Armor

While armors in the past were worn by brave knights and warriors, today they have a fixed place in LARP, cosplay, and reenactment - the staging of historical events. For the authentic look of your own character, a suitable armor is of crucial importance.

Meister Messer not only offers high-quality armor in medieval design, but also numerous leather arm guards and various helmets that contribute to an authentic appearance of your character. The following guide explains what you should consider when making a purchase.

Armors: Used for millennia

Armor is historical protective clothing that has been used since antiquity to protect against weapon impact and the resulting injuries. Throughout history, armor has been continuously improved and adapted to the tactics and weapons of the enemy. The constant development aimed to increase both robustness and improve freedom of movement.

The first armors were made of natural products such as tree bark, fur, and bones, which were later reinforced by wooden and metal plates. In Egypt, already before 1.000 BC, not only leather armors were used, but also chainmail shirts made of bronze scales and arm and leg guards made of bronze. Similar scale armors were also used, for example, by the Persians.

In the Middle Ages, - especially by simple soldiers - mainly textile armors were used. Wealthy fighters have been wearing a chain mail shirt (chain armor) since the Early Middle Ages, which was supplemented in the High Middle Ages by additional pieces of armor such as the plate skirt. Scale armor consisting of numerous metal plates, on the other hand, was less common.

Knight armors are now considered relics of the past. However, even in today's world, police and military forces use armors to protect themselves - albeit more in the form of combat suits, incorporating bullet-resistant components made of Kevlar, ceramic, or metal.

The different types of armors

Depending on the era and region, soldiers or warriors were equipped with different types of armor. Below you will find an exemplary overview of common types of armor:

• Textile armor: Already in ancient Greece linen armor - linen-based breastplates - were used. The so-called Gambeson, on the other hand, was widely spread in the Middle Ages. Knights wore this armor piece made of several layers of linen cloth under their chainmail. For simple soldiers, the Gambeson served as primary armor.
• Leather Armor: Scholars believe that leather is one of the oldest materials used in the production of armor. However, due to a lack of archaeological evidence, this hypothesis cannot be definitively proven. Leather was primarily used for individual armor pieces such as breastplates, gloves, and arm or leg guards. Pure leather armors were more commonly used outside of Europe, for example by Siberian tribes.
• Chainmail: Such armor consists of a multitude of interlinked metal rings. This structure ensures that blows and impacts from weapons such as swords are absorbed. In the High Middle Ages, chainmail was considered the most common type of armor.
• Plate Armor: This is an armor consisting of shaped metal plates that are tailored to the body shape and provide protection against stabbing weapons. From the 14th century onwards, plate armor was designed to protect the majority of the body. However, complete plate armor is a European specialty.

Buying Armor: What should you pay attention to?

At LARP events and cosplay conventions, authenticity is crucial. This means that the armor should match your costume and your character's class. For example, it would be inappropriate for a magician to wear heavy plate armor – not to mention that the rules of many live-action role-playing games don't allow it anyway. For wizards, a light leather armor would be more suitable. On the other hand, armor for knights is better suited for the role of a warrior and for medieval festivals.

Order high-quality armor and armor parts at Meister Messer

In the online shop of Meister Messer, you can find armor parts inspired by historical variants as well as replicas of armors from fantasy series like Game of Thrones. In addition, our range also includes numerous shields and LARP weapons that will complete your outfit. What are you waiting for? Discover our wide range of products today.