Brigandines were covered with velvet, wool, or leather with the rivet heads going through the covering. It seems that wool or especially velvet would wear out rather quickly. I don't see how the cover could be replaced without disassembling the whole thing. Is there any evidence for how it was done?

Rick

I've been fighting in a brig for two seasons and witnessed another one in use for about 4 seasons and I must say they take wear rather well. Off course you get battlescars on it, but with care and repairs they will last quite long.

There's no other way of replacing the velvet covering without disassembly of the entire brigandine.