Medieval Mitten Gauntlets, 15th-16th C., 1.6 mm Steel, Pair, Plate Armour for the Hands

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Late Medieval / Renaissance Plate Armour Mitten Gauntlets in Maximilian Style, 1.6 mm Steel, Pair

Details:
- Material: approx. 1.6 mm steel, brass rivets, black suede gloves, leather straps and pads
- One-size (Large)
- Outer dimensions (HxB – without suede gloves): approx 35 x 12 cm
- Dimensions of inner gloves: approx. 34 x 11 cm (corresponds roughly to glove size 9)
- Inner circumference at wrist: approx. 30 cm
- Inner diameter at wrist: approx. 9 cm
- Weight (pair): approx. 2700 g


Looking for a high-quality, robust armour for the hands that will not blow your budget? Well, you’ve come to the right place! These beautiful plate armour gauntlets offer a great value for money.


In the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, plated gauntlets were an essential part of the suit of armour, protecting the hands and wrists both on the battlefield and during jousting tournaments.

The battle gauntlets we offer here as a pair are also known as mitten gauntlets, half-gauntlets, demi-gauntlets or demi-gaunts. These fingerless, "mitten" style gauntlets, worn with gloves underneath, were designed to protect the wrist, the back of the hand, the base of the fingers, and the full thumb. They did not offer the same protection as full plated gauntlets, but allowed full use of the fingers.
This particular type is an early Maximilian style, called Schott-Sonnenberg. The Maximilian armour was developed as an alternative to the Gothic armour, which was also popular at the same time. It takes its name from Maximilian I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire between 1493 and 1519, and was worn in Germany in the very final years of the 15th and the first quarter of the 16th century. The Schott-Sonnenberg type was a brief transitional style which did not feature the decorative fluting that adorned the later style, classic Maximilian armour.

Our Maximilian Gauntlets are handcrafted from approx. 1.6 mm thick steel (slight variations in steel thickness may occur due to the manufacturing process). The inside is blackened for better corrosion resistance. For proper freedom of movement, the back of the hand, the thumb, and the wrist are each composed of sliding plates or lames hinged on sturdy and decorative brass rivets. The base of the forearm is protected by a long, pointed cuff, which is also adorned with brass rivets. The lower edge of the cuff and the top edge of the upper lame are rolled.

These plate mittens do not only offer an authentic appearance and flexibility, but also wearing comfort. This is ensured by integrated gloves made of soft, yet sturdy suede, which are firmly riveted to the thumb. Each thumb is also equipped with an additional, stitched-on leather pad. Two riveted straps made of robust, approx. 3 mm thick leather are attached to each mitten on the inside, providing for a secure hold.

Suitable for light combat re-enactment / stage fighting, this pair of fully wearable steel gauntlets is most fitting for late medieval settings and ideal to complete the armour of a European knight.


Our hand-made, articulated mitten gauntlets do not only impress with their combination of safety, mobility and comfort, but are also simply a true eye-catcher. And they are affordable too! So, snap at the chance today and order this gorgeous piece of history that will add the finishing touch to your medieval knight's armour!


The steel used here is not rust-proof and might show slight surface tarnishing in places. We recommend you to maintain the plate gauntlets on a regular basis, for example using Ballistol Universal Oil, which is ideally suited for steel care.

Specs may slightly vary from piece to piece.


Manufacturer: Battle-Merchant Wacken GmbH & Co. KG, Gehrn 4, 25596 Wacken
Contact: info@battlemerchant.com