wearing breastplate without backplate?

woodwose · Post by **woodwose** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:23 am

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?

Vermin · Post by **Vermin** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:27 am

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! :lol:

Kilkenny · Post by **Kilkenny** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:45 am

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.

Vermin · Post by **Vermin** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:20 am

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.

InsaneIrish · Post by **InsaneIrish** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:27 am

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.

InsaneIrish · Post by **InsaneIrish** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:29 am

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.

Otto von Teich · Post by **Otto von Teich** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:34 am

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.

Maeryk · Post by **Maeryk** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:36 am

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.

wcallen · Post by **wcallen** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:37 am

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

Baron Alcyoneus · Post by **Baron Alcyoneus** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:26 pm

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. :twisted:

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

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

woodwose · Post by **woodwose** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:13 pm

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.