When I purchased this, it was very badly stabilized. All of the lower plates were riveted solid using crude nails. Even in this state it shows a lot. The form of the upper plates is very asymmetric. It is rounded over the point of the shoulder, dished at the back, and angled forward and curved under in the front. All of this is important to fit the body, but not necessarily obvious from pictures.
Italian Pauldron mid to late 16th cent
Large main plate overlapping those above and below. 2 plates above, 4 below. Main edges with inward-turned rolls and recessed borders. For use with a floating elbow or with elbow gauntlets. Brass-capped rivets. Leathers and some rivets replaced. Top plate cracked at the center with a modern riveted patch.Additional patches stabilizing the rear connection between the main plate and the first upper plate. Where necessary for replair some original capped rivets have been removed (and preserved separately) and replaced by solid iron rivets. Painted on the interior with "H.10".
Thickness varies between .022 and .058 in., mostly .035-.040 in. There seems to be very little pattern to the thickness variation. There has certainly been some loss due to oxidation.
Measurements: height at the crease measured over the outside 12 1/2 in. length of the top of the main plate 17 3/4 in. (9 behind the crease, 8 3/4 in front).
Weight: 1 pound 13.6 ounces (840 g). [inv. num. A-35]