Breastplates & Body Armor

A breastplate is the heart of any armor kit, and every cuirass here is real, wearable steel: the medieval knight's breastplate, the Roman legionary and centurion muscle cuirass, and the Greek phalanx cuirass. Each is built to strap on over an arming garment or stand on display, and each is the chest armor a full suit is built around.

Choosing a breastplate

Patterns

The medieval breastplate is the knight's chest plate in the Italian style, plain or fluted, with the plackart and fauld where the pattern calls for them; the warrior cuirass is the plainer working version. The Roman muscle cuirass, in legionary and centurion versions, is the sculpted chest piece of the Roman officer, the breastplate on every statue of an emperor. The phalanx cuirass is its Greek ancestor, the bell and muscle cuirass of the hoplite. Every piece here is a chest plate for the front; back plates are stated on the listing where included.

Wearing and display

Match the century first. A medieval breastplate pairs with our helmets and full suits of armor; a muscle cuirass anchors a Roman or Greek kit beside a shield and the pieces in Greek and Roman armor. If you plan to wear it, check the chest measurement on the listing and wear it over a padded gambeson or arming jacket, which spreads the weight and stops the steel rubbing. For display, a breastplate hangs on a wall or sits on a stand as well as any helmet. Steel wants a wipe of oil now and then.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a breastplate and a cuirass?
A breastplate is the front plate. A cuirass is properly the front and back together, though the word is also used for the sculpted Roman and Greek chest armor on its own.

What is a muscle cuirass?
The Greek and Roman chest armor hammered to the shape of an idealised torso. Officers and emperors wore it; legionaries mostly wore mail or segmented plate.

Can I wear this?
Yes. Every breastplate here is wearable steel with straps. Check the chest measurement on the listing and wear a padded garment underneath.

Does it come with a back plate?
Each listing states what is included. Several are front plates only, which is how most are displayed.