Escuffa
| Escuffa | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Information | |
| Weapon type: | Protective weapon |
| Designations: | Escuffa, Gupfe, small armor, pate plate |
| Use: | Helmet reinforcement |
| Creation time: | circa 16th century |
| Working time: | 16th Century |
| Region of origin / author: |
Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation |
| Distribution: | Europe |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Escuffa also Gupfe , small armor piece or English : Pate-Plate is a steel reinforcement part for early modern European helmets.
description
The escuffa were used as a reinforcement part for helmets that were not made in such a way that they were suitable for tournaments or combat. Certain types of armor (parade and ceremonial armor) were mostly made as show pieces, which were made of steel , but the strength (thickness) of the material did not provide sufficient protection. Mainly in tournaments a lot of emphasis was placed on appearance. It was almost more important for the knight to present himself than for the armor to withstand the heavy blows of battle. Over time, special armor was made for the tournament ( piercing and racing gear , armor for the piston tournament ), but these were not always used. Some knights like to use their old armor because it already existed and new, expensive armor did not have to be purchased. The old armor was equipped with reinforcement parts for the chest, shoulders, elbows and hands. The helmets were reinforced with the Escuffa , which was simply placed on the top of the existing helmet and fastened with leather straps. The production of escuffas was cheaper than making a helmet or, if all armor components were to fit together, an entire armor. In addition, they could easily be adapted to the look of the old armor by an armorer .
In other writings, the Gupfe is referred to as a helmet that was used as a helmet in warmer seasons and regions. A lightweight silk cap was worn under the helmet to cushion the head against the metal and weight of the helmet. The larger cutouts in the helmet shell ensure good ventilation in warm temperatures and increase the wearing comfort of the helmet. The small helmet cap is often referred to as a Gupfe or Wapelin . In this case the name refers to a braided headwear made of fabric.
Web links
- German Gupfe around 1550 in the Metropolitan Museum, New York
- Gupfe in the Metropolitan Museum, New York
Individual evidence
- ↑ Gupfe at the Metropolitan Museum, New York .
- ↑ George Cameron Stone : A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times. With an Introduction by Donald J. LaRocca. Courier Dover Publications, Mineola NY 1999, ISBN 0-486-40726-8 , p. 222.
- ↑ San-Marte (in other words : Albert Schulz): On the weapons knowledge of the older German Middle Ages (= library of the entire German national literature from the oldest to the more recent. Department 2, Vol. 4, ZDB -ID 1006119-8 ). Basse, Quedlinburg et al. 1867.