are designed for use with floating elbows and are formed of 2 pieces, attached by 2 hinges and secured closed by means of a pin. The left has a recessed border at the wrist, the right is plain. both have roped borders at the wrist and inside of the elbow. The tassets are formed of 9 (right) and 11 (left) plates. They are similar in design and construction, but obviously not a pair. The are secured to the fauld by 3 buckles (the left retaining all three original buckles, the right having 2 original and one replacement).
Not for sale.

Details

Italian Half Suit circa 1570

Etched in the "Pisan" fashion. Comprising a cabasset, gorget, breast, back, tassets, pauldrons, arms and gauntlets. Etched overall with wide bands of decoration composed of a central region with figures, trophies and foliage bordered by 3 bands on each side, the central one roped. Pairs of medallions at the center of the neck on the breastplate, the bottom edge of the tassets and on the pauldrons. Decoration not an exact match on the pieces, but of very similar form. Cabasset of good form. Narrow brim with rolled and recessed border. Most original brass capped steel rivets with decorative washers. Some cloth lining band remaining between a few rivets. Point with a nice stalk, bent over to the back. Etched with 6 bands of trophies. Each side decorated with a central panel containing an armoured figure in antique style flanked by angels. Collar of 3 pieces front and back, the main plates with a rolled lower edge Neck plates associated. Pauldrons of 7 lames, 2 above and 4 below the large main plate (similar form and etching, but the right pauldron somewhat larger). Arms formed of a tubular upper cannon with rotating collar, lower cannon of inner and outer plates attached by pairs of hinges at the back and a pin on the inner plate engaging a hole in the outer plate, elbows of bracelet form with rolled edges on the wing attached to the uper and lower cannons by one articulating lame. Simple peascod breastplate with rolls at the neck, arms and between the tassets, the bottom edge of the breast flaired to accept the tassets, etching at the arm holes simulating gussets. Gauntlets with bluntly pointed cuffs, the back of the hands covered by 5 lames, the last formed to the knuckles. Backplate with rolled borders at the neck, arms and bottom edge. Overall decorated with recessed bands and etching. The tassets formed of one piece with simulated lames. The surface overall rusted and cleaned. Much etching remains. Leathers and most rivets replaced. The tassets incorrectly cut apart and re-assembled. The 5 hand lames of the left gauntlet and the top plate of the left tasset replaced.
Not for sale.

European Half Suit circa 1640

A composed half suit of the Cromwellian era. Composed of a good lobster-tailed pot and a breast and back with integral collar. Helmet bowl formed in one piece with raised lines radiating from the center. Articulated tail formed of 4 plates each with rolled outer edges. Secured at the sides by articulating rivets and with the remains of a central leather. 2 cheekplaces with rolled edges and central perforation. Brim fixed to the bowl. Sliding nasal secured by a turn-screw with large flattened head. The center of the bowl has a loop secured through a round washer. Leather strips for securing the lining remain around the tail, cheek plates and bowl. Breast and back rough from the hammer with inward-turned rolls at the neck and arms of the breast and neck,arms and base of the waist flair on the back. Breast with 2 proof marks, most likely pistol given the moderate weight of the breast and minimal depth of the dents. All 3 parts marked. Breast with several marks. The first is the A surmounted by a helmet used by the London Armourer"s company between 1650 and 1660 during the inter-regnum. The others less distinct but probably an R - attributed to Francis Rolenson/Rawlinson - to the left of the crease, the last even less distinct, possibly MM. The inside is marked twice with paint, "219" and what appears to be "9R". Back marked with a L on the collar and the number 2188 below the right shoulder strap. The L is a common mark on English armours, but not currently attributed. The helmet is marked with an M at the point of the brim on the outside and a broad V on the inside of the brim. The breastplate is certainly of English manufacture. The back is associated and is probably English. The marks on the helmet resemble the marks used by the London Armourer"s company, but the one piece form is more typical of the continent and is possibly of German manufacture. Shoulder plates and waist belt replaced. Together with a modern copy of a buff coat and an inferior modern elbow gauntlet. For more information on armours and marks of the London Armourers see The London Armourers of the 17th Century"" by Thom Richardson.""
Not for sale.

Suits that are currently available for purchase

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This site last updated Sat Aug 29 14:19:32 EDT 2009

