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DAY 1: Historic Arms & Armor: Revolutionary America

Sat, Jul 18, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-07-18 11:00:00 2026-07-18 11:00:00 America/New_York Treasure Trove Treasure Trove : DAY 1: Historic Arms & Armor: Revolutionary America https://live.treasuretroveauctions.com/auctions/treasure-trove/day-1-historic-arms-armor-revolutionary-america-23506
Treasure Trove Auctions proudly presents Day 1 of our premier militaria event, featuring an extraordinary selection of historic American arms and relics, including some of the finest documented Revolutionary War material we have encountered, significant Civil War artifacts, American Indian pieces, and frontier-era history. Complementing this remarkable offering is our signature selection of medieval, Renaissance, and antique arms & armor, creating a truly exceptional sale spanning centuries of warfare. Now is your chance to acquire tangible history from all eras of military history!
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Lot 314

Italian Reinforcing Breastplate for Tournament Armor, c.1580, Terenzi Collection

Starting Bid
$5,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$100 $50
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
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$20,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000

We are pleased to offer this fine Italian reinforcing breastplate, circa 1580, a specialized armor component made to be worn over a primary breastplate for additional protection. Reinforcing breastplates were used when a major concentrated impact was expected, particularly in mounted combat or tournament settings where a lance strike could deliver tremendous force. This example measures approximately 39.5 cm in height and is an important piece for advanced collectors seeking a more technical and historically specific element of late 16th-century armor construction.

A reinforcing breastplate is exactly what its name suggests: an additional plate of steel shaped to mirror and strengthen the main breastplate beneath it. In this example, the aperture on the right side would have allowed a lance rest to protrude through the reinforcement. The two holes at the upper left were likely intended for the attachment of an upper haute piece. Buckles would have secured the reinforcing plate to the underlying breastplate, while two further holes may have helped attach or stabilize the wearer in relation to the saddle. Two small holes on the passing side may have served as attachment points for a tasset reinforcement. These construction details are especially useful for understanding how such armor was layered, secured, and adapted for specific forms of combat or tournament use.

Collectors sometimes confuse a true reinforcing breastplate with a standard breastplate, but the distinction is found in the method of attachment. A normal breastplate is made to be worn as the primary torso defense, while a reinforcing breastplate is made to attach over that primary plate. This example clearly belongs to that specialized category, making it a thoughtful and educational addition to a serious armor collection. Its publication history and old collection provenance further strengthen its importance within the field.

This is a refined and technically compelling armor component rather than a purely decorative object. It offers a strong look into the specialized engineering of late Renaissance defensive equipment and would display beautifully alongside a full harness, tournament armor, lance rest, or study collection of European plate armor. We are proud to present it as part of our Day 1 arms and armor selection at Treasure Trove Auctions.

Provenance: Terenzi Collection, Rome. From the private collection of an internationally recognized arms and armor authority, adding strong scholarly and collector significance.

Publication: Published in The Collector’s Course on Medieval Arms and Armor, page 141.

Dimensions: Approximately 39.5 cm in height.

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★ ★ ★
Good - Noticeable wear from age and use but remains structurally sound. Considered average condition for most collectibles and memorabilia. Minor imperfections or signs of handling may be present but do not detract from the overall integrity of the item.


Condition assessed using Treasure Trove Auctions’ proprietary grading scale. While we strive for accuracy, all ratings are subjective and based on our best evaluation as determined by a dedicated team of researchers, from expert appraisers to knowledgeable historians and veteran collectors. Full grading details can be found on our Authentication page for reference. For a more in-depth condition report or additional images, please contact us and we will be more than happy to oblige.

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