Armor Type:  Glove armor

Brief Description:  A medieval gauntlet is designed to protect the hands and wrists during hand-to-hand combat. It typically consists of a comfortable leather or fabric glove foundation overlaid with overlapping steel plates (lames). These plates articulate seamlessly to allow fighters to grip weapons, block strikes, and retain hand mobility. Gauntlets were critical defensive gear for knights and soldiers, and designs evolved drastically throughout the medieval period.

Here are the most common historical types:

Hourglass Gauntlets: Common in the 14th century, these are characterized by individual metal plates for the fingers and a flared, wide metal cuff at the wrist for excellent maneuverability.

Fingered Gauntlets: These provided the highest level of dexterity. Each finger was covered by a series of small, overlapping metal scales or plates, allowing for precise sword handling.

Mitten Gauntlets: Preferred by infantry and sometimes heavily armored knights, these enclosed all four fingers together in a single, solid metal compartment. While they sacrificed fine finger control, they offered superior blunt-force protection.

Gothic/Maximilian Gauntlets: Emerging during the late 15th and early 16th centuries, these styles featured fluted metalwork, which structurally strengthened the steel while making the armor lighter and highly decorated.