	Black and white half suit circa 1550-1600 composed of a morion formed from 2 pieces, breast with prominent central point, sliding gussets and fauld of 2 lames, munions formed of one large plate front and back with integral shoulders and elbow gauntlets. Breast, main gorget plates, terminal shoulder plates and gauntlet cuffs decorated with arched raised "white" bands instead of the more usual bands parallel to the edge. Gorget neck lames lacking. Not for sale.
	Italian Three-quarter Suit circa 1560-80 Composed Armour. Comprising a breastplate, backplate, morion, gorget, 2 arms and 2 knee length tassets. The armour is composed, possibly from items from a single armoury or collection - at a glance they form an armour but on close inspection the arms do not match and the tasssets are not a pair. The armour retains much black paint finish on all parts. The breast, back and arms date from 1560-80. The Morion may be this early, or it may be as late as 1600. The tassets are most likely contemporary with the cuirass. The breast and backplates fit well together and have similar roped edges. Both are rough from the hammer. they appear to have been originally part of the same armour. The Breastplate has heavily roped borders at the neck and arms. the armholes are formed by a pair of sliding gussets. The breast has the 2 mounting holes used for attachment of a lance rest, so it was originally designed for use by heavy cavalry. Breastplate of mild peascod form with a single lame at the waist. Upper portion of the breast decorated with 2 raised volutes. The gorget is of simple 2 piece form with rolled edges at the neck and around the lower border, possibly 17th century. The helmet is a simple one piece morion with high comb and narrow brim. Comb and edge of the brim roped. Backplate of simple form. Roped borders to neck and arms en suite with the breast. Most of one arm rope lacking due to corrosion. The arms are composed of pauldrons of 9 plates each designed for use either without arms, with floating elbow cops (as currently displayed) or with elbow gauntlets. The elbows are "floaters" - not articulated to the vambrace, instead being attached to the arms by means of leather straps. They are of bracelet form with pronounced roped medial ridges. The left has a recessed border on the wing. The vambraces are designed for use with floating elbows and are formed of 2 pieces, attached by 2 hinges and secured closed by means of a pin. The left has a recessed border at the wrist, the right is plain. both have roped borders at the wrist and inside of the elbow. The tassets are formed of 9 (right) and 11 (left) plates. They are similar in design and construction, but obviously not a pair. The are secured to the fauld by 3 buckles (the left retaining all three original buckles, the right having 2 original and one replacement). Not for sale. Details
	Italian Half Suit circa 1570 Etched in the "Pisan" fashion. Comprising a cabasset, gorget, breast, back, tassets, pauldrons, arms and gauntlets. Etched overall with wide bands of decoration composed of a central region with figures, trophies and foliage bordered by 3 bands on each side, the central one roped. Pairs of medallions at the center of the neck on the breastplate, the bottom edge of the tassets and on the pauldrons. Decoration not an exact match on the pieces, but of very similar form. Cabasset of good form. Narrow brim with rolled and recessed border. Most original brass capped steel rivets with decorative washers. Some cloth lining band remaining between a few rivets. Point with a nice stalk, bent over to the back. Etched with 6 bands of trophies. Each side decorated with a central panel containing an armoured figure in antique style flanked by angels. Collar of 3 pieces front and back, the main plates with a rolled lower edge Neck plates associated. Pauldrons of 7 lames, 2 above and 4 below the large main plate (similar form and etching, but the right pauldron somewhat larger). Arms formed of a tubular upper cannon with rotating collar, lower cannon of inner and outer plates attached by pairs of hinges at the back and a pin on the inner plate engaging a hole in the outer plate, elbows of bracelet form with rolled edges on the wing attached to the uper and lower cannons by one articulating lame. Simple peascod breastplate with rolls at the neck, arms and between the tassets, the bottom edge of the breast flaired to accept the tassets, etching at the arm holes simulating gussets. Gauntlets with bluntly pointed cuffs, the back of the hands covered by 5 lames, the last formed to the knuckles. Backplate with rolled borders at the neck, arms and bottom edge. Overall decorated with recessed bands and etching. The tassets formed of one piece with simulated lames. The surface overall rusted and cleaned. Much etching remains. Leathers and most rivets replaced. The tassets incorrectly cut apart and re-assembled. The 5 hand lames of the left gauntlet and the top plate of the left tasset replaced. Not for sale.
	European Half Suit circa 1640 A composed half suit of the Cromwellian era. Composed of a good lobster-tailed pot and a breast and back with integral collar. Helmet bowl formed in one piece with raised lines radiating from the center. Articulated tail formed of 4 plates each with rolled outer edges. Secured at the sides by articulating rivets and with the remains of a central leather. 2 cheekplaces with rolled edges and central perforation. Brim fixed to the bowl. Sliding nasal secured by a turn-screw with large flattened head. The center of the bowl has a loop secured through a round washer. Leather strips for securing the lining remain around the tail, cheek plates and bowl. Breast and back rough from the hammer with inward-turned rolls at the neck and arms of the breast and neck,arms and base of the waist flair on the back. Breast with 2 proof marks, most likely pistol given the moderate weight of the breast and minimal depth of the dents. All 3 parts marked. Breast with several marks. The first is the A surmounted by a helmet used by the London Armourer"s company between 1650 and 1660 during the inter-regnum. The others less distinct but probably an R - attributed to Francis Rolenson/Rawlinson - to the left of the crease, the last even less distinct, possibly MM. The inside is marked twice with paint, "219" and what appears to be "9R". Back marked with a L on the collar and the number 2188 below the right shoulder strap. The L is a common mark on English armours, but not currently attributed. The helmet is marked with an M at the point of the brim on the outside and a broad V on the inside of the brim. The breastplate is certainly of English manufacture. The back is associated and is probably English. The marks on the helmet resemble the marks used by the London Armourer"s company, but the one piece form is more typical of the continent and is possibly of German manufacture. Shoulder plates and waist belt replaced. Together with a modern copy of a buff coat and an inferior modern elbow gauntlet. For more information on armours and marks of the London Armourers see The London Armourers of the 17th Century"" by Thom Richardson."" Not for sale.