Vambraces (French: avant-bras, Polish: karwasz, sometimes known as lower cannons in the Middle Ages) or forearm guards are "tubular" or "gutter" defences for the forearm worn as part of a suit of plate armour. Vambraces may be worn with or without separate couters in a full suit of medieval armour. The term originates in the early 14th century. They were made from either leather or steel. Leather vambraces were sometimes reinforced with longitudinal strips of hardened hide or metal creating "splinted armour".
Vambraces formed an integral part of the Great Steppe, Central Asian, and Islamic warrior armour. Vambraces remained in use long after the high mark of Renaissance armour in Europe. They were worn in Poland until 1770s, in the Caucasus region until the second half of the 19th century, and in Asia at least until the mid-19th century in Persia and the Indian subcontinent., where it may be known as a bazuband.
Bracer, armguard used by archers, & Manica, armguard of the ancient Romans.
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| Metal vambrace with integrated elbow and upper arm protection(reenactment)[1] | |
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