I was recently at the Chicago Art Institute and I was looking at the suits of armor and wondering what the steel bars on the chests were for. It is basically a metal bar that sticks out from the chest with a bend in it. Some of the suits had this bar and some didn’t. So what are these bars called and what are they for?
If it’s what I’m thinking of it’s probably a bracket intended to make it easier to hold a lance in the attack position. Otherwise, I’d need more information.
Where is it, exactly? How big?
I’ve seen the same suits and I’m pretty sure Exginner has the right of it.
Yep, that’s exactly what it is. A lance support. It’s typically welded on the breastplate, and it is usually only found in Jousting suits of armor, not on field armor (meant for combat).
Check out the top image here.
What am I, a recovering alcoholic now?*
I suppose that now would be a good time to admit that I just pulled that out of my butt.
*Actually, I just got off work and happen to have a gin & tonic in front of me right now.