Antique Fish scale Armoured Vest

[The-Warden]

Hi People,

Here is an item, I have been pulling my hair out about, this old steel vest I found in Florida, definately has some age, at first I thought it may be WWI personal body armor, but I sent pictures to the Imperial War museum in London, they did not know. all steel fih scale plates, rivets look hand hammered, padding is old cotton, really omething different. If you look at the lower left of the front photo, you'll see a bullet dent, guess someone wanted to try it out. Right now I have it displayed in my Friends vintage clothing store. Anyone seen one like it ?
                                        Regards,
                                        Kevin

[mart]

Well,, I can tell you that dent is not from a bullet or shot of any kind I know !!  Where did you buy this vest !!

[bigwull]

this looks like Shed Work....

[The-Warden]

Hey Mart,

I know you can't see it in the photo, but yes, it is a bullet mark, you can still see the lead splatter mark  on the steel, I'll try and get a better photo of it tomorrow when I'm at my buddies store. A small caliber firearm like a revolver a 32 or 38 would leave this type of mark on the plate, by the way it weighs in at 20 lbs, could be a shed piece or a privately made piece

                                      Regards,
                                      Kevin

[mart]

How thick is it ??  Looks more like a stage prop or a re-enactment piece !! Tale a close up of the fabric at the shoulders and the seams inside where its put together !!  Where did you get the vest ??

[KC]

beat me to it. Take pics of the material...and undersides please!

[sapphire]

Well, it's not a totally dead art.......... similar work here   

http://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/workshops2012.htm  (scroll down to June 9th on their calendar)

MAKE AND TEST ANCIENT ROMAN IRON ARMOUR

Use ancient technologies to make fish scale armour just like the Roman army wore. You will make 24 scales and learn how to make the wire to string them on to make your very own sheet of armour. At the end of the day you will get the chance to test the strength of the armour by throwing spears at a human size model.

[wendy177]

We have a wonderful museum very close to us that we frequent often Higgins Armory Museum  wonderful site & beautiful pieces such a treat to see  antique armor in person!!! Try emailing  with photos & info with Curatorial Inquiries in the subject line. They will need close up photos & as everyone her said photos of the lining / underside, maybe they can help!!  Good luck & let us know 

http://higgins.org/contact-us

[bigwull]

I Don,t think..this an antique piece of Armour...this is most likely  a home made project..or shed work as its called over here...coupled with the info that Sapphire has uncovered...

[The-Warden]

Morning people,

 I don't believe it's that old, as you can see in this photos. The United States tried out many different pieces of personal body armour, so did the french, British and Italians during WWI.

                                 Regards,
                                 Kevin

[The-Warden]

Here are the photos of the old cotton material, it is tender and falls apart easily, also a shot of the rusty inside and the back, it laced with pieces of leather, under the cotton the fish scale continues over the shoulders.
                              Regards,
                              Kevin