100%
  • en
  • Log in Sign up
    or
    Already have an account? Log in
    Don’t have an account. Sign up
    Forgot your password?

    Enter the e-mail address associated with your account. Click submit to have a password reset link e-mailed to you.

  • 0 0
    ordering

    Product and shipping price


    Your cart is empty

Brigandine gauntlets and mittens

Brigandine gauntlets and mittens section offers you authentic plus functional brigand hand protection. You can choose here replica or stylization of Medieval times gauntlets or combat brigandine hand armor designed by Steel Mastery specifically for modern armored combat.

About Brigandine gauntlets and mittens

This section contains different types of brigandine mittens and gauntlets, which were used in Europe in the Middle Ages.

First mentions of gauntlets with plates refer to the second part of the XIII century. We could get an idea of such defense from description in the military chronicles and sepulchral figures (for example, gravestone of Robert De Blois, Norfolk, Great Britain).

Visby gauntlets

Brigandine gauntlets are an ideal heritage of the island of Gotland representing a balance of functionality and beauty. The battle of Visby gave history buffs not only famous brigantines but also more knowledge about hand protection of that period. Visby brigandine gloves, for example, have strong, but flexible leather base, two large forged plates on the hand’s backside, wristband for better hands’ protection, articulatory fingers, pyramids-shaped knuckles. They are chic and gorgeous being the best Gothic plate gloves but still Visby brutal. Perfect for SCA, HEMA, Larp, Reenactment events, Stage performances, Medieval festivals.

It was a hot July 1361 when Danish troops invaded the island of Gotland and won under Gutnish country yeomen under the walls of Visby town. So hot that it was necessary to dispose of the bodies quickly. So quickly that winners didn't even have time to take off armor of the fallen – many of them were buried armored. Not too profitable for winners but really good for archaeologists, historians, and reenactments.

Interestingly, none of the gloves found were actually on warriors’ hands and, apparently, they fell into graves by chance along with the ground that covered corpses.

Fragments of more than 18 brigandine gloves were found, so historians divide them into 18 types depending on the parts preserved:

  • Types 1, 2, 3 – preserved almost completely, so they are the most famous ones and popular for reconstruction. 
  • Types 4, 5 – mostly large details remained such as metacarpus plates and cuff fragments.
  • Type 6 – metacarpus plate, fingers fragments.
  • Type 7 – only metacarpus plate.
  • Type 10 – "hourglass" type cuffs
  • Types 8, 9, 11-17 – represented by fragments of cuffs, fingers, or metacarpal plates. 
  • Types 18, 19 – sets of small fragments, most likely former parts of gloves.

Most of them are brigantine design – consist of parts riveted under or over a flexible leather base. It wasn't the newest but really popular design type used even by royal persons.

Inference should be drawn that design of brigandine gauntlets of the XIII-XIV centuries varied. There were also specific armour for usage with particular types of weapon. For example, brigandine mitten for buckler (small fist shield with side hold).

Combat brigandine mittens

From the other side, Steel Mastery’s combat mittens are modest, brutally-cute, and give perfect defence to anyone, who needs simple, reliable but strong hand armor for training as well as real combat.

Here is our set of leather laminar mittens. Yes, they are not 100% historically accurate. However, this stylization could easily complete almost any Viking and fantasy image. More importantly, its protective capabilities are much more valuable than its history conformity – 3.5-4 mm thick strong but soft leather, 1.0 mm cold-rolled steel plates,  padded inset inside – functional and comfortable battle hand armor. 

Why brigandine gauntlets and mittens by Steel Mastery?

  • variety of reliable hand protection products made by the highest standards for SCA, HEMA, LARP, stage performances, Medieval festivals, reenactment events.

  • custom armor made by individual parameters and wishes – we do not limit you in your ideas and are always ready to craft hand armour for any of your needs and wishes.

  • only the best leather and metal for your gloves – the highest level of protection with appropriate comfort level.

All samples of brigandine mittens and gauntlets are perfect for participation in the tournaments of medieval fencing, historical festivals, bohurts and reenactment events. Depending on the complement, such defense is compliant to the standards and rules of such social movements, as SCA (The Society for Creative Anachronism), HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), HMB (Historical medieval battles).

If you did not find required element of armour in this section, we can make it individually for you. Just send picture with detailed description to [email protected], then we will quote you and discuss details of order.

Read about evolution of hands’ protection in our article.

All models are handcrafted and made-to-measure. Every item is made according to the original armour, which was founded during archaeological excavations.

You need to do few simple steps to become an owner of such medieval defense:

  1. Open the item, which you wish;
  2. Choose type and thickness of metal (cold-rolled steel, stainless steel or titanium);
  3. Define metal for rivets and buckles (steel or brass);
  4. Select colour of leather

If you have some difficulties with order, please contact our manager. We will help you to define your size, required model and its complement.

Once all options have chosen, you need to add item to the cart and make a payment. After that, manager will contact you with measurement request and specification of order’s details.

Read more
Less

Review about items

Visby brigandine gloves
Rick B
Visby brigandine gloves
BG-01-1

I received my pair a little while ago, and have been trying them out during practice over the last few weeks. They fit my hands very well and provide my hands/fingers/wrists great mobility, while still being properly protective.

Brigandine gauntlets - mid 14th century
Lonit
Brigandine gauntlets - mid 14th century
BRG-01

Made to my custom measurements and requests already more comfortable than my other HEMA gloves to be honest, the price is reasonable as well although, keep in mind, if your package has to go through customs, you might have to pay almost as much as the original price for it, not that these guys can do anything about it of course, just something to keep in mind. I'll report back after using them a while.

Visby brigandine gloves
Daniel
Visby brigandine gloves
BG-01-1

A class of their own! Fitting perfectly to my hands and staying snuggly on, they have great mobility for my fingers and wrist. If that wasn't enough, they catch the eye of everyone who takes a look at my armor set, becoming the first thing that everyone wants to see!

Visby brigandine gauntlets
Ewan Ferguson
Visby brigandine gauntlets
BG-01

fits great, looks even better. they are very, very close to the original gauntlets, so they're great for reenactment. the fit is good, i can sign my name in them, and they are comfortable enough. as with any gauntlet, wearing them will take a lot of getting used to, but it's worth it. the straps that hold the cuff closed can be used to attach the gauntlets to your belt when not in use, which is surprisingly useful. finally, the only problems i've found are that when they arrived the leather was slightly stiff, which was fixed simply by wearing them until they formed to my hands, and that the lining glove is a little bit too short, and can get in the way occasionally. it should also be noted that this style of cuff limits wrist mobility, so if that worries you, then you may want to ask for a different style of cuff, but that is not really a problem, it's simply a fact about Visby gauntlets that one should consider before ordering. overall, i'd give them a 4.8 out of 5, almost perfect