14th Century Gothic Mitten Gauntlets Ulrich von Starkenberg

14th Century Gothic Mitten Gauntlets Ulrich von Starkenberg

Historical Context and Gauntlet Construction

The design of these plate gauntlets is inspired by the iconic late 14th-century and early 15th-century "hourglass" mitten gauntlets that dominated European battlefields. Mitten gauntlets were widely favored by medieval knights over fingered gauntlets because their continuous outer plates offered vastly superior resistance against crushing strikes from polearms and heavy swords, significantly reducing the risk of broken bones.

This replica is crafted in honor of Ulrich von Starkenberg, a late 14th-century Tyrolean knight and nobleman renowned for his military prowess and diplomatic influence in the Alpine regions. The gauntlets feature a flared hourglass cuff protecting the wrist and a palm plate securely riveted together. The thumb and fingers are shielded by two articulated steel plates each, enabling a firm and responsive grip on a sword hilt or polearm shaft.

For maximum comfort and protection, these gauntlets are designed to be worn over thick padded leather gloves. An internal leather wrist strap with a steel buckle allows you to cinch the gauntlet tightly in place. Each pair is custom-made based on your exact hand outline measurements.

Technical Specifications

Sizing and Measurements

These plate gauntlets are produced exclusively as a custom made-to-measure item. To ensure a perfect fit, we require your exact hand outline (measured while wearing the inner leather gloves you intend to use). Measure your palm circumference across the knuckles and the hand length from wrist to the tip of your middle finger (corresponding to measurement 2j in our standard armor chart).

Care and Safety Instructions

To keep your gauntlets in peak condition and prevent premature wear, please follow these maintenance steps:

• After every use or training session, wipe down all steel surfaces with a soft, dry cloth to remove moisture and sweat.
• If you select the mild steel option, regularly apply a light coat of mineral oil or metal wax (such as Ballistol or WD-40) to prevent rust.
• Condition the internal leather straps periodically with leather balm to prevent drying or cracking.
• Store your armor in a dry, well-ventilated location away from high humidity.

IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING: These mitten gauntlets are not rated for full-contact heavy armor combat such as Buhurt or Battle of the Nations! They are designed for light-to-medium HEMA fencing, theatrical stage combat, LARP, and reenactment displays. To ensure comfort and shock absorption, we strongly recommend ALWAYS wearing padded leather gloves underneath.

Recommended Accessories

• Padded Leather Under-Gloves (14th–15th Century) – essential inner layer to prevent chafing and absorb impact energy.
• Padded Gambeson (14th–15th Century) – padded textile armor providing full torso and arm protection.
• Steel Vambraces / Arm Harness (14th–15th Century) – arm protection designed to fit seamlessly beneath the flared gauntlet cuffs.
• Protective Metal Oil – essential maintenance product to protect carbon steel from corrosion.