Breastplate for a Harquebusier (Light Cavalryman)

Artistprobably William Coxe (London, England, d. 1653)

Dateabout 1650

Mediumiron with modern leather

Dimensions46.5 × 42 × 16.5 cm (18 5/16 × 16 9/16 × 6 1/2 in.), 8 lb 10 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsAt the neck of the breastplate appears the helmeted "A" of the Armorers' Company of London under the Commonwealth (1650-1660), traces of the letter "C" to the left; see digital file. Punched dot at the top of the medial ridge and one each at the center of the flange and on either end of same within. Traces of a painted inventory number also inside the breast (H72?).

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

leather

Object number2014.742

DescriptionThe breastplate is a typical cavalry type, English (London) circa 1650 (cf. WAM 2014.745) of the form to be worn without a collar.

It is fairly heavy, slab-slided, with a low medial ridge that extends from the upstanding flanged neck to the residual peascod at the dipped, integral narrow flange at the waist. The top is beaten up over the front of the shoulders and ends in squared terminals. These are fitted with later, oblong, tongued buckles. Below these are the old locator holes for the original domed studs for the backplate straps.

The armholes are deeply curved, and like the neck opening, have a strong inward turn over a thick wire core. The rear side edges are vertical and plain.

Riveted at the ends of the flange is a modern, improper fauld lame. This is of equal depth over its length, and curves down to mid-length, and has a low arch at the fork. This, and the straight ends, have plain, inward turns. At the top edge on either side is a pair of straps for the (deaccessioned) modern tassets.

Fauld is associated and probably modern. Once deeply pitted, and now heavily overcleaned. Shoulder strap apparatus is a replacement. An apparent bullet dent to left of center at mid-height has been hammered back out.
ProvenanceGift to Museum from Mrs. Willis D. Wood (Long Island, NY) on June 15, 1960. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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