Renaissance period gambeson XVI-XVII century

Renaissance period gambeson was widespread among knights in the XVI-XVII centuries. It has typical for this time short waist-line cut. Such a design provides great flexibility allowing wear it as gambeson armor and waistcoat.

Quite often, this light vest gambeson had detachable laced sleeves.

You give us your specific measures and wishes - we make you a completely custom gambeson that will bring you joy and comfort for a long time! 

Made-to-measure gambeson armour may be sewn by two ways:

• machine manufacturing. Tailors will make padded armor by your parameters, using sewing machine.
• hand sewing. Custom gambeson will be completely sewn by hands of our tailors. Such type of manufacture is historical one and is offered for additional costs.

Main photo shows gambeson with following options:

• 2 layers of padding;
• red linen for outer shell;
• red linen for inner layer;
• quilting and edge contrast color – no
• standard sleeves’ attaching (closed armpit)
• L-size;
• paint stamping – french lilies
• black leather straps with brass points; 
• no fastenings for steel arms. 

Base price includes following options:

1. 1-2 layers of padding (natural sheet wadding 50% cotton, 50% wool);
2. red cotton for outer and inner shell;
3. Standard sleeves’ attaching (closed armpit);
4. XS-size;
5. Black leather straps;
6. Straight bottom edge;
7. No fastenings for steel arms.
8. Paint stamping – no
9. Quilting and edge contrast color – no

If you plan to wear it under plate cuirass, so 2-3 layers of padding will be enough. So while ordering, please indicate, if you will use it under or over the main armour.

Cotton or linen gambesons were more typical for infantrymen. Rich knights were choosing woolen, leather or silk gambesons with bronze buttons or cast buckles. For your choice, there are also simple, but firm leather lacing, buttons covered with fabric or various models of bronze handmade buckles.

If you choose half-coloured or quarter-coloured gambeson, please inform us by e-mail, what colours you prefer and its exact disposition.

We recommend you to order leather fastenings for steel arms, if you plan to use arm protection and plate spaulders over quilted gambeson. By choosing option “Laced sleeves”, you this short gambeson jacket may be turned into sleeveless gambeson.

There is one layer of padding in sleeves by default. If you want to change it, please contact us [email protected]

Main photo shows gambeson armor with following options:

• 1 layer of padding;
• royal-blue cotton for outer and inner shell;
• sleeves’ attaching with hole under armpit;
• M-size;
• black leather straps for fastening;
• straight bottom edge;
• no fastenings for steel arms.

Benefits, which you’ll get, if you buy medieval gambeson at Steel Mastery:

1. Custom-made high-quality padded underarmor, made of natural fabrics by your individual parameters;
2. Reliability and comfortable wearing for years;
3. Product made by experienced tailors, who really know how to make a good armor;
4. Convenient payment systems (Paypal, Skrill, Visa, MasterCard, American Express);
5. Flexible return system in case if you don’t like an item.

If you are looking for a padded gambeson of the earlier Middle Ages, please have a look at these models: aketon of the XV century, arming doublet/aketon of the 1360 year. Also, there are some models of long and short-sleeved gambesons: HEMA style gambeson, early medieval gambeson. 

Tight chausses will be good addition for your medieval look.

In section “Gambeson” you can see all models that we offer for ordering. If you didn’t find any for your taste and wish, please send us photo and description of the required model and we will make it for you.

In this article, we're telling how to choose a gambeson.