Can you help me identify this armour? -- myArmoury.com

R. Machado

Hello

I got this armour, but i dont know anything about that.
Can anyone help me identify this?
Whats the era and the country where this armour belong?
Is this real or a replica?

It's complete only missing the helmet (don't know if it should have one or not).

Regards

Shane Dopson · Posted: Wed 29 Dec, 2010 3:32 pm Post subject:

Looks like a replica to me; perhaps a decorative set, something to stand in the corner or at the top of the stairs to look nice. If that is all you wanted it for - great!

Where and how did you get it?

James Arlen Gillaspie · Industry Professional

It looks a lot to me like parts of a Victorian suit I worked on years ago, a suit which was made in some numbers out of old cuirassier helmets and cuirasses (19th c.?) like the modern queen of England's household guard but I do not know which country. This is the first one I've seen that has been etched, which makes it a more expensive model.

R. Machado · Posted: Thu 30 Dec, 2010 9:11 am Post subject:

theres any detail that helps to identify? As i told i have every thing except the helmet.

Nick Esposito · Posted: Thu 30 Dec, 2010 7:09 pm Post subject:

I suppose an easy way to tell, is whether or not it has straps for wearing, or at least holes where the straps used to be. if it does than it is meant to be worn, if it does not, it is a "display Piece". Also, the thickness of the metal could indicate whether or not it is "real Armor".

Take it to an art specialist or an antique appraiser. They may be able to shed some light on its origin.

If you wouldn't mind posting more photos it might help in the process.

R. Machado · Posted: Mon 03 Jan, 2011 7:47 am Post subject:

Here is a few more pictures

Torsten F.H. Wilke · Posted: Mon 03 Jan, 2011 9:35 am Post subject:

My guess is that it is a decent example of theatrical/display armour of fairly recent European manufacture, 30-40 yrs old.

The features and design really wouldn't qualify as historically accurate, and it most likely would not be functionally wearable either. But, it would still make for a nice conversation piece if displayed in your home...

James Arlen Gillaspie · Industry Professional

These are much older than that, c. 1900. Attached is one that Thomas del Mar sold recently, for 2700 pounds. It has a MUCH nicer helm than usual, though!

Torsten F.H. Wilke · Posted: Mon 03 Jan, 2011 12:42 pm Post subject:

Very nice, James! Probably one of the best looking 100 year old display armours I have seen.
They do seem to have taken considerably more effort than usual to make that one...

James Anderson III · Posted: Mon 03 Jan, 2011 1:13 pm Post subject:

The symmetric rivits towards the center crease in this picture (http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/4088/291220103172.jpg) are interesting. At first I thought lance rest, until I noticed the one on the other side.

It looks theatrical - when you attach the shoulder piece to the arms (you will see the keyhole slot and key), it looks like it doesn't turn. An authentic, usable armor would pivot on the "turner", where the arm can turn side to side over the bicep.

James Arlen Gillaspie · Industry Professional

Go do an image search for the Queen's Household Guard. You will see that the rivets correspond to where the straps fasten. The usual helm is made from a helmet similar to those, which makes it look pretty wonky.