Discussion: A reinforcing breastplate is exactly as named. It’s an additional plate of steel mirroring the breastplate put over the breastplate for reinforcement against an expected major strike like a lance charge on horseback. In this example a lance rest would protrude through the aperture on the right.  The two holes on the top left are for an upper haute piece.  Buckles were used to attach to the breastplate.  Two holes possibly to attach the the wearer to the saddle.  There are two small holes on the passing side that were perhaps an attachment for a tastes reinforcement. At times some collectors can have difficulty differentiating between a breastplate and a reinforcing breastplate. The solution is actually quite simple. Look at the way it attaches. A reinforcing breastplate is designed to attach to the breastplate.

Provenance: Terenzi Collection, Rome. Height: 39.5 cm.

Publication: The Collector’s Course On Medieval Arms and Armor page 141.