[Bennison N]

Hi all!

Once again I wish to glean information from those more knowledgeable than I. In particular, I'd like to know what a early Qing Dynasty cavalryman or even heavy infantry would wear as hand and forearm protection. I'm going to have replicas made to fight full-contact with, but it seems difficult to find examples of what they used. Anybody got a picture? I really need early Qing or late late Ming, as the 17th is the cutoff point for historicity.

Can anybody help me out? Of course I'll show you when the kit is done and dented.

Thanks in advance.

[Shahril Dzulkifli]

I don't have. Anybody?

[Timo Nieminen]

Usually just long armoured sleeves. These often provide hand protection by extending as far as the knuckles. Either brigandine sleeves, like this armour:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Su_Yuanchun.jpg
(This armour is late, but IIRC, sleeves like this are already seen in some Ming armours.)
Often, the sleeves have external plates, like most of these armours:
http://steelandcotton.tumblr.com/post/9243556...united-the
http://chinese-armour.freewebspace.com/custom.html
(and another photo of Nurhaci's amour attached).

Thumb and fingers are left free for archery. Not so good for BOTN and similar. Perhaps a good option is to wear regular gauntlets with a low-profile cuff (or no cuff?), and cover the back of the hand with the sleeve. If you want more forearm protection, wear a rigid plate under the sleeve.

[Bennison N]

Thanks you guys. Cheers Timo. Really appreciate it.

Yeah, the brig-sleeves were all I found too. I might just have some brig mittens made in the same fabric as the rest of it then.

I haven't ordered it yet, so it may be a while coming, but I'll kit up and take some pictures for you guys when I'm done.