Shoulder plates
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
- Available
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
Shoulder plates — known as ‘spaulders’ or ‘pauldrons’ — are among the most distinctive elements of plate armour and protect the shoulder joint, upper arm and, depending on the design, parts of the neck. Whether you’re building historically accurate armour for re-enactment or exhibition combat, or looking for a distinctive LARP look: in this category you’ll find steel and leather shoulder plates for different eras, styles and budgets.
Spaulders, Pauldrons, Galerus — what do these terms mean?
Shoulder armour goes by different names depending on the era, region and language — and the differences are not merely terminological. The spaulder (from Old French espalière) refers to a segmented shoulder guard that is fastened to the body without being connected to the breastplate. It protects the shoulder and upper arm, but can be worn independently. The pauldrons, on the other hand, are a larger, more complete construction: they partially overlap with the breastplate and backplate, enclose the shoulder area more extensively, and are often part of a full suit of plate armour from the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The term ‘shoulder armour’ is often used in German-speaking countries as a generic term for both variants. The galerus is a special form from antiquity: a semi-circular shoulder ring made of brass, which gladiators — particularly the Secutor and Myrmillo types — wore on the side of their weapon arm to ward off sword blows to the neck and shoulder. These three basic forms — spaulder, pauldron and galerus — also form the historical cornerstones of our range here, supplemented by fantasy variants that draw stylistic inspiration from these models.
Materials compared: steel or leather?
| Material | Suitability | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 16-gauge carbon steel (1.6 mm) | Exhibition fighting / Re-enactment | Four-piece and seven-piece shoulder plates, Renaissance pauldrons, Visby shoulder plates |
| 18-gauge carbon steel (1.3 mm) | Re-enactment / LARP | Fantasy shoulder plates with blade guards, lighter display combat variants |
| 20-gauge carbon steel (0.9 mm) | LARP | Shoulder plates with scale armour, entry-level versions for longer events |
| 100% leather (embossed) | LARP / Fantasy | Leather shoulder armour with Celtic motifs (boar, spiral, triskelion), Yggdrasil embossing, horse |
| Brass (cast/embossed) | Antiquity / Reenactment | Roman-style gladiator galere |
The gauge specification comes from the Anglo-American measurement system and refers to the thickness of the sheet metal: 16 gauge corresponds to approx. 1.6 mm, 18 gauge to approx. 1.3 mm, 20 gauge to approx. 0.9 mm. For re-enactment combat, 16 gauge (1.6 mm) is considered the minimum standard — although thinner sheets offer greater flexibility, they are less suitable for intense combat use. Leather scores highly at long events thanks to its light weight and comfort; embossed variants featuring Viking and Celtic motifs such as Yggdrasil, the Triskele or Celtic spiral designs are ideal for character-driven LARP clothing and fantasy outfits.
Periods and styles: From antiquity to the Renaissance
Antiquity
The brass galerus is the characteristic shoulder ring of Roman gladiators. It protected the shoulder of the sword arm and the neck against blows and was historically made from embossed brass. Suitable for an ancient armour ensemble or as a collector’s item.
Early Middle Ages
The Visby shoulder plates, made from 16-gauge steel, are based on finds from the Scandinavian region. Lamellar armour shoulder plates in Viking and Rus styles complete the early medieval picture — suitable for Viking clothing and depictions of Rus warriors.
High Middle Ages / 14th century
Simple segmented shoulder plates with leather edging made from 1.6 mm steel reflect the style of the 14th century: functional, flexible, without excessive decoration. A good starting point for High Medieval re-enactment and gambeson combinations.
Late Middle Ages / Renaissance
Fully articulated pauldrons with blade breakers and polished Renaissance shoulder plates made from 1.6 mm steel represent the pinnacle of plate armour development. Blackened or polished finishes allow for the portrayal of different social classes and eras.
Fantasy
Stylised fantasy pauldrons with striking blade-breaker elements, dramatic shapes and optional scale armour trim. Also available as ladies’ shoulder armour — for every character from paladin to warrior.
Exhibition fighting or LARP — which shoulder plates are suitable for which?
