Breastplate for a Carabinier
Date1859
Mediumsteel and brass
Dimensions46 × 37 × 19 cm (18 1/8 × 14 9/16 × 7 1/2 in.), 10 lb 8 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsExterior: stamped "489" at left side edge
Interior: "2" near top edge of left shoulder; "688" below this; etched in script on waistflange within (left) "M[anufactu]re Imp[eria]le de Chât[elleraul]t Mai 185(?)9"; (right) "2eme Taille 1ere Largeur No 688," referring to place of manufacture & sizing.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.756
DescriptionPressed steel, faced with riveted sheet of brass; brass rivets. Long, pigeon-breasted, with slight medial ridge on lower half. Brass plate produces wide, shallow border. Concave, flanged turns at neck & arm openings & sides. Studs on sides of chest for backplate straps & above curved waist, at medial line, to retain waiststrap. Held by bolts & wing-nuts on upper part of chest is centered brass plate with imperial eagle within wreath, the whole on polished steel "sunburst" baseplate.ProvenanceAnonymous gift to the Museum on February 1, 1934. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
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Desiderius Helmschmid
about 1552
