Italian 1520 Full Plate Armour Harness

Gleam of the Italian Renaissance: 1520 Full Plate Armour Harness

Technical Specifications and Parameters

The following table provides an overview of the materials and technical data to help you choose the right variant for your needs.

Historical Context and Significance

The year 1520 was the era of the Italian Wars, where heavy cavalry encountered the rising formations of pikemen and arquebusiers. Italian armour of this period was characterised by smooth, rounded shapes designed to deflect lance points and early firearm projectiles. Unlike the "Maximilian" style with its distinctive fluting, the Italian school relied on clean lines and perfect anatomical fit. This harness is a symbol of the prestige of the aristocracy, who participated not only in battles but also in magnificent tournaments and diplomatic summits, such as the famous "Field of the Cloth of Gold".

Proper Use and Maintenance

The armour is delivered as a complete set protecting the entire body—from the closed helmet (armet) to the breastplate, pauldrons, gauntlets, and full leg protection with sabatons. For comfortable and safe wearing, we strongly recommend using a suitable underlayer, such as a thick padded gambeson (arming doublet) and padded chausses. Without this layer, the armour will not sit correctly, and the steel plates may uncomfortably chafe or bruise you during movement.

Maintenance for Longevity

To ensure your harness serves you for many years and stays looking new, give it proper care after every use:

• Always wipe the armour with a dry cloth after wearing to remove sweat and moisture.
• Regularly treat the surface with gun oil or technical petroleum jelly to create a protective film against corrosion.
• Store the armour in a dry place, ideally on a wooden armour stand, to allow the internal leather straps to breathe.

Safety Warnings

This replica is designed for collectors, theatrical use, LARP, or light historical re-enactment. Please note that this is not protective armour suitable for high-impact full-contact combat such as Buhurt or Battle of the Nations, unless specifically ordered in a reinforced hardened steel version. Never attempt to modify the armour using force or drilling, as this could compromise the structural integrity of the plates and lead to injury. Remember that moving in full plate requires practice and physical fitness.

Recommended Accessories

For a complete historical look, we recommend purchasing a linen gambeson, a leather arming belt for hanging your sword, and period-appropriate footwear to be worn under the steel sabatons. An Italian side-sword or a period rondel dagger would also make an excellent addition to this collection.

This armor will be made to measure to your exact size. To submit us your measurements, please use the following measurement chart.