The Armour Archive

For my Landsknecht kit I've been wanting the option to be able to wear (not for SCA at this point) my cuirass without the backplate. I've read that this was done in period, and I'm sure I've seen it in art, but my computer with my referance imagery is currently down and most of my books are still packed up in boxes...

I remember the straps crossing across the back, but how do they go about the waist? Is there a strap around the waist as well? Or just a couple straps riveted on each side at waist level that cross on the back and buckle to the breast at opposite shoulders? Or something else?

I just did a sash thing for the waist.
Works great, and depending how involved you get with the sash, it can be some really nice bling.

I've also forgotten a sash a time or two, and just used rope, which I'm sure was used by some poor Landsknecht soldier out of necessity more than once!

I'm pretty sure that with the crossed straps you don't need anything more at the waist. I also believe that I've seen illustrations showing just the crossed straps from period sources.

Yes, Gavin, you can do that, but I've found that the waist belt/sash helps keep it more snug to the body and distributes the weight better, since it's then not all hanging off of the shoulder straps.

an "X" on the back and then a strap around the waist, either circling around and buckling in the front, or terminating at the fauld line on each side of the breastplate.

Kilkenny wrote:I'm pretty sure that with the crossed straps you don't need anything more at the waist. I also believe that I've seen illustrations showing just the crossed straps from period sources.

The waist strap keeps the breastplate from swinging forward when you bend over.

InsaneIrish wrote:

Kilkenny wrote:I'm pretty sure that with the crossed straps you don't need anything more at the waist. I also believe that I've seen illustrations showing just the crossed straps from period sources.

The waist strap keeps the breastplate from swinging forward when you bend over.

I agree, Irish is NOT insane,, just a bit eccentric.

Kilkenny wrote:I'm pretty sure that with the crossed straps you don't need anything more at the waist. I also believe that I've seen illustrations showing just the crossed straps from period sources.

Well, I have one (dress, not combat) and the waist strap (on mine it basically turns the back "X" into a Y harness) is definately necessary, if you do anything other than stand bolt upright at all times.

Waist strap is a nice thing to have.

In my (mostly lack of) fighting I have always worn a breastplate without a real backplate. Cross straps at the top and a waist belt always works very nicely.

I guess I have had 3 different ones done this way, and others made for other people that worked the same way.

Wade

Otto von Teich wrote:

InsaneIrish wrote:

Kilkenny wrote:I'm pretty sure that with the crossed straps you don't need anything more at the waist. I also believe that I've seen illustrations showing just the crossed straps from period sources.

The waist strap keeps the breastplate from swinging forward when you bend over.

I agree, Irish is NOT insane,, just a bit eccentric.

I disagree. Just because someone is insane, doesn't mean they're stupid.

I've been wearing my placard like that, just because it seemed like the best way.

It ain't broke, don't fix it.

Thanks for the replies, I have some ideas now that I'm looking forward trying out when I get home tonight. I'm going to try stuff first with just some rope before cutting into my leather.

I had forgotten about that Gerry Embleton setup. I find that kind of work to be very inspiring - one of my two sorts of dream jobs is designing and setting up stuff like that.