Backplate (body armour): HEN.M.15C-1933

Maker(s)

Unknown

Entities

• Backplate (body armour)

Categories

• Armour

Description

Backplate, for use by a cuirassier. The backplate is formed in one piece with a narrow waist-flange. The arm-openings and the high narrow neck-openings are bordered by lining-rivets. A modern buff leather shoulder-strap is riveted at the top of each shoulder. A modern shoulder strap is also incorrectly riveted at each side of the neck-opening. A pierced stud, possibly for the attachment of a sword belt is riveted at the left side of the backplate. A modern buff leather strap, forming a waist-belt, is riveted at each side of the waist. The left strap terminates in a single-ended, tongued iron buckle. The backplate is pierced just to the inside of the left shoulder with a large, modern hole. Its waist-flange is pierced midway along each side with a modern hole for the attachment of a skirt. The backplate has plain inward turns at its main edges and is decorated with five vertical, slightly diverging bands formed of pairs of incised lines. It is of late 17th century date and was originally intended for use by the harquebusier. Part of the composite three-quarter armour HEN.M.15A-F-1933.

Notes

History note: Mr James Stewart Henderson of 'Abbotsford', Downs Road, St Helen's Park, Hastings, Sussex.

Legal notes

J.S. Henderson Bequest

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1933-03-16) by Henderson, James Stewart

Dating

17th Century, Late
Circa 1670 CE - 1700 CE

Note

Now is a russet colour overall, but was originally bright or in parts, perhaps blued