Eichling’s Breastplate & Backplate

This style of armor is called an anima (Italian) or spangenharness (German). It consists of a series of lames, or of an upper plate and a set of lames, which are attached to leather straps. This is an efficient combination that allows for a high degree of protectiveness without forfeiting flexibility. Yes, I can touch my toes in armor, or do side bends.

The weight of my anima is about 12 pounds. The upper breastplate, which has all the anatomical work in it, is made of 16 gage mild steel; the lames are 18 gage mild steel. (The pauldrons are stainless steel – 18 g.) If the gage seems a little light to you, a close look at the pattern will make you aware of the fact that the lames overlap by almost 50%. The 16 gage upper plate has enough hammer-work in it to make it somewhat resistant to denting. If you want to beef the armor up, and don’t mind the extra weight, switch to stainless. (I would advise against this unless you are a fairly experienced armorer; the curves in the breastplate are difficult enough with mild steel.)

A little-recounted advantage of plate armor is that it is fairly comfortable in hot weather. The shirt I wear is of cotton or silk. Under it I don’t have to wear anything more than a jog bra in the summer (winter sees the addition of a thermal top). Air exchange is pretty effective.

(pictures lost)

 

Documentation:

The breast plate is based on the pictures below, but obviously modified for female anatomy and the articulation was flipped from horseman’s armor (which overlaps upward) to footman’s armor (which overlaps downward).

Hussar breastplate, about 1640.
(State Collection of Art at Wawel Castle, Cracow)
From the book: