Armor for a Carabinier
Date1863–1865
Mediumsteel with brass; leather; horsehair
Dimensions20 lb 6 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
MarkingsNumber "500" incised on left side under arm. Number "243" stamped on inner left shoulder. Incised writing along inner face at waist and numbers "2" and "1" also on inner face of left shoulder.
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.90
Label TextAlthough armor had lost its military importance by the late 1600s, it never entirely vanished. In the 1800s, helmets and torso armor like this were still used in battle by heavy cavalry. Though ultimately derived from the armor of the medieval knight, this armor is visually redesigned to echo the classical styles of ancient Rome.
As late as the beginning of World War I, troopers headed off to the front wearing armor comparable to this. Such armor was quickly abandoned in the face of machine guns and trench warfare, just at the moment when new modern styles of helmets were coming into general use. Today, this older style of armor is reserved for a few elite military units in Europe, who wear it for ceremonial occasions.ProvenanceEdward Hubbard Litchfield collection; auctioned by Parke-Bernet Galleries (NYC) December 5, 1951, lot no. 156; purchased by Museum from Herb Glass (Bullville, NY) on April 22, 1952. Paid $150 for lot which included HAM#s 3007.1 & 2.
Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.On View
Not on view
workshops of Wolf and Peter von Speyer
about 1590–1600
