Manifer (defense for the left arm)

Dateabout 1480–1540

Mediumsteel, iron and leather

Dimensions66 cm (26 in.), 6 lb (weight with pasguard)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsOn the upper face, near the extension plate are traces of two indistinct, stamped maker’s marks. One is a cross Moline with addorsed quatrefoil in two corners (compare a similar, but reversed mark on the collar of A. 26 in the Wallace Collection.) The other is a star-or leaf-shaped mark. The outer face of the second from the top and those lames below, as well as the edge of the manifer at the elbow are marked with triple nicks. Those on the lames above the main lame however, appear to be later. On the medial edge of the couter lames are 4,3,2 modern, elongated “V”-shaped nicks. The manifer has red-painted "W.1320", "W.1321" within.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1164.7

DescriptionThe manifer proper is of tulip-form, of one piece covering the hand and forearm, riveted along the overlapping inner edge. The bend of the wrist is suggested by an incised line encircling the defense at that point, and the defense extends over the hand in a boxed section, which is embossed for the base of the thumb. The plate flares out slightly over the fingers, and at the squared end has a straight-cut extension of boxed section, secured by three rivets, of which two are replacements and one is broken. The outer face of the hand is fitted with a well-formed, riveted patched repair over an ancient puncture; this seems likely to be the result of damage from use, suggesting a lance-hit that broke through the metal at this point. Close examination shows the beginnings of a pair of divergent embossed lines forward of this point. The hand opening is fitted with a riveted, leather lining-strip.

The manifer is linked to the couter by a single, cusped narrow lame. While generally similar, the elbow-defense is not a mate to that on the right. Two cusped, upwardly-overlapping lames above connect the couter to the upper cannon. This too, is similar to that of the right, but differing in the treatment and execution of the sprays, and lacking the cusped sunken border below. An old, but later associated extension-plate is riveted to the top of the plate and is fitted with an oblong, restored leather tab pierced for points.

This group, except for the associated extension-plate above, belongs together and is numbered “W.1320” in red paint within. The lower group is similarly-marked “W.1321”.

Unlike that of the right defense, the second upper lame is rivet-fitted for a transverse leather. This was replaced at a later date, but is once more lost. Traces of the original leather remain under the irregularly-circular washers. This lame has also been relocated above the original hole on the inner side. On the lames below, on the same side, are later rivets, and a patched repair. The pivots of the mainlame have been broken and relocated in the middle of the edge and to the outside of the basal hole. On the medial edge of the couter lames are 4,3,2 modern, elongated “V”-shaped nicks. There are no punched-dot, or chevron marks on this defense.

At the plain edge of the bend of the elbow, the manifer is pierced with two threaded modern holes, placed transversely. To these is bolted an associated pasguard (see separate entry).
Provenance(probably) ex-Nuremberg "Zeughaus" Germanisches Museum (Nuremberg) (to c. 1905) Counts Erbach-Erbach (Erbach in Odenwald) E. Kahlert und Sohn (Berlin) Clarence H. Mackay (Roslyn, L.I) Purchased by the Armory from Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc. (NYC), agents for the Mackay estate, on 1 April 1940, as #A-43/120. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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