Page 131 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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▶ BUFF COAT ◀ TRIPLE-BARRED POT
Date c.1640 Date c.1640
Origin England Origin England CA V ALR
Material Leather Lacing Material Iron, leather
These coats were made Troopers on both sides wore
from cowhide about these simple helmets during
1 ⁄4in (3–4mm) thick. the English Civil War. The
They provided fair two-piece skull is fitted with
protection from swords a neck guard—embossed to
and long-range pistols. simulate lames—a pivoting
The lacing on this coat Neck guard peak with a barred face
has been added for guard, cheekpieces, and
display: the original a neck guard.
fastenings were hooks Barred
and eyes.
face guard Y ARMOR AND WEAPONS
Riveted shoulder strap

◀ HARQUEBUSIER’S
CUIRASS
Date c.1640
Origin England
Material Iron, leather
This simple cuirass was
worn over a buff coat. The
breastplate was thick—
sometimes double-layered—
and bulletproof. The backplate
was thinner, but robust
enough to resist blade thrusts
in close-combat skirmishes.

Buff-leather belt

Ramrod
Skirt split at
the front and
back for riding

▲ WHEELLOCK PISTOL Military wheellock pistols were
Date 17th century expensive and used only by cavalry.
Pairs of these pistols were carried
Wheel Origin Italy in holsters in front of the saddle.
Mother-of-pearl inlay This example is more decorative
than most, having mother-of-pearl
inlay in the stock.
Basket hilt, formed
from a single plate

▲ MORTUARY SWORD Many mortuary swords are decorated ▼ PAPPENHEIMER SWORD This style of sword was popularized
Date 1640 with a chiseled portrait head amid Date 1625–50 by Count Pappenheim, a Bavarian
foliage—the head supposedly of the field marshal in the Thirty Years’ War.
Origin England executed King Charles I—giving Origin Northern Europe It is characterized by the pommel,
Shell guard Weight 2lb (0.89kg) the swords their name. They were Weight 2 ⁄2lb (1.17kg) the complex side bars, and the pierced
1
1
1
Length 36 ⁄4in (92.1cm) used by both sides in the English Length 4 ⁄4ft (1.28m) plate or shell guard on either side of
Civil War. the blade.

Rapier blade
Rounded
pommel