A LIVING HISTORY BLOG.

18TH CENTURY LIVING HISTORY IN AUSTRALIA.

Friday 27 December 2013

18th Century body Armour.

As the threat of firearms increased in the 17th and 18th centuries, body armour was proofed by firing at it with a round ball. The mark left by the round ball was the proof mark.
Armour was worn by military engineers/pioneers, by officers for protection & as a badge of rank. Some body armour was given in trade to Indians and given as a gift to high ranking chiefs. Other body armour was taken from the dead enemy in battle, and so anyone could obtain this body armour if they so wished.

Copy of an 18th century Gorget.


18th century Gorget made in the colonies.

Plain brass Gorget.

Plain brass Gorget.


17th to 18th century trade silver gorget. Measures approximately 6.5 inches across. Hand-engraved with a scene of a Native American and a white man sharing a piece pipe over a fire under a tree and a anthropomorphic sun.

18th century silver gorget.


18th century matching back plate armour.

18th century Northern European shot-proofed breastplate.

Date of origin 18thc.-19th century.

French Cuirass 1865.

Early 18th century Scottish Targe.


Early 18th century wood and leather Scottish Targe.

"they wear a target, composed of leather, wood and brass, and which is so strong, that no ball can penetrate it".  1752.

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