*VERY RARE**COMPLETE & ORIGINAL**C1650 English Civil War Era Cromwell’s New Model Army ‘Ironsides’ Cavalry Horseman’s Lobster Tailed Helmet, Antiques & Militaria

**VERY RARE**COMPLETE & ORIGINAL**C1650 English Civil War Era Cromwell’s New Model Army ‘Ironsides’ Cavalry Horseman’s Lobster Tailed Helmet, Breast Plate & Back Armour With Correct Commonwealth Markings & Left Arm Gauntlet / Guard With Display Stand - 18572

The English Civil War (1642–1651) was a series of civil wars and political machinations between Parliamentarians & Royalists. The Parliamentary forces New Model Army was created in February 1645 as it was felt that a professional army would be more successful against the king’s army. It was a military unit that was to transform the English Civil War. The New Model Army's elite troops were its Regiments of Horse. They were armed and equipped in the style known at the time as harquebusiers, rather than as heavily armoured cuirassiers. They wore a back-and-front breastplate over a buff leather coat, which itself gave some protection against sword cuts, and normally a "lobster-tailed pot" helmet with a movable bar visor, and a bridle gauntlet on the left hand. Prince Rupert, the most respected officer fighting for the King, nick-named them the Ironsides as they seemed to cut through the enemy with ease. This is an original, complete and very rare set of C1650 ‘Ironsides’ armour consisting of Cavalry Horseman’s Lobster Tailed Helmet, Breast Plate & Back Armour With Correct Commonwealth Markings & Left Arm Gauntlet / Guard Complete With Wood Display Stand. The iron helmet has the correct dome skull with combe, riveted plate lobster tail neck guard. It also has riveted and vented steel cheek guards and adjustable central bar face guard. The helmet is approx. UK size 6. The chest and back armour made of thick iron are linked by riveted steel plates mounted on the shoulders of the back armour. The plates have adjustment holes which fasten to lugs on the breast plate. The armour is 15” tall (to the shoulder). It would fit approx 38” chest (over a coat as it would have been worn). The breast armour is curved with vertical ridge to provide strength and has a flared waist. A 2 piece leather belt riveted to the back armour has a brass buckle and secures the breast plate and back armour together when worn. The breast plate & back armour have correct period Commonwealth markings (illustrated). The Iron left arm guantlet / guard has the correct riveted edges and hinged riveted plate hand / knuckle guard. The gauntlet is 17” overall length. All metal of the helmet & armour has even patina consistent with age. This historic Cromwellian armour set is accompanied by the wooden display stand on which it was found. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 18572