World War 1 and 2 Armor

Steel helmet covered with a built-on chain screen to protect a soldier’s eyes from rocks, shells and other fragments during World War I

The Brewster Body Shield or Brewster Body Armor was the first effective body armor developed for the United States Army in World War I

Italian Trench Raider - Trench raiding was very similar to medieval warfare as it was fought face-to-face with crude weaponry. Trench raiders were lightly equipped for stealthy, unimpeded movement. Typically, raiding parties were armed with deadly homemade trench raiding clubs, bayonets, entrenching tools, trench knives, hatchets, pickaxe handles and brass knuckles. The choice of weaponry was deliberate: the raiders' intention was to kill or capture people quietly, without drawing attention to their activities

Russian breast plate armor used in WW2

A German member of a “Trench Attack Squad” poses in steel body armