Description:

EUROPEAN BATTLE CUIRASS
Plate steel European cuirass, likely dating from the eighteenth or nineteenth century, constructed of a separate breastplate and backplate, with the latter attached to the former by means of an adjustable leather strap at each shoulder, protected by riveted steel plates, and with an adjustable leather waist belt. The inside of the backplate bears a large numeral "7", likely an old auction or collector''s accession number. The use of the cuirass as a military accoutrement has an extremely long history, from ancient Greek and Roman times all the way through to use by German and French heavy cavalry up to the beginning of World War I. Based on this example''s use of machine-made rivets and buckles, we believe it to date from this latterly period. The steel shows minor surface oxidation overall, with no active rust apparent, and the leather belts shows minor wear but remain supple, else very good.

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May 9, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000