[Antonio Ganarini]

Hi to all!
Last weekend I visited a castle in Trentino named Castel Beseno (http://www.buonconsiglio.it/index.php/en/Castel-Beseno/monumento/Percorso-di-visita/Visita-a-Castel-Beseno/La-fortezza for a fast overview), and in the little armoury I saw an interesting sword blade with two fullers running for the entire blade length (the quality of the photo attached isn't excellent, but I did my best!). It was dated about XV century, probably made in Passau.
I was seeking to know what type of blade is it... Someone has some ideas?

Now, the question about pauldrons: is there historical evidence of pauldrons attached directly to chainmail, or is it a plate armour only feature?

Thank you very much!
(I beg your pardon for my bad English!)

[Jojo Zerach]

I don't think 16th century style pauldrons would have ever been attached to mail.
The closest thing I'm aware of is during the early 14th century, round discs were often attached to the shoulder of a mail haubergeon.
http://effigiesandbrasses.com/monuments/unkno...506/large/
Articulated spaulders start to appear in the 1330's-1340's, and they would have been pointed to or through a haubegeon, but they were always attached to a rerebrace and arm harness. (not worn alone.)

[Antonio Ganarini]

Thank you Jojo!
I think that's evident I'm not an expert, isn't it?
So, trying to join articulated pauldrons to an haubergeon through a pair of strings of leather and buckles, is not a good idea at all!

[Aleksei Sosnovski]

Pointing pauldrons to the maille makes little sense. They should rather be pointed to whatever garment you wear under the maille. If you pass the points through the maille they will additionally prevent maille from shifting. I think some people wrote on this forum that they do this and it works perfectly.

Though I am absolutely sure that somebody at some point tried to attach his pauldrons to his maille. And if it worked for him he would continue doing so. But if pointing pauldrons to a gambeson through the maille worked better he would prefer the latter solution.

[Ed Toton]

Smaller spaulders were often pointed to mail in the 14th century, if I'm correct. Later periods with more complete plate armor would have the pauldrons usually pointed to the arming garment rather than mail.

[William P]

this isnt what your talking about but a theoretical 'alternative' would be sleeves of plate maile where the pauldrones are integrated into the maile, effectively replacing the maile in the hauberk around the shoulders with articulated plates,

i have no idea how well this might work, im merely fantasizing.

although i realise its not the quesion you were asking.

as far as i know, pauldrones attatched directly to the arm defences to, by the 15th century form a continuous piece of armour.

[Jojo Zerach]

[Antonio Ganarini]