The Armour Archive

So I found these images online and am absolutely in love with the piece and want to get into making one of my own. Only problem is I'm not even sure what it's called! I've seen it referred to as "mirror plate" but I know that the mirror plate is the circular chest pieces and they call many types mirror plate. I also know it's russ/mongolian in nature but not sure where specifically and when? I'm portraying a golden horde mongol in the 14th century, and thinking it may be a little later period then that, possibly even only decorative or ceremonial, if there is that much history behind it at all.

My second problem is I'm not exactly sure how it's staying together. Are there holes that are cover by the plates/leather edge with which to stitch the plates to the leather backing? There are a couple rivets here in there, right above the mirror plate, and in the mirror plate itself, but not enough for that to be how it's assembled I don't think. I'm unsure, any help would be very much appreciated!

That Kind of armour is called a Zertsalo, googling it should bring up more images of similar pieces. I think that one is in the kremlin armoury, though i could be wrong.
I'll have to do some digging around, but I'm pretty sure i have internal pictures of one on my computer at home. It's all held together by leather straps on the inside. I think they are a 15th century armour, but again, I could also be wrong on that.

Anyways, I'll dig through my home computer tonight and see if i can come up with anything helpful for you

Kris

Search also "Char-Aina," which term I think is Persian. It's a typical Steppes/Turkic kind of gear.

Talieson,

The Kremlin armory catalog that I have describes this armor as....

Splint-armor
Russian. Armoury Workshop, 1616
By Dmitry Konovalov and Andrei Teirman
Plates of Damascus steel; silver
damascening, gilding, silvering,
burnishing; etching, engraving
Inv. No. OP-124

Mac

Awesome on all accounts, thank you very much for the response on all accounts! Ill check for more pictures, hopefully some of the inside aswell, but would love any you may have. The name is extremely helpful!

Mac, thank you for that description, makes me think I have half an idea of what im talking about

TaliesonTegwas wrote: Mac, thank you for that description, makes me think I have half an idea of what im talking about

You are welcome, Talieson. Nota bene the 1616 date, though. I don't know how far back these things go.

Mac

Right, its going to be a bit anachronistic of me, but whats a few centuries between friends?

I've also seen it called Turkish/Russian krug armour. Sometimes derogatorily Russian/Turkish "potlid armour". Char-aina or four mirrors armour usually has square plates as opposed to round.

Fearghus Macildubh wrote:I've also seen it called Turkish/Russian krug armour. Sometimes derogatorily Russian/Turkish "potlid armour". Char-aina or four mirrors armour usually has square plates as opposed to round.

Round or octagonal plates are also VERY common, depending on local fashions.

There are a few in the Met also.

[url]ttp://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-th ... &noqs=true[/url]

I was under the same impression that Char-ania is 4 solid plates, where as I'm more interested in this particular style of scale-esq work.

So does anyone have any input on how exactly it's held together?

http://web.archive.org/web/200901010546 ... page5.html Hopefully Norman won't mind me linking to his old site, but he has a really good reconstruction as well as information on the link.

I spoke with a couple of people about the Zertsalo design you posted back when I was aiming for a late period Russian kit, and the way it was described to me is an inverted coat of plates in that the fabric is on the inside rather than external. Basically you have a fabric or leather backing to which the plates are riveted. As armourkris said there are just as likely to be internal leather straps as well that the plates are riveted to, and I believe that's how Norman did his. The rivets on his reconstruction seem to indicate it anyway. There are also several structural rivets on the first image you presented, mainly and the lower and upper edges of the plates. Hard to see but there are there and plenty to hold to internal leathers.

Another good link on Russian armor of the period, including a touch of information on the zertsalo:
http://www.strangelove.net/~kieser/Russ ... karmor.pdf

Oh wow awesome link thanks for that!

And i was thinking that had to be how it was done, though I assumed it was sewn together, though I suppose either way would work. Still hard for me to really visualize but definitely closer. Wish I could just touch one!