Reinforcing Bevor with Tilting Target

Culture Southern German , probably Augsburg

Dateabout 1560

Mediumsteel

DimensionsOverall: 57 × 47.4 × 26.2 cm; 4.45 kg (22 7/16 × 18 11/16 × 10 5/16 in.; 9 lb. 13 oz.)
Bevor: 3 lb, 9 oz (weight)
Tilting target: 6 lb, 4 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Markings(Reinforcing bevor) Each hole for the lower set of bolts is marked with punched dots on the face, numbering from 1 to 3, right to left; the threaded mount at the neck has 4 dots; at the left basal edge between the central and left hole is a serial group of 9 dots in 2 horizontal rows; on the inside centered slightly above the right hold and that at center on the basal edge is a serial group of 6 triangular punched marks in 2 roughly triangular groupings. (Tilting target) This is serial dotted to match: 9 dots in 3 rows of 3 each on the inner edge of the target face near the rib at the right upper half; the locator holes are punched to match those of the reinforcing bevor; just above the left basal mounting hole the target is struck within 6 triangular serial marks as above.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.975

DescriptionBevor shaped to cover the bluntly pointed bevor/upper bevor of a close-helmet of type locking over the collar, & is secured by bolts passing through holes at top & bottom edges. Upper edge level in area of sights, & extends upward in bevelled curve to an embossed, rounded terminal over left visor-pivot, & curves down to top of shoulder. Right side deeply cut with right-angled opening to accommodate trap door of helmet. Extending full-length of reinforce is low medial ridge. Centered between this & cut-out is large hole for bolt of close-helmet. Defense has a defined chin, & embossed at basal sides of neck for the flange of the helmet and collar. Reinforce extends slightly to either side over collarbones, right being drawn out in an asymmetrically curved, angled flange with a faceted edge. Opposite side bevelled curving down to straight basal edge similarly finished. At the left collarbone near the medial region is a riveted, threaded insert for the topmost bolt of the target. Extending across the basal edge is a row of three holes for those bolts that secured the reinforce and target together, and to the breastplate.

Steel target of irregularly trapezoidal form, molded to shoulder & left side of neck. Outwardly curved on its lower half, with rounded corners. Riveted to surface in a trellised pattern are 6 thick bars of rounded iron stock. Single similar bar is riveted to outer perimeter, save neck edge. Fastening bolts are restored.
Label TextThe criss-cross bands on the target were designed to catch the triple-pointed coronel tip of an opponent's lance.ProvenancePrinces Radziwill (Nieswicz Castle, Poland) John Higgins purchased on 28 July 1928 from Theodore Offerman, York Galleries (NYC). Given to the Armory on 15 December 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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