Allen Antiques

German Black and White Cuirass - BlackAndWhiteBreast German Black and White Cuirass - A-19a-back German Black and White Cuirass - A-19-marks German Black and White Cuirass - A-19-breast-marks German Black and White Cuirass - A-19-breast-left-band German Black and White Cuirass - A-19-breast-right-band German Black and White Cuirass - A-19-breast-peascod-point German Black and White Cuirass - A-19-breast-on-suit German Black and White Cuirass - A-19-breast-on-suit-angle German Black and White Cuirass - A-19-breast-almost-profile German Black and White Cuirass - A-19-back-straight German Black and White Cuirass - A-19-back-angle

German Black and White Cuirass 1580-90

Comprising a heavy peascod breastplate with roped flanges at the neck and sliding gussets, the lower edge flanged for a skirt of 2 plates, the bottom one arched, turned and roped at the center, and matching three part backplate with separate riveted culet, the edges turned and roped, the surfaces throughout divided by bright bands and borders into blackened panels, rough from the hammer, and struck near the neck on both breast and back with the Nuremburg mark and a maker's mark of a pair of shears in an inverted shield (possibly that of Martin Schneider). The waist belt is an older modern replacement which needs to be replaced again. The shoulder straps are newer replacements. 5 of the 6 straps for the suspension of tassets remain and they are secured by 8 lobed roset washers. Working life leathers are relatively rare, these are a nice survival. The fauld lames are slightly deformed. The right gusset, breastplate and both fauld lames are marked with a chiseled 'X' assembly marks - the left gusset is different - possibly due to its having been for the left (it fits and matches the right in every respect). Identified maker's marks are relatively rare. Makers were qualified in separate armour elements, there appears to have been one who was a master in both breasts and backs in Nuremburg who used a similar mark, so the attribution is probably accurate. The form, material distribution, marks and details indicate that this is a pretty good cuirass. The rolls, roping, recessed bands and 'engraved' lines are all nice. This piece is nicer than many black and white armours. The line terminations at the points are indicative of a pretty aggressive method of manufacture.

Measurements: Breast mostly .090 inch thick tapering at the sides to app. .070.




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If you have any questions, please send them to Wade Allen

This site last updated Mon Dec 27 11:29:14 EST 2021