Prussian breastplate (cuirass), German (c 1760)

Title	Prussian breastplate (cuirass)
Nationality	German
Period	c 1760

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This clean example is marked '2' and 'Hartkopf', very probably a retailer's mark, Hartkopf being an early 19th century firm of arms dealers and sword cutlers. Its construction suggests a date nearer to 1760 than later. They were, in any case, proscribed (specifically forbidden) in 1790 by the Prussian army.

It has the characteristic musket proof (dent in the front). Musket proofing was done from the early 17th to late 18th century to test the strength of the armour.

This type of breastplate was worn without a backplate, simply with two buff leather cross straps which started from a leather waist belt at the back of the trooper's body. An almost identical one to this, with buff leather cross straps for support, leather padded edges and long side hooks, is on display, dated 1760, at the Wehrgeschichtliches (War History) Museum Schloss Rastatt, Upper Rhine, Germany, together with carbine, saddle and boots.

This plate now has a nice even grey tone colour, the bulk of the rust having been removed. It weighs just over 4 kg.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Militaria : Armour : German : 18th Century]

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