Buff leather jerkin, 1640 (c)

This jerkin was worn by a harquebusier (light cavalryman) of the Civil War period. Sometimes it might be covered by back and breastplate armour to provide extra protection. Some troopers would also wear a leather bandolier over a shoulder, while others replaced the bandolier with a belt pouch. Horsemen would also wear tall leather riding boots. A leather jerkin like this was expensive, but it was lighter and more comfortable to wear than armour, and was good at stopping sword cuts.