Breastplate and armour
- Available
- Available
Chest plates and armour are among the most distinctive elements of historical protective gear – ranging from simple 13th-century steel plates to full Renaissance plate armour. Anyone looking to kit themselves out for re-enactment, exhibition combat or LARP will find 137 items here: from a simple entry-level breastplate for around 100 euros to a meticulously detailed 15th-century Milanese armour.
What is armour – and how does it differ from a breastplate?
The terms are often confused in everyday language – yet in historical and modern usage, they refer to quite different things. Armour was originally the collective term for a knight’s entire equipment, i.e. armour, weapons and accessories combined. Today, the term is usually defined more narrowly and refers to a combined breastplate and backplate, often supplemented by leg guards.
The breastplate (also known as a cuirass) is the single front plate that protects the chest and abdomen. It is usually held in place by a back strap or a separate back plate. The term cuirass (from the French cuirasse) refers, in the strictest sense, to the combination of breastplate and back plate – in German, it is frequently used synonymously with armour.
The brigantine forms a category of its own: here, small metal plates are riveted between two layers of leather or fabric, visible through the characteristic rivet heads. It was widespread from the High Middle Ages through to the 15th century and offers high flexibility combined with good protection. A fourth variant is lamellar or scale armour, in which overlapping plates of steel, brass or leather are mounted on a supporting structure – a type attested among the Vikings as well as in Byzantine and Oriental cultures.
Historical development: From chainmail to plate armour
Early Middle Ages
Scale armour and lamellar armour dominate upper-body protection. Finds such as the Birka-type lamellar armour from Swedish graves attest to highly developed armouring techniques. The scales are made of steel or bronze, mounted on leather or textile backing. Chainmail and scale armour often complement each other.
High Middle Ages
Chainmail remains the dominant form of armour. The first individual plate elements – such as steel knee guards or reinforced breastplates made of hardened leather – are worn over the chainmail. During the Crusades, combined forms of chainmail and plate elements emerge.
Early Late Middle Ages
The first complete steel breastplates become widespread. The so-called ‘coat of plates’, an early form of the brigandine, is widely used. The Churburg armour in South Tyrol is among the best-preserved examples of this transitional period – a characteristic feature is the still undivided, single-piece breastplate.
Gothic plate armour
Gothic armour reaches its most elegant form: a slender silhouette, pronounced ridges serving as reinforcing ribs, and curved breast and back plates. Nuremberg and Augsburg become leading centres for armour production. Leg guards and shoulder plates complete the armour to form a full set.
Milanese and Maximilian armour
Milan establishes itself as the centre of the finest plate armour craftsmanship. Milanese armour combines rounded forms with high protective effectiveness. Maximilian armour, with its characteristic fluting (ribbed grooves), marks the pinnacle of plate armour craftsmanship. From the mid-16th century onwards, firearms gradually supplant heavy plate armour.
Types at a glance: breastplate, armour, brigandine and scale armour
Simple steel breastplate
One-piece breastplate made from 1.6 mm steel with back straps for ample arm freedom. Versions suitable for stage combat are clearly marked. Ideal for first-time reenactments and stage combat events.
Gothic armour
Chest and back plates in the Gothic style of the 15th century, some combined with leg pockets. Characteristic curved silhouette, enhanced attention to detail – well-suited for historical re-enactments and ambitious LARP.
Brigantine
Steel plates riveted beneath a leather surface, visible brass rivets. High mobility, versatile – from High Medieval reenactment to Low-Fantasy LARP characters.
Birka-style lamellar and scale armour
Handcrafted lamellar armour based on archaeological finds. Steel scales on a leather framework, available galvanised or ungalvanised. Suitable for early medieval Viking clothing and re-enactment portrayals.
Milanese armour
15th-century style breast, back and shoulder plates, handcrafted from 1.2 mm steel sheet. Highest level of detail for ambitious re-enactors and museum projects.
Spanish / decorative breastplate
Polished breastplates with engraving and ornamentation, partly made from stainless steel or gold-plated metal. For historical costumes, theatre projects and decorative purposes – not approved for exhibition combat.
For what purpose – re-enactment, exhibition combat or LARP?
Choosing the right breastplate depends heavily on what you need it for. The requirements vary considerably:
- Period-accurate silhouette and material thickness are crucial
- Accurate historical models (Churburg, Milan, Birka)
- Combination with a suitable gambeson as padding
- Surface finish (polished vs. raw) depending on the portrayal
- Supplemented by shoulder plates, arm guards and leg guards
- Minimum requirement: 1.6 mm steel (suitable for exhibition combat)
- No sharp edges, burrs filed down
- Good shoulder and arm mobility for combat techniques
- Suitability for exhibition combat is explicitly stated in the product descriptions
- Can be worn with chainmail under the armour
- Lighter steels (1.0–1.2 mm) and leather permitted
- Comfort during long events is crucial
- Brigandines and leather armour score points for flexibility
- Fantasy elements and shapes possible
- Can be combined with LARP clothing and accessories
- Polished pieces with engraving and ornamentation
- Thinner material thickness (1.0–1.2 mm) acceptable
- No combat suitability required
- Spanish breastplates with fleur-de-lis or engravings are particularly decorative
Material and thickness: What do gauge specifications and steel grades mean?
