Trench Armour - Splinter protection ???

[ubisacco]

Hi comunity,
its now the third time in about 10 years i come across one of these. (probably twice the same)
I own / owned some Trench Armour in its known variations. But this kind i never ever found any reference, anywhere.
Even Bashford Dean, who achieves to mention the mythic "Elefant plate" with drawings (no pics), makes no reference or what soever to this strange armour.

In adition to that, the most similar models i could find refence to, are british models. But none of these existed as early as 1914!
It has similarity with Berkeley's "Flexible Armour Guard" (1916) or even more similar to the "Franco-British cuirass" (also 1916). And that is all.

Has anyone knowledge of this armour or feasible references of ist existence.

Otherwise my only posible conclusion is that it is a bold and cunning fake. Thanks for your oppinions.

Here the pics:


<a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/551056327763185" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails111.imagebam.com/32777/551056327763185.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/e395e1327763202" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails109.imagebam.com/32777/e395e1327763202.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/3ee09a327763215" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails112.imagebam.com/32777/3ee09a327763215.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/b681e8327763227" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails111.imagebam.com/32777/b681e8327763227.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/085be5327763254" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails109.imagebam.com/32777/085be5327763254.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/7cdc72327763282" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails112.imagebam.com/32777/7cdc72327763282.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/0318c7327763308" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails109.imagebam.com/32777/0318c7327763308.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a>

[mchap]

I cant offer up any real information, just observations. From a functional pov its lacking in a couple critical areas about the waist, and the gaps between plates is strange. Although, if it was worn underneath a tunic and/or great coat it would be an effective bit of protection, like a Medieval brigandine.


Berkeley Flexible Armour


Franco-Brit cuirass

[120rir]

I recall this exact piece (or one remarkably like it) was sold or at least posted on Ebay not too long ago. I found the convenient 1914 date just a little too ideal and the apparent unit mark just too good to be true. My opinion (based on nothing other than a gut feeling) is that this is indeed a well-done fake or "fantasy" piece that never existed in the German military.

[ubisacco]

Indeed. That is also my POV. 1914? No one even knew that there was to be an endless trench warfare. Mobile War should have lasted until Christmas...?
Yes this Piece was offered on eBay: and is now again! I dont remember the buyer, but i remember the first seller. I think its the buyer regretting his mistake and looking to pass it to someone else

Thanks for the Pictures These are exactly the mentioned brithis references with similar manufacture.

St TR ?????? As a Marking near to the date.
Come on, really? Sturmtrupp? in 1914? That Designation was faaaaaar to be used yet.

Thanks for your opinions. I think i needed some ratification of my thougts on this.