"ECW Cavalry Gloves/Gauntlets" Topic

I have a variety of manufacturers in my collections newly growing collection. But I have noticed some cavalry have a long glove/gauntlet on the left arm, while most do not. I have been looking through various sources. In other peoples painted miniatures I have seen this painted black or metal. I have only seen one illustration, which shows it as black. Is this meant to be a metal gauntlet? Or is more of a hardened leather, usually black? I assume it was only on the left arm to allow more freedom of movement for the right to wield weapons.

Hi Firefly, It would have been normal for cavalry to have leather gauntlets on both hands, and in addition well equipped troops would also have a metal 'bridle gauntlet' which covered their left hand and lower arm. This was to protect the vulnerable left hand/arm that controlled the horse's reigns.

There is a nice picture showing this on the Warlord site here: link

The front box cover art shows a cavalryman setting about a bunch of pikemen. You will see the blackened bridle gauntlet on his left hand/arm.

Metal armour was typically blackened during this period to protect it from rust. I expect there were different 'recipes', but soot and oil, baked on, is one from memory.

Thanks for the information. I was thinking it was a black hardened leather affair, but didn't know about the 'rust inhibitor'. Am going to try a mix of gun metal and black to see if I like it.

This portrait of Natheniel Fiennes – link – is one of the best-known representations, and James II's armour – link – is another good example.

I've never come across the hardened leather variety – it would be great if one of the ECW experts could confirm one way or the other if they were used.

I am not saying they used hardened leather (I new to this period). I merely said I couldn't tell if the gauntlet was metal or leather based on the few illustrations I saw. The examples and explanations make it clear to me this was metal.

Sir Thomas Fairfax certainly wore a metal left hand gauntlet, it's on display at the National Civil War Centre in Newark. The display label with the gauntlet states that it was fairly common practice to wear an armoured left glove and a leather right.

His gauntlet is top right in the picture, armour on leather.

Pic from link

Loving those black leather boots! So well preserved.

Always great to see actual artefacts, like that. Great pic KYPD38!

Russeting was another preserving technique for armour but I have no idea how it was done. Linseed oil applied to hot metal creates a browning effect or at least it does to my matchlock musket barrel after cleaning. It's hot due to the boiling water and powder solvent used to clear the crud out of it!

On display at Royal Armouries Leeds is a buff leather gauntlet, extra thickness and protection from buff leather fish-scales.

That is a very interesting find! Perhaps an alternative now for figure designers.

There is akso great view of the classic metal bridle arm armour in your excellent Royal Armouries blog post.

Thanks

It is an interesting design. Squared off hand protection with gloved fingers underneath

Another pair of buff fish scale gauntlets, this time no extra protection for the bridle arm

this time a close up of an armoured bridle gauntlet

Great pictures KYPD38- thank you for sharing them.

Thanks KYPD38!

You are welcome. Last two from National Civil War Centre, Newark.

On display at the National Army Museum, gauntlet and more interestingly a fish scale buff leather upper arm protector (to be worn above the gauntlet) Can't remember seeing one of those on display anywhere else.