Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > European Armoury
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 11th June 2023, 09:24 PM   #1
fernando
(deceased)
 
fernando's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
Default Breastplate with marks for ID and dating.

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?


.
Attached Images
  
fernando is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12th June 2023, 03:41 PM   #2
10thRoyal
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 78
Default

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/2102...ikemans-armor/
10thRoyal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12th June 2023, 03:56 PM   #3
10thRoyal
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 78
Default

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-...rs-breastplate
Attached Images
 
10thRoyal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12th June 2023, 07:56 PM   #4
fernando
(deceased)
 
fernando's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
Default

Excelent. Much obliged for the precious information.
Fernando
fernando is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th June 2023, 02:06 PM   #5
10thRoyal
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 78
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fernando View Post
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.
10thRoyal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th June 2023, 02:18 PM   #6
fernando
(deceased)
 
fernando's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
Default

.
fernando is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th January 2024, 08:24 PM   #7
Kmaddock
Member
 
Kmaddock's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Ireland
Posts: 543
Default

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
Attached Images
      
Kmaddock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7th January 2024, 11:37 AM   #8
fernando
(deceased)
 
fernando's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
Default

Great catch, Ken .
fernando is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd January 2024, 04:04 PM   #9
10thRoyal
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 78
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kmaddock View Post

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
10thRoyal is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:59 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.