REVOLUTIONARY WAR PERIOD NAVAL BREASTPLATE

Distinctive type worn on ship board to protect against small arms fire (which killed Nelson) and fragmentation wounds from cannon impacts. See Neumann Collectors Encyclopedia, page 15 for a near identical breastplate worn by John Paul Jones. Hand made with distinct medial with under cut base and flared bottom. The edge with hand formed rolled brass reinforcement and high conical rivets with hand cut washers securing the remnants of a leather liner inside. Few rivets dented or worn through. The brass edge of the right arm opening lacking and revealing hand fabrication by drilling a series of holes which were connected with a fine saw to shape the thick plate. That brass edge piece easily fabricated and replaced if desired. Steel with smooth glossy chocolate patina. It would be hard to find a more dramatic piece for a colonial house or Revolutionary War or Naval collection.

Extended Layaway is available for this item.