Higgins composite suit

[Dougal Forester]

Is there somewhere a list of what pieces are which in this composite set? Its a Higgins piece.

[chef de chambre]

Have you checked their online catalog? WPI was putting one together for years, I am pretty sure they have something online now...

That suit ranges in date from 1440 - 1490 Some of it is Northern Italian (I *think* several known Italian armourers marks are on elements of it), along with at least one piece thought to be low countries, and a South German sallet - the cannons of the vambrace are I think the newest element on them, essentially ending in an attatched gauntlet. The suit is, as I recollect a composite of @80% authentic pieces, with one or two pieces that have modern elements replacing missing bits on that piece, made to match the opposite authentic bit.

[Dougal Forester]

Fom the Higgins catalogue:

Extensively restored and composite. The authentic elements are by Giovanni da Garavalle (rec. 1438-40; lower backplate), Giovanni dei Barini (called Negroli; d. before 1505; breastplate) and an unknown Flemish master. Preliminary findings by Dr. Alan Williams (Cambridge University, UK) of metallurgy of Higgins Armory Museum items Based on tests conducted in the Fall of 1998, with comments provided on 23 February 1999 Backplate and Breastplate, 1440-1505 Steels (air-cooled) and irons


Any place else I could look? I seriously doubt that the only authentic pieces are the lower half of the backplate, and the breastplate.



One other thing i saw the other day....not related to this, but was wondering if anyone had heard of this.

http://www.lapada-object-of-the-year.co ... gews/78921

[chef de chambre]

I'll ask when I am there next, assuming Dr. Forgeng is around. I believe most of the arms are original, with some replacement lames, and one of the legs, at least. The upper backplate and lames are I think restorations.

[Dougal Forester]

Thank you chef, that would be much appreciated. I have an articulated sallet on order, and I'm trying to find a "harness" I like to loosely base a kit upon. It won't be living history quality, as I will be doing SCA stuff in it, but I would like it to be one of those "Wow, look at that harness!" kind of things. Hopefully this will make others, as it did me, fall in love with armour.

Mike

[Tom B.]

Wow, those couters look quite a bit like ones on display in Glatt castle in Germany.

Tom