Gomel Slavic lamellar torso armor for buhurt

Gomel Slavic lamellar torso armor is a buhurt / full contact body defense piece built with reference to historical sources and analogs. The concept follows a 13th-century Old Russian miniature; the plate set and geometry are oriented to types found during excavations of a medieval armory area near Gomel (present-day Belarus).

Protection and durability. The torso is assembled with triple plate overlap, spreading impact over multiple layers and reducing weak seams. A practical combat feature is covered lacing: cords are shielded by the plates themselves, which lowers the chance of cuts, snags, and abrasion during tight work.

Mobility. Lamellar segmentation supports torso flex and clinch movement compared to rigid cuirass patterns. Fit relies on a stable torso geometry and proper sizing rather than “custom made for every individual by default”.

Fitting and maintenance. Lamellar is service-friendly: cords and knots can be replaced on schedule, and individual lamellae can be swapped if damaged. For season longevity, keep edges smooth, monitor rivets/fasteners, and maintain correct lace tension together with a suitable gambeson.

Event inspections. The construction approach (covered lacing, secure overlap, controlled edges) aligns with common safety/robustness checks used across full contact events (including formats such as HMB and other leagues). Final approval is always at the discretion of the event marshals and depends on the full kit condition.