The Armour Archive

OK. I have an armor idea that I'm going to try and make work, and was wondering if there is ANY historical basis to it. I thought I was on to something with the baidana, but it's not looking like it.

I'm going to make maille arm and shoulder protection without body protection. A bolero of chain if you will.

Here's a woman's jacket to somewhat ilistrate what I am talking about
[img]http://www.eveactivewear.co.uk/uploaded/products/65.jpg[/img]
Is there anything even remotly resembling this in history? I assume if there is, it was worn along with other armour even though I plan on wearing it solo.

Yes -
unfortunately I am having trouble remembering specifics and my books are still on the bottom of all the stuff that needs unpacking.
Somewhere on the Eurasian Steppes between 6 and 10 century used by heavy cavalry as a complement to lamellar.

And the Japanese had these - but theirs are different enough that I'm not sure they count.

Norman wrote:Yes -

Somewhere on the Eurasian Steppes between 6 and 10 century

That's even better!

I look forward to a little more info when you unpack, or someone else chimes in.

Thank you!!!

Mac and chef recently linked to a half-sleeve version to be worn under plate armor.

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... p?t=102803

Any idea what the steppe people called this armor?
I'm having no luck figuring it out.

I'm interested in something like this in welded titanium for my kit.

If it didn't have arms it would be a makiwara from a Japanese harness.

I thought a makiwara was a sort of pell...?

Anyway, the Norse also had brynjas that only covered the rib cage, so not much longer than that. ( Probably continuous all around the upper body, though, not like a jacket. )

I know the term brynja, but I thought it just referred to maille. Do you have any sources to show it is a particular style?

Yes, brynja seems to be a general term. I recall reading of this particular style in one or another of the sagas; can't recall which, sorry...

A byrnie (aka brynja) is a short maille shirt, but it doesn't cover just the ribcages, it covers to at least as low as below the crotch. Similar length to what in later years would be called a haubergeon, varied between crotch and knee length with generally elbow-length sleeves

I don't recall ever reading about one that ended at mid-chest level, except as a type of voiders or similar intended to be worn under a cuirasse, as in the picture posted by RoaK.

Clearly not intended to be all the armour worn . . . it would certainly appear that the guy in the picture just took off his breastplate after being injured.

The work is already done, someone is selling one here:

http://livinghistory.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=18783