It always makes me smile when whispers from the 'lurking hordes' come in
Here is distinct evidence that there is sound knowledge among them, and how unfortunate it is that typically they do not post. In this case I am grateful that an attempt to share information was made, even through 'the back door', so thank you Josh, wherever you are.
The note on 'Iron Shirt' is extremely well placed, and there are considerations that this could indeed be an element of armor worn by possibly a warrior of one of the tribes in the region it was found. The well known tales of 'Chief Iron Shirt' have been around for some time, but there are of course a number of versions, most of them envisioning him wearing the cliche' conquistador breastplate or cuirass. However, this account is remarkably accurate in detail and reveals far more about the true nature of these old Spanish items which remained with some generations of these tribes for many years.
Native American warriors are known to have worn various kinds of defensive armor mostly of rawhide in some degree, and used of course rawhide shields, but there are considerably limited instances of use of this kind of armor. In most cases it would seem these were likely traded from Comanchero traders in regions of New Mexico and West Texas from old Spanish resources. This particular mantle, though the 'jury is still out' appears to be at least of early Spanish components, and there is a distinct possibility of being worn by a warrior.
Chief Iron Shirt incidentally was apparantly brought down with a high caliber rifle where the shot entered from his side circumventing the armor which had brought him such acclaim.