Not going to be terribly deatailed, as I'm by no means an expert on Chinese equipment (learning) - but I know that pirates of the time wore what looks lots like a European gambeson, but which was made of paper and (?)cotton.
I also know that a type of lamellar armour was widely used in china that was made of laquered rhino hide (the particular species of rhino was made extinct by it's use - today I suppose you'd have to use leather or something similar). They also used laquered rawhide - but i forget the date on that one. (sorry - warned you I'd be a bit vague). other thing is - have you tried contacting the royal armouries museum at leeds - they have some chines armour on display, and there's a good chance they'll have lots more in the reserve collection (they do with every other department!). They've been very helpful whenever I've been to see them (I'm sure they'd be as helpful by e-mail / letter). Debbie _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
