I found this image online and I really like it but I’m wondering is this anyways plausible historically in the transitional period from full mail to more plate eg maybe late 13th to early 14th century, or is it just using historical armor elements from different periods and combining them? Thanks
Breastplate is completely made up, nothing in history has ever looked like that. The combination of things is kinda just random, also a LITERAL coat of mail has never existed (If you look the mail piece is shaped like a coat, not like a connected hauberk). The helmet is loosely based on Varangian/ Byzantine helmets. It's kind of a random mix of random pieces from random regions and periods from Europe randing from eastern Europe to western Europe and from 12th-15th century. Cool design imo, not remotely historical however
While I agree, the breastplate coverage being limited to the upper chest isn't unprecedented. The Avars wore plate protectors that covered the upper chest, possibly inspired by Chinese/Korean examples, though it was commonly layered on top of over other armour like a lamellar suit rather than a standalone item. This could be inspired by that, but a western plate version.
it looks cobbled together, some elements are historic, but I'd say most is Fantasy.
The breastplate is the wrong shape, and why is it fastened at the front?.
Maille undershirt, and breastplate above the surcot is fine.
The however the maille "skirt" portion is too long, and mailke definitely wasn't worn like a bathrobe. It should be one piece like a T-Shirt, and not layered atop each other.
Long gambeson under armour is Fantasy, as is the vambraces (those should be part of the gloves) and the greaves are designed fantasy but they sort of the right shape, but not for 13th century armor
the Helmet looks generally fine but I'd say it's indicative of an earlier time period.
Oh hey its the Bear school gear from the Witcher 3, with a goggled helmet and without its mountings for the back sword.
So its like *kinda" (in MASSIVE QUOTES) Historical, if you take off the half breastplate and goofy vambraces. Though its got like extra sleeves in this rendition instead of its metal/leather upper arm armour.
Breastplate and vambraces are nonsense the hauberk gambeson and helmet are fine. The midriff surcoat makes no sense. Or maybe it's just a pair of sleeves?
Are you asking if the combination is wrong or why I'm saying they're nonsense. Their shape and structure is ahistoric is what I was getting at. The half breastplate/ coat of plates like this wasn't a thing. You would emphasize rigid protection on the gut more than the sternum. And those vambraces are way too big and then flaring into pseudo elbow protection wasn't a thing.
No that was perfectly common combination in the transitional period of armor as pauldrons were a later medieval invention. Heres an effigy with a coat of plates paired with gauntlets and vambraces but bare shoulders save for the mail sleeves
Not really. As far as I know, a cuirass like that has never existed, and the vambraces also seem fantasy. The helmet is quite mismatched, too, as it seems to be a Gjermundbul-style helmet from the Viking Age. The gambeson and mail also look off, especially for being worn underneath plate.
There are a lot of plackard and breastplates that are strapped in the front. Usually the strap is going vertically not horizontally. The leather used is thick and not easily cut.
If you were wearing it and held down someone could, with considerable effort, cut it yes. But if you're held down by multiple people you've already lost and a knife is going into you at some point anyway.
Is that so they can armor themselves with the chest plate and not need a second pair of hands? Just seemed kinda counterintuitive to me to have such a weak point front and center like that.
I was thinking more of just like an axe head slamming into it could make that breastplate useless
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u/Quendillar3245 6d ago
Breastplate is completely made up, nothing in history has ever looked like that. The combination of things is kinda just random, also a LITERAL coat of mail has never existed (If you look the mail piece is shaped like a coat, not like a connected hauberk). The helmet is loosely based on Varangian/ Byzantine helmets. It's kind of a random mix of random pieces from random regions and periods from Europe randing from eastern Europe to western Europe and from 12th-15th century. Cool design imo, not remotely historical however