Hi guys, there's a question I wonder and have never see discussed before( forgive me if I'm wrong and please give me the link of the related topic): How plate armour be repaired? they are combat tools and must be exposed to continuous strike and damage ,and iron or steel plate 1-2mm thick is not immune to such damage completely, even the man in the armour were saved from being hurt, there must be dent , hole on it ,and must be repaired.

In the case of mail \lamellar\coat of plates the solution is relatively easy, just replace the damaged ring or small plates, but in plate armour, some parts are large and expersive to be replaced altogether, especially the breastplate ,which are most possible to be striked , won't that be a serious disadvantage compare to mail, lamellar or brigandine in cost, when common soldiers rely goverment to provide their armour? If not replaced completely, are technics such as patching used?

Any opinion on the question is OK , but more historical evidences are most welcomed.

They had a type of "spackle", made from casein glue and a few other ingredients, that was used to patch holes in metal plate.

They also used metal patches and cover plates. We had some breastplates that had been shot through from the 17th century and they simply had a patch put in from the back, hammered and riveted in. Once polished it was not even something you could see.

RPM

Copper brazed repairs (often with a backing plate, the whole shebang hot riveted in while the copper was molten) were very common. It makes for an extremely strong repair, though it would require retempering good steel armour, unless it's Italian (pearlitic microstructure). Not a big deal, since brazing heat is right for hardening anyway!

Greetings!
This question always kept me thinking, and one day in the Arsenal of Graz, I saw the answer! (Please note the picture!) Sorry for the poor quality of the photo, it was made in a dark room with my phone, but still, it could give you an idea! :)
John

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Repaired armour from Graz [ Download ]