WW1 German 1st Pattern 1917 Body Armour
The armour consists of a breast plate with riveted on shoulder straps and three lower laminar plates held on with canvas straps and hessian pads.
This body armour was made to protect their soldiers from incoming fire and shrapnel on the front line, the German Army developed armour to provide greater protection. The armour had an articulated design and consisted of a single main chest plate with three smaller articulated plates beneath it for flexibility. The armour was designed to fit over a soldier’s uniform and provide protection to the chest, abdomen and groin.
Although the armour provided additional protection, it was too heavy to be used by assault units and had mainly been used by machine gunners and snipers. Nevertheless, the German Army issued nearly half a million vests to its soldiers during the war.
Item is decorated to the front with Bapaume 1917 and the German Iron Cross.
Large heavy item so postage will have to be paid for.
