Description

A Rare Homogenous Harquebusier Armour from Shirburn Castle. This armour was part of the 17th Century armoury formed at Shirburn Castle by the Gage family. The castle was sold to the Earls of Macclesfield in 1716 and subsequently the armoury was dispersed. It is very rare for a homogenous armour of this type to come up for sale.

Helmet: of classic form, with a two piece skull, with a single-piece neck-guard embossed with three simulated lames, a pivoted peak fitted with three face bars, and two cheek pieces attached with leathers.
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Breastplate: Made of a single plate, forged into the typical form with low medial ridge drawn out to a small point on the base, plain turned edges at the neck and armpits. It is fitted with a pair of studs for the shoulder straps, and has a short flared skirt. Decorated with line engraving.

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Backplate: Forged from a single plate, shaped tot he shoulders, and in the lumbar area is forged out into a shallow flange, plain turned edges at the neck and armpits. The backplate is connected to the breastplates by two plated shoulder straps and a leather waist belt. Decorated with simple line engraving.

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Thom Richardson (2004) The London Armourers Of The 17th Century, Henry Ling Ltd, Dorset Press, UK.