The Cuirass

The cuirass is made up of six pairs of bands, or lames. These bands overlap, forming a herringbone pattern in the middle of the cuirass. Three pairs have been elongated to pass over the shoulder. The armour is laced on the back, leaving the spine exposed. The whole cuirass could be laid more or less flat.

For my armour, I'm going to rivet the bands to each other and to cotton strips backing the armour. Starting from the center front of the armour, where all the bands come together in a single line, I will work my way to the back, fitting the armour to the body. The bands have been made too long on purpose, so I can freely trim them to meet them up on the back. Lastly, I will rivet each set of six bands to a vertical strip, in which grommets will be placed for the laces.

The three pairs of elongated bands passing over the shoulder will be similarly fitted, and then riveted together on the back. Grommets will also be put through these. Also, on the shoulder an arrangement will be made to connect to the pauldrons.

In the picture you can see the bands, as well as the center back vertical strips which will be used to connect them, painted in the base colour. Holes for the rivets will be punched into them, and then assembly can begin.