Gauntlets
Gauntlet is a name for several different styles of glove, particularly those with an extended cuff covering part of the forearm. Gauntlets exist in many forms, ranging from flexible fabric and leather gloves, to mail and fully articulated plate armour.
Showing all 13 results
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Hourglass Gauntlets, 16-Gauge, Pair
SKU: AH6343Hourglass gauntlets take their name from their distinctive shape: a cuff that narrows sharply at the wrist before flaring open toward the forearm, giving each gauntlet a silhouette like the sand-timer it’s named for. This 16-gauge steel version offers solid, durable construction suited to regular re-enactment use. First appearing as mail gloves gave way to shaped steel plates, this style remained popular for more than fifty years across the medieval period.
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Hourglass gauntlets take their name from their distinctive shape: a cuff that narrows sharply at the wrist before flaring open toward the forearm, giving each gauntlet a silhouette like the sand-timer it’s named for. This 16-gauge steel version offers a heavier, more robust build than lighter alternatives, suited to wearers prioritising durability. First appearing as mail gloves gave way to shaped steel plates through the 14th century, this style remained popular for more than fifty years.
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14th Century Hourglass Gauntlet, Pair
SKU: AH6324Hourglass gauntlets take their name from their distinctive shape: a cuff that narrows sharply at the wrist before flaring open toward the forearm, giving each gauntlet a silhouette like the sand-timer it’s named for. First appearing as mail gloves gave way to shaped steel plates through the 14th century, this style remained in circulation until the late 15th century, when narrower cuff designs began to replace the flared opening. This reproduction recreates that early plate hand armour form as a matched pair.
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SS-Style Gauntlets, Glove-Lined, Pair
SKU: AH6928This pair of fingered gauntlets is fitted with a full glove lining, giving a comfortable inner layer distinct from gauntlets that sit directly against bare skin. Unlike some fully plated designs, these leave the fingertips free of metal, favouring dexterity for tasks needing a fine, direct touch. A practical option for wearers prioritising comfort and hand sensitivity over maximum finger coverage.
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Churburg Hourglass Gauntlets, Pair
SKU: AH6086GHourglass gauntlets take their name from their distinctive shape: a cuff that narrows sharply at the wrist before flaring open toward the forearm, giving each gauntlet a silhouette like the sand-timer it’s named for. This style dates from the second half of the 14th century and remained popular for more than fifty years, appearing among the pieces preserved in the famous Churburg Castle collection. Hand-crafted in thick steel with brass trim and brass knuckles, this pair is fitted with an integrated suede leather glove stitched to protective leather pads riveted inside for genuine wearable comfort.
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Chainmail Gauntlets, Pair
SKU: AH6175/A054Before plate hand armour developed, mail gloves offered the earliest widespread form of dedicated hand protection, extending the coverage of a mail hauberk down over the fingers. Woven from interlinked metal rings, mail gauntlets flexed naturally with the hand, offering good defence against cuts while sacrificing some protection against crushing blows compared to solid plate. This reproduction recreates that early mail hand protection as a matched pair, suited to an early-period or lightly armoured impression.
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Leather Gauntlets, Suede
SKU: AH6172Not every medieval fighter or worker relied on plate hand protection — sturdy leather gloves offered a simpler, lighter alternative for a wide range of everyday and combat uses. Made from high-quality suede, these gloves are built for durability, standing up to repeated wear while remaining comfortable enough for extended use. They suit wearers building a lightly armoured impression, or looking for practical hand protection to wear underneath a full metal gauntlet.
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Mitten Gauntlets, Pair
SKU: AH6029Mitten-style gauntlets enclose all four fingers together within a single armoured compartment, trading individual finger movement for maximum protection and impact resistance. This design leaves the interior free enough for genuine weapon control while raised knuckles double as a striking surface for unarmed fighting. Historically popular among infantry using polearms and heavy weapons, this pair can also be worn over a thick leather glove for extra comfort.
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The manifer, from the French main de fer, or “iron hand,” was a heavily reinforced gauntlet worn on the left hand during the joust, the hand that held the reins rather than the lance. Because jousters rode with their left side facing the barrier and their opponent, that side of the body, including the bridle hand, needed extra protection against a direct lance strike. Carefully designed to combine solid protection with real hand movement, the manifer let a rider maintain fine control of the reins even under its reinforced plate.
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Medieval Half Gauntlets, Pair
SKU: AH6905Half gauntlets cover the back of the hand and wrist while leaving the fingers and palm free, trading some coverage for greater dexterity and comfort during extended wear. This lighter approach to hand protection suited wearers who needed to retain fine finger control for extended periods, such as archers or those handling delicate tasks between bouts of combat. Fully wearable, this pair recreates that practical, lightweight form of hand armour.
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Medieval Gauntlets, Classic Pattern, Pair
SKU: AH6024NGauntlets protected the hand and wrist, a part of the body left otherwise exposed even under a full cuirass and helmet, and were considered essential kit for any properly armoured medieval fighter. This pair offers an alternative cut to our standard-pattern gauntlets, for wearers or collectors seeking a distinct piece within the same classic medieval form. Fully wearable, they suit both re-enactment combat and general costume dressing.
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Medieval Gauntlets, Standard Pattern, Pair
SKU: AH6020NGauntlets protected the hand and wrist, a part of the body left otherwise exposed even under a full cuirass and helmet, and were considered essential kit for any properly armoured medieval fighter. This pair follows the standard medieval gauntlet form, balancing solid protection with enough hand movement for weapon use. Fully wearable, they suit both re-enactment combat and general costume dressing.
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Gothic Gauntlets, Fingered, Pair
SKU: AH6023NBy the 15th century, articulated fingered gauntlets had matured into a genuine feat of armouring, with individually plated fingers that gave a knight real dexterity without sacrificing protection. Gothic-style gauntlets carried the lightly fluted, ridged surface treatment typical of German 15th-century armour, extending the harness’s visual language down to the hands. This pair recreates that fingered construction, offering a close, articulated fit suited to gripping a sword, lance, or reins.
