Moro armour: A Coat of Mail and Plate

Sentrad · 16th October 2014, 11:08 PM

I just want to present to the forum some pics of a coat of mail and plate from my collection. It's from Maranao, Lanao del Sur, Western Mindanao, Philippines, a construction from brass chains and plates of different size out of dark browish buffalo horn, a perfect combination of flexibility and protection. With one exception, the brass rings are not riveted like the iron rings at European hauberks. The horn plates are not as heavy as iron or brass plates, but I have to confess, running around with this hauberk of 9.6 kg in a hot humid climate would be a pretty nice task....Some of the silver plated copper applications are lost.
Dimensions (just lying on the ground, not the coverage): length appr 74 cm (29 in.), width with sleeves appr 67 cm (26 in.), lower width appr. 51 cm (20 in.).
Are there are differences in style or construction between the different islands of the Sulu Sea? In Northern Borneo, Northern Sulawesi and the Northern Moluccas exist Portuguese/Spanish helmets, what about armour?

Questions and comments are highly welcome.

Udo

Battara · 17th October 2014, 12:32 AM

I'm looking into that question myself. So far I have found some differences between Sulu and Maranao, like the okir types as well as the intricacy of the catches on armor.

Thank you so much for posting this wonderful piece (grumble, grumble, envy, envy

) with provenance. Helps tremendously.

And yes you noticed that the brass/bronze rings are in fact simple. They are usually also in a 4 to 1 chain maille ratio as well.

estcrh · 17th October 2014, 01:55 AM

Thanks for posting your moro armor, great pictures and description, do you have any images of the inside.

Robert · 17th October 2014, 02:31 AM

Beautiful armour Sentrad, thank you very much for posting. If it is not too much to ask how long has this been part of your collection and how did you acquire it. Did it come with the provenance you have stated or is this information that you have found after your initial acquisition?

Best,
Robert

Maurice · 17th October 2014, 11:24 AM

Hello Udo,

that is a fantastic moro armour!
I have had one several years ago, bought from a Dutch antique dealer.
It wasn't as nice as yours, and fully made of brass, also the plates.
Remembering my armour, it was indeed quite heavy, which certainly would be necessary to resist heavy blows with swords.
But at the other hand, carrying armour with horn plates, would make you more agile in a man to man fight.

Again, a very lovely piece you have in very good condition!
Thanks for posting,
Maurice

Battara · 17th October 2014, 07:20 PM

I do have one additional question, how do you know that the metal pieces are silvered copper?

16th October 2014, 11:08 PM	#1
Sentrad Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 20	Moro armour: A Coat of Mail and Plate I just want to present to the forum some pics of a coat of mail and plate from my collection. It's from Maranao, Lanao del Sur, Western Mindanao, Philippines, a construction from brass chains and plates of different size out of dark browish buffalo horn, a perfect combination of flexibility and protection. With one exception, the brass rings are not riveted like the iron rings at European hauberks. The horn plates are not as heavy as iron or brass plates, but I have to confess, running around with this hauberk of 9.6 kg in a hot humid climate would be a pretty nice task....Some of the silver plated copper applications are lost. Dimensions (just lying on the ground, not the coverage): length appr 74 cm (29 in.), width with sleeves appr 67 cm (26 in.), lower width appr. 51 cm (20 in.). Are there are differences in style or construction between the different islands of the Sulu Sea? In Northern Borneo, Northern Sulawesi and the Northern Moluccas exist Portuguese/Spanish helmets, what about armour? Questions and comments are highly welcome. Udo Attached Images

17th October 2014, 11:24 AM	#5
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,342	Hello Udo, that is a fantastic moro armour! I have had one several years ago, bought from a Dutch antique dealer. It wasn't as nice as yours, and fully made of brass, also the plates. Remembering my armour, it was indeed quite heavy, which certainly would be necessary to resist heavy blows with swords. But at the other hand, carrying armour with horn plates, would make you more agile in a man to man fight. Again, a very lovely piece you have in very good condition! Thanks for posting, Maurice Attached Images

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17th October 2014, 12:32 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I'm looking into that question myself. So far I have found some differences between Sulu and Maranao, like the okir types as well as the intricacy of the catches on armor. Thank you so much for posting this wonderful piece (grumble, grumble, envy, envy ) with provenance. Helps tremendously. And yes you noticed that the brass/bronze rings are in fact simple. They are usually also in a 4 to 1 chain maille ratio as well.

17th October 2014, 01:55 AM	#3
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,497	Thanks for posting your moro armor, great pictures and description, do you have any images of the inside.

17th October 2014, 02:31 AM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Beautiful armour Sentrad, thank you very much for posting. If it is not too much to ask how long has this been part of your collection and how did you acquire it. Did it come with the provenance you have stated or is this information that you have found after your initial acquisition? Best, Robert

17th October 2014, 07:20 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I do have one additional question, how do you know that the metal pieces are silvered copper?