- Minimum material thickness 1.6 mm steel (16 gauge)
- Adjustable leather straps and metal buckles for a secure fit
- Segmented design for full freedom of movement in combat
- Check for historical accuracy against event rules
- Can be combined with a neck guard, chainmail and gambeson
- Leather or lighter sheet steel (18–20 gauge) is sufficient
- Comfort when worn for many hours is crucial
- Appearance and character design play a major role
- Embossed leather variants with motifs for individual characters
- Also available as ladies’ shoulder pads and lightweight fantasy versions
Price ranges and quality levels: What do you get for your budget?
Lightweight leather shoulder pads with Celtic embossing (boar, spiral, triskele, Yggdrasil) or simple steel versions in the 20-gauge range. Ideal for LARP beginners, occasional users and anyone starting to build their first set of armour. Leading brand in this segment: Lord of Battles.
Four-piece steel shoulder plates made from 1.6 mm carbon steel — suitable for stage combat, with leather straps and buckles. Or segmented leather plates with 20-gauge scale armour trim. Good value for money for regular LARP and stage combat use.
Seven-piece shoulder plates made from 1.6 mm steel with maximum segment mobility, Renaissance pauldrons, Viking lamellar armour or fantasy pauldrons with blade breakers (polished or blackened). The historical gladiator galerus made from brass also falls into this category. Both Lord of Battles and Battle Merchant are represented here.
Fit and fastening: What to look out for when buying
The most important feature of good shoulder plates is adjustability: adjustable leather straps with buckles allow for adaptation to different body sizes and builds. When buying, pay attention to the specified strap length and adjustment range — straps that are too short can result in the plates not sitting correctly or shifting during combat.
Anyone putting together a full suit of armour should consider the layering system from the outset: a gambeson is usually worn beneath the shoulder pads, with chainmail optionally worn over the top. This combination affects how snug or loose the shoulder pads fit and what strap lengths you will need. A neck guard bridges the gap between the helmet and the shoulder armour and is indispensable for re-enactments in many historical periods.
The difference between freestanding spaulders and pauldrons attached to a breastplate is relevant when assembling a full suit of armour: spaulders can be worn and combined independently, whilst pauldrons are designed to attach to a breastplate and armour and offer greater support and protection in a complete armour set. Complete your outfit with matching arm guards, leg guards and plate gauntlets for a cohesive overall look.
From simple leather shoulder pads with Celtic embossing to seven-piece Renaissance pauldrons made from 1.6 mm steel — choose the version that suits your historical period, intended use and budget, and complete your outfit with matching arm guards, breastplates or neck guards and collars to create a cohesive set of armour.
Frequently asked questions
Depending on the era and design, the shoulder armour is called a spaulder or a pauldrone. A spaulder is a segmented shoulder guard without a fixed connection to the breastplate, whilst a pauldrone is a larger, more complete construction that is connected to the breastplate and backplate. In German-speaking countries, both are often grouped under the term ‘Schulterplatten’ or ‘Schulterpanzer’. In ancient times, gladiators wore a galerus — a semi-circular shoulder ring made of brass.
A full set of plate armour — also known as a suit of armour or plate armour — consists of several individual parts: helmet, neck guard (collar), shoulder plates (pauldrons/spaulders), breastplate (cuirass), arm guards (rerebrace, couter, vambrace), plate gloves, leg guards (cuisse, poleyn, greave) and shoe guards (soleret). Underneath, a gambeson and/or chainmail is usually worn to cushion impacts and protect the skin from the metal.
For stage combat, 16 gauge (approx. 1.6 mm carbon steel) is considered the standard minimum requirement. This thickness offers sufficient protection whilst still being easy to cut into sections for full freedom of movement. 18 gauge (1.3 mm) is suitable for lighter re-enactment performances and LARP, whilst 20 gauge (0.9 mm) is primarily intended for LARP and occasional users. Always check the specific material requirements of your event or club before purchasing.
Yes — the so-called layering system is historically typical: a gambeson (padded undergarment) and/or chainmail is worn beneath the shoulder plates. This affects the required strap length and the fit of the shoulder plates. When purchasing, look for adjustable leather straps with sufficient adjustment range. A neck guard also closes the gap between the helmet and shoulder armour.
A spaulder is a standalone, segmented shoulder guard that is fastened to the body with straps without being connected to the breastplate — it is therefore well suited as a single armour element. A pauldrone is a larger construction that encloses the shoulder more completely and is usually attached to a breastplate. Pauldrones are typical of the Late Gothic and Renaissance periods, whilst spaulders are more commonly found in earlier eras.