Byzantine lamellar blackened: protection and mobility
Byzantine lamellar torso armor for full-contact historical combat (buhurt) and training, made with reference to historical sources and visual analogs of Byzantine armor. The core is a multi-row lamellar assembly: small plates are laced into rows and joined into a flexible, impact-capable shell.
Each plate has a central dome/ridge that increases stiffness and helps the element carry localized удар loads with less deformation. This matters in clinch work and close-range exchanges where repeated impacts tend to “work” the same zones.
The plates feature a blackened/oxidized surface. It improves resistance to everyday moisture and sweat exposure, but routine care still applies: dry after use, lightly oil if needed, and inspect lacing/straps on a schedule.
Mobility comes from segmentation: lamellar follows torso rotation and forward lean more naturally than one-piece plate solutions. Fit is managed by lacing and strap adjustments, giving a practical range to tune the armor over different gambeson thicknesses without forcing “custom-to-one-person” claims.
Serviceability: the most common wear items are laces and straps; individual plates can be replaced or a damaged section re-laced without rebuilding the entire cuirass.
About tournament checks: the design is compatible with common heavy combat rule sets (e.g., HMB, IMCF, ACL and similar formats), but final acceptance depends on the specific event requirements, padding setup, and inspection results.
Option: leather color can be chosen to match your kit.