Late Medieval Steel Gorget – 18 Gauge Neck Armour

Late Medieval Steel Gorget – 18 Gauge Neck Armour

Design and Utility

This replica is constructed from two main pieces: a breastplate and a backplate, designed to sit comfortably over a gambeson.

• Neck Protection: It features a raised standing collar (approx. 3 cm high) riveted to the main plates. This collar acts as a blade-catcher, stopping weapons from sliding up the chest into the throat.
• Attachment System: The front and back plates are joined by a leather strap and buckle on one side, allowing for easy donning and doffing.
• Integrated Mounting Points: You will notice leather straps with buckles located on the shoulders. These are specifically designed to attach pauldrons or spaulders. This makes the gorget a central structural piece of your armour, preventing your shoulder guards from sliding down your arms.
• Safety Edges: All outer edges are flanged (rolled). This strengthens the steel and ensures there are no sharp edges that could damage your padded clothing or cause injury.

Product Specifications

Historical Context

The gorget evolved from the mail aventail and earlier plate "bevors". By the late 15th century, it became a standard piece of plate armour, bridging the gap between the helmet and the cuirass. Interestingly, as firearms made plate armour obsolete in the 17th century, the gorget shrank in size and survived as a symbolic crescent-shaped badge worn on a chain by officers to denote rank—a tradition that lasted well into the 20th century in some armies.

Maintenance and Care

* Rust Prevention: This item is made of mild steel and is not rust-proof. Always wipe it dry after use and apply a protective oil (such as **Ballistol** or mineral oil) to the surface. The interior is painted black to help resist corrosion from sweat. * Sizing: Please remember to take your measurements while wearing your **gambeson** or arming doublet. The gorget is designed to fit over padding, not bare skin. * Usage: Suitable for **LARP, stage combat, and costuming**. While 18 gauge steel is durable, we recommend caution for full-contact heavy combat where thicker steel might be required.

Would you like me to suggest a pair of spaulders that are compatible with the straps on this gorget?