Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/163

 large screws. At the sides, as at the top of the breastplate, are hinged iron straps, pierced with circular holes, which fitted over staples in the backplate, and which, when united, were secured by rosette-headed nuts. On the left hand of the breastplate are two circular holes, 1/4 of an inch in diameter, and 5/8 of an inch apart; through these pass the plaited braids of flax, which in their turn pass through the small wooden tilting shield (Stechtartsche), assisting to hold it in position. The breastplate varies in thickness from 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch. Attached to the bottom of the breastplate by a single screw is the placate, the top edge of which is chamfered and finishes in a flattened point. To this are riveted the taces, of four plates. Attached to these are the tassets or tuilles, each of one plate, turned under on the inside to a strong flange of triangular section. Down the centre is embossed a ridge, engraved with a rope pattern. The buckles are secured by brass rosette-headed rivets.

German, about 1500. Collection: Prince Ernest of Windisch-Graetz

The backplate is composed of three parts. Plate 1 is a foundation wedge-shaped plate, widening towards the top, along the edge of which is a