These gauntlets comprised part of cuirassier's armor of the Thirty Years' War period and may well have been reused in the English Civil Wars as much European armor was. They provide protection for the hands and forearms assuring control of the horse as well as the ability to use a weapon. This pair retains the upper portion of the leather liners which would have finished as gloves. The liners are tapered to allow movement of the arm within the gauntlet at the back, but firmly grip the arm above the wrist. Surviving examples are quite rare. Pairs (this is a true pair) are much rarer.