iron cuirass

[Iain]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Great image Iain. He won't run out of weapons in a hurry !

Thanks Colin, he's a chief from Foumban in Cameroon. With the number of knives he's packing, makes you wonder if these were thrown?

[nKante]

Wow! That is an awesome pic. I would think that many daggers would be used as missiles. I wonder how his sleeves behave if they are for throwing!? By the way it gathers at his neck it looks like the chain shirt has a hood. Plus I think I see rings going up the side of his face. Thanx!

[Iain]

Originally Posted by nKante

Wow! That is an awesome pic. I would think that many daggers would be used as missiles. I wonder how his sleeves behave if they are for throwing!? By the way it gathers at his neck it looks like the chain shirt has a hood. Plus I think I see rings going up the side of his face. Thanx!

Yes I would agree, that's a hood. I've attached an image showing a similar maille set.

[nKante]

His chain is definitely over some thick garment.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by nKante

His chain is definitely over some thick garment.

Yes the maille is certainly over thick cloth, the question is, is it actually lifida? Hard to tell really.

[nKante]

This is my take on the piece. I still have to attach the shoulder straps and edge it with leather. I made it out of aluminum, not iron. I plan to put a nice dark patina on it when it is completed. I changed the design a little from the originals. I decided to leave both side open, so as not to compromise the aluminum by repeated opening and closing. I made it for an internet friend who practices traditional African martial arts at his studio in Texas. He is carving me two wooden swords from Benin.