Buff coat

Buff coat

The Buff coat (so-called because of its yellowish color) was an item of leather clothing worn by both the infantry and cavalry during the 17th century, usually worn under armour. [http://www.vanessatreasure.co.uk/boutique/17th_century_costume/leather_buff.htm] It evolved from the leather jerkins worn by soldiers during the Tudor period [http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/BUA_BUI.htm] to a 3/4 length, close-fitting garment. [http://onlinedictionary.datasegment.com/word/buff+coat]

It was made of 3mm-thick suede cowhide and provided protection against swords, [A Complete Dictionary of Dry Goods by George S. Cole, 1892] blunt trauma and possibly long range pistol balls, [http://chestofbooks.com/reference/Dictionary-of-Dry-Goods/Buff-Coat.html] however as with all armour of the time it was ineffective against musket fire. [ [http://www.exeter.gov.uk/timetrail/09_civilwar/object_detail.asp?photoref=buff_coat Buff coat] ]

Together with the lobster pot helmet and cuirass it formed the basis of the equipment of the New Model Army's Ironside cavalry of the English Civil War. Cavaliers wore similar buff-coats, either privately purchased and decorated with gold lace, or captured from fallen enemies. [http://www.englishcivilwar.com/About/Uniform/About_Uni_Officer.html] Both sides issued a sleeveless version to the musketeers in the pike and shot formations to give them some protection during hand-to-hand combat.

Buff coats were also worn by civilians, including some of the Pilgrim Fathers due to its plain and simple appearance suggesting equality. It was lined with cotton for warmth and fastened with hooks and eyes as the Puritans viewed buttons as extravagent and vain. [https://safe.britannica.com/registration/freeTrial.do?partnerCode=EBO_DWFLOATINGDIV]

As well as protecting the wearer from bad weather the buff coat became a highly desirable status symbol in the mid 17th century, making it the ancestor of the modern leather jacket. [http://books.google.com/books?id=tPV5HVVHB-0C&pg=PA84&lpg=PA84&dq=buff+coat&source=web&ots=whJ36B7Mfe&sig=ZlrQsia6N0h3l-Rs1KT59XzZ8kU&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result]

ee also

*Gambeson

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Buff coat — Buff Buff, a. 1. Made of buff leather. Goldsmith. [1913 Webster] 2. Of the color of buff. [1913 Webster] {Buff coat}, a close, military outer garment, with short sleeves, and laced tightly over the chest, made of buffalo skin, or other thick and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • buff-coat — buffˈ coat or buffˈ jerkin noun 1. A strong, military coat 2. A soldier • • • Main Entry: ↑buff …   Useful english dictionary

  • buff|coat — «BUHF KOHT», noun. 1. a thick coat of buff, worn in the 1600 s especially by soldiers. 2. a person who wears a buffcoat; soldier …   Useful english dictionary

  • Buff-coat — a heavy coat of buff leather, used a pikeman and gunner’s armour in the Renaissance, alone or under a breastplate. Buff coats were also often worn as light protection when dueling with rapiers or swords …   Medieval glossary

  • buff coat — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Buff — Buff, a. 1. Made of buff leather. Goldsmith. [1913 Webster] 2. Of the color of buff. [1913 Webster] {Buff coat}, a close, military outer garment, with short sleeves, and laced tightly over the chest, made of buffalo skin, or other thick and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Buff jerkin — Buff Buff, a. 1. Made of buff leather. Goldsmith. [1913 Webster] 2. Of the color of buff. [1913 Webster] {Buff coat}, a close, military outer garment, with short sleeves, and laced tightly over the chest, made of buffalo skin, or other thick and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Buff stick — Buff Buff, a. 1. Made of buff leather. Goldsmith. [1913 Webster] 2. Of the color of buff. [1913 Webster] {Buff coat}, a close, military outer garment, with short sleeves, and laced tightly over the chest, made of buffalo skin, or other thick and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Buff — may refer to:* Buff (colour) * Buff (computer gaming), a temporary beneficial effect in some games * Buff (headgear) * Buff (superheroine), a Marvel Comics character * BUFF (Malmö Film Festival) * Buffing, the process of smoothing and polishing… …   Wikipedia

  • buff-jerkin — buffˈ coat or buffˈ jerkin noun 1. A strong, military coat 2. A soldier • • • Main Entry: ↑buff …   Useful english dictionary

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