I'm going to be making some body armour in a week or so... probably something similar to churburg (yes I KNOW the spelling is wrong type breastplate with the attached side plates that wrap around... but these all buckle in the back, a serious inconvenience.
I had thought, perhaps, to make a smallish backplate, attach the side plates to the back, have them wrap forward and buckle over my stomach... then the breastplate would lay over the straps holding the sides on and buckle to 4 seperate straps attached to the outside of the side-plates... 2 on each side.
Intention IS to have the side plates buckle in the front... then overlay with a breastplate (maybe 3 pc... maybe 1) and have the breastplate then buckled down with more conveniently located straps.... seems like it would have the same effect as the original, but perhaps be more convenient to put on. Still haven't come up with satisfactory hip armour to go with... but hell the what.......
Your description was plenty clear the first time, I just don't think it's simpler to make or wear that way. That is what you asked, isn't it? I think having the buckles of a separate backplate under the breastplate would be uncomfortable, and I think making a separate back and front plate is inherently less simple than a one-piece item. It's also inherently simpler to fasten two buckles than four.
Sounds to me like your idea will be harder than it's worth.
All the people I know who wear them leave the buckles in the back. Thay just make long straps so thay can losen them to get it off and tighten them when they put it on. Makes it a lot easier than using shorter straps.
Many of the ones I have seen seem to have a gap in the back right over the spine... not a good thing??...
Also, I guess it's just personal preference for me that I don't like having things buckle where I can't reach... makes me dependent on others to get dressed.
I feel the same, Otto. I also love the expression, "fine, suit yourself." I know exactly what that entails.
Although the method of strapping that I use is hardly ever historically depicted, I use it because of the ease of getting in and out of armour. My breastplate did have two straps buckling in the front, but it just didn't feel right. So I put one buckle at each side and I keep one side buckled at all times. So, I really only buckle one side to close my cuirass.
------------------ Idëval The Huntsman of I-Nossë Lúmëvanwa My mind opens wide when I roar
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