Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

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To understand armor both as a military technology and as an art object, it is essential to notice the intricacies of its shape. How does those specific forms lend in the ergonomics of wear? How might you "read" the design of armor to interpret its purpose?

Wade Allen, collector, student, and maker of armor for over 30 years, walks us through examples from his personal collection to point out the aesthetic and functional details of historical Western European arm harness.

*VIDEO CONTENTS*
00:00 - Intro
00:45 - Arm circa 1430
07:53 - Arm circa early 17th c.
12:15 - Italian Pauldron mid to late 16th c.
14:23 - A digression on leathers
17:25 - Spaulder circa 1530
21:07 - Spaulder plate circa 1530-60
26:41 - Spaulder plate circa 1510 (low-end example)
28:16 - Elbow circa 1510 (low-end)
29:44 - Couter (elbow cop) circa 1500
31:20 - Couter circa 1490
32:33 - German Black and White Elbow circa mid 16th c.
34:18 - Couter (elbow) circa 1540-1570
35:42 - Conclusion

*WADE’S WEBSITE: ALLEN ANTIQUES*
european-armour.com/allenIndex.html

*SUPPORT THE CHANNEL*
ko-fi.com/loricaclothing

#armor #history #metalworking