Breastplate with marks for ID and dating.

[fernando]

A friend of mine doesn't have an idea what the marks on this breastplate are about ... nor its age.
Could you Glentlemen give us a little help?


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[10thRoyal]

Object number "II.223" and "II.353 B" at the Royal armouries are breastplates bearing "Helmeted A" markings and "II.318 c" bears the "Helmeted A" and "EO" markings. All are breastplates from the Tower Arsenal and according to the Royal Armories date to 1850. The following Bonham's lot of a set of Pikeman's armor bears similar markings.

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/21020/lot/4020/an-english-pikemans-armor/

[10thRoyal]

The following is a breastplate form the Royal Collections trust. It states that the Helmeted A was used by the London Armourers' Company after 1649/1650. What I thought were the letters "NM" to the right of the Helmeted A is probably the top of the symbol of the Cross of St. George giving a more exact date of 1650 to 1660 if royal collections trust is correct.

https://www.rct.uk/collection/67302-a/harquebusiers-breastplate

[fernando]

Excelent. Much obliged for the precious information.
Fernando

[10thRoyal]

Excelent. Much obliged for the precious information.
Fernando

Always happy to help. Anyone ever needs research work done and they have the necessary reference materials, I am more than happy to lend a hand.

[fernando]

:cool:.

[Kmaddock]

Hi All,

I picked up these pieces just before Christmas and was delighted to find the below stamps.

It was at an Auction of old stage props!! alas I did not get at the opening price as some one else liked them, but I am happy all the same (Jim would like the Prop house using real items ;-)


The breast plate with Cromwellian army mark was covered in a thick black paint that took an age to remove. On the right of the auction lot pic.

I am delighted now that I did the work as I have positive ID now on one of of the Maker and the period as per Fernandos Friend.

I bought another 2 in the same Auction lot one which has the L mark, could it be something as easy as Large? and French Napoleonic set also.

Hope you enjoy my finds, I wish I had taken a before and after picture as there was some thick paint on the piece, all I have is auction pic included for prosperity.

Regards,

Ken

[fernando]

Great catch, Ken :cool:.

[10thRoyal]

I bought another 2 in the same Auction lot one which has the L mark, could it be something as easy as Large? and French Napoleonic set.



Living the dream Ken! Now you just got to pull a few helms out of that closing theater.

As for the L marking I'm having some trouble finding anything definitive. The only solid mentions I've seen is from an Allen Antiques listing for a similar cuirass that also contains other markings which states:

"Back marked with a L on the collar and the number 2188 below the right shoulder strap. The L is a common mark on English armours, but not currently attributed."

Best,
Michael