3D scan of a 17th century harquebusier breastplate with proof mark
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Alternative text description for 3D object
Harquebusier’s Breastplate, about 1650
This steel breastplate was made in England around 1650 by Isaac Leot, a period when armour was adapting to the growing use of firearms on the battlefield. It was designed to protect a harquebusier—a soldier armed with a matchlock or early flintlock gun—who required strong chest protection while remaining mobile.
The breastplate is shaped to sit high on the chest, with a raised neck that offered protection to the throat. A pronounced central ridge (medial keel) runs vertically down the front, strengthening the plate and helping to deflect blows. The lower edge narrows and dips to a point at the waist, allowing the wearer to bend more easily, while a shallow flange at the bottom would have helped distribute weight and connect to additional armour.
The edges around the neck and arms are turned inward, a finishing technique that increased strength and reduced sharp edges. On each side of the chest are holes for mushroom-headed studs, used to fasten shoulder straps or other armour components. One of these studs still survives on the left side, offering direct evidence of how the breastplate was worn.
A small proof mark appears on the left side of the chest. This mark indicates that the armour had been tested—usually by firing a shot at it—to demonstrate that it could resist a bullet. Such tests were common in the mid-17th century and reflect the changing realities of warfare.
Several stamped marks identify both origin and maker. A Cross of St George on the right shoulder signals English manufacture. The initials “IL” at the neck are associated with Isaac Leot. Additional marks, including file cuts and stamped numbers, are likely workshop or inspection marks used during production or storage.
The breastplate measures about 35 cm high and 34 cm wide, and weighs roughly 8 pounds (3.6 kg). It comes from the Tower arsenal at the Tower of London, where it formed part of the state’s stored military equipment. Today, it survives in the Royal Armouries Study Collection as a record of how soldiers were protected during a period of rapid military change.
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