1720 Gambeson

The gambeson (or ‘arming jacket’) was designed to help shield the body from weapon blows. While a straight thrust will still cut through the jacket, glancing and side blows are more likely to bruise instead of slash through. Early gambesons were stuffed with hair – usually horse, goat, pony or oxen – or scrap material. They were sewn in a quilted pattern to keep the stuffing in pockets evenly distributed over the body instead of sliding and gathering at the bottom of the
jacket.

Gambesons are both worn on their own as well as underneath armor, either chain mail or plate.