Anyone comparing breastplates will inevitably come across gauge specifications and material designations. Here is an overview of the most important specifications:
| Material / Thickness | Suitability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20 gauge (approx. 0.9 mm) steel | Decoration | Lightweight, polishable, not approved for exhibition fencing; suitable for costumes and theatre |
| 18 gauge (approx. 1.2 mm) steel | LARP | Standard for LARP and historical re-enactments without full contact; good value for money |
| 16 gauge (approx. 1.6 mm) steel | Stage combat | Minimum requirement for exhibition combat; withstands hits without deformation; recommended for tournaments |
| 14 gauge (approx. 2.0 mm) steel | Full contact | Maximum protection; heavier but more resistant to deformation; for intensive exhibition combat |
| Carbon steel | Historical | Harder than standard structural steel; develops a patina; better suited to historically accurate re-enactments |
| Vegetable-tanned cowhide | LARP | Lighter and more flexible than steel; good for brigandines and leather armour; malleable when wet |
| Brass scales | LARP / Decoration | Scale armour with a warm golden hue; decorative and functional; lighter than steel |
Polished surfaces exude the classic knightly look, but require regular maintenance. Unfinished or burnished steel surfaces are easier to maintain and often look more historically authentic in re-enactments.
Fit and combination: How the breastplate becomes part of a complete suit of armour
European breastplate with back plate made from 1.6 mm steel – suitable for stage combat, with adjustable straps. Add a gambeson as padding and a simple helmet: a solid basic kit for your first stage combat experiences. Measure your chest circumference at the widest point; most breastplates fit chest circumferences of up to 110–125 cm.
Gothic armour with leather leg pockets or brigandine – can be combined with shoulder plates and arm guards. Armour sets with integrated leg pockets save on coordination and ensure a harmonious overall look. Shoulder straps allow for greater arm freedom than back straps alone.
Milanese or Italian plate armour with breast, back and shoulder plates – handcrafted according to historical models. Complete the set with leg guards, plate gauntlets and a matching late medieval helmet. Measure your height and chest circumference before purchasing – for sets, the measurements given in the product descriptions are decisive.
Care and storage of steel and leather armour
After each use, you should wipe the steel parts with a dry cloth to remove sweat and moisture. Then lightly oil them – Ballistol or linseed oil have proven effective. For initial rust spots, a fine steel wool pad (000 or 0000) works well, using it in the direction of the polish lines. For polished pieces, a polishing paste and a microfibre cloth are recommended to maintain the shine. Burnished or untreated surfaces develop a natural patina over time – this is desirable for historical re-enactments and provides additional protection for the steel.
Leather armour and brigandines require regular application of leather grease or beeswax to keep the material supple and prevent it from cracking. Never store wet – leather that is packed away whilst damp will go mouldy or become misshapen. After rain or heavy sweating, allow the leather to air-dry before storing it. For detailed care instructions on leather, you will also find suitable leather dyes and leather greases in our range.
Store armour parts hanging or on a bust stand – never folded or compressed. Metal and leather should be kept in a dry, cool place; avoid direct sunlight. Combined steel-leather constructions such as the Birka-style lamellar armour are best stored disassembled to prevent pressure marks and deformation of the leather straps.
Bluing is a chemical treatment that creates a black or dark brown oxide layer on the steel surface. It protects against rust and gives the piece a sombre, historical appearance. Patinas develop partly naturally through use, but can also be created specifically using patina agents. For polished decorative breastplates, a clear protective layer of wax or a special metal care product is recommended instead.
Whether you’re looking for your first breastplate for a LARP event or building a historically accurate armour reconstruction for re-enactment – browse through our range and combine breastplates, shoulder plates, arm guards and leg guards to create a full suit of armour, or give us a call for advice.
Frequently asked questions
As a general guideline, 1.6 mm steel (16 gauge) is considered the minimum requirement for stage combat. Thinner versions (1.0–1.2 mm / 18–20 gauge) are suitable for non-full-contact LARP, decorative purposes or historical re-enactments without combat contact. Products suitable for stage combat are indicated as such in our product descriptions.
A breastplate refers to the single front plate that protects the chest and abdomen. A cuirass is the term for the combination of a breastplate and backplate. Historically, ‘armour’ was the term for a knight’s entire armour set; today it is mostly used synonymously with a more complete chest-and-back set, often supplemented by shoulder plates and leg guards.
Yes – a gambeson or armour tunic as a padded underlay is essential. It absorbs the impact of blows, protects against chafing and prevents metal edges from damaging clothing or digging into the skin. It also significantly improves the fit of the breastplate, as the padded underlay stabilises the armour.
The key measurement is the chest circumference at the widest point of the upper body, measured at nipple level. Height is also relevant, as the length of the breastplate must fit. Most models in our range cover chest circumferences of up to 110–125 cm. For sets, specific measurements are provided in the product descriptions.
A brigandine is not a single-piece plate, but a flexible armour construction: small metal plates are riveted between two layers of leather or fabric, with the characteristic rivet heads visible from the outside. It was widely used in the High and Late Middle Ages and offers greater mobility than a rigid breastplate, making it particularly suitable for LARP and re-enactments of the 13th–15th centuries.