Lewis Moore Hourglass Gauntlets
Original: 14th century
Gauntlets of this style are regarded as the first fully developed form of plate hand protection. Popular in the late 14th century, they are known as "hourglass gauntlets" due to their waisted shape. Many examples of hourglass gauntlets are richly adorned with brass or latten edging decorated by stamping, filing, or carving (or combinations). Another popular decoration was to add bracelet-like decorations added to wrist of the gauntlet. While longer-cuffed gauntlets and better plate articulations would ultimately render this form obsolete, this form enjoyed widespread popularity during that "transitional" period for armour.
This pair is made of 18 gauge stainless steel with stamped brass decoration at the cuff, wrist, and along the edges of the metacarpal plate. The finger lames alternate plates of steel and brass and are riveted to strips of leather that attach them to the metacarpal plate. These strips, known as “finger leathers,” are stitched to the red leather glove from
Revival Clothing, with rivets at the fingertips for extra security. The cuff of the glove has been sewn to a strip of leather that is riveted to the cuff of the gauntlet.
See our
hands-on review for more information.
Weight of each gauntlet: 1.85 pounds
Overall length: ~10"
Cuff length: 2.5"
Metacarpal plate length: 3"
Cuff width: 5.5"
Width of metacarpal plate at the knuckles: 4.75"
Maker: Lewis Moore of
Knights Armoury, from Georgia.
This item has been retired from the collection.
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