The Armour Archive

Did Seljuks, Ottomans, Moors and the like ever wear Gambesons or something like?

Yes.

Any culture that uses mail is going to, as a matter of course.

Was there any major difference in style or design?

Since the vestimentary systems of levantine arabic, turkic and north african cultures are different, those arming garments are going to follow those of the relevant culture.

Do you have any examples or illustrations of eastern style ones? I can't find anything but Russian ones

"Seljuk, Ottoman, and Moor" is sort of a huge category there (one of which isn't by ANY definition eastern). Can you be more specific? I can show you a sculpture showing one in Transylvania, but that's not hitting your three ethnic groups there.

Also note that the khazaghand is mail and gambeson built integrally. Works like a charm, I'm seriously inclined to remake mine.

Really any of the three are of interest, but Ottoman especially so. Khazagand is interesting, hadn't seen that before.

I have a bunch of questions going to the Askeri museum in Turkey via a Turkish friend, and questions about arming garments are included in that. As soon as I hear anything back, I'll share

Sasha_Khan wrote:I have a bunch of questions going to the Askeri museum in Turkey via a Turkish friend, and questions about arming garments are included in that. As soon as I hear anything back, I'll share

Ooooohhhh......you must share when you get answers back.


My Gambeson/Padding is sleeveless and has ties on the front with a double layer of padding over the shoulders.



Works well for me, and does a great job when I'm wearing my maille.

From what I have found on the "moors" Almoravids is they wore a gambison type shirt/jacket. But they did it differently.

They put a light shirt under the mail, then put the gambison on over the mail, then a light jacket. Then they wore a light jacket or shirt over that. But I cant confirm the last layer, it seems that was only worn in winter or dusty desert condition.

Here are some folks on FaceCrack doing some really impressive Islamic and Eastern arms & armor research (check the photo albums):

Saray al Mamluk

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saray-al ... 8824675049

Sasha Khan Thread Necromancy!!

Did you ever hear back on this? I got asked the other day about the geographical extent to which it was used, and couldn't provide a good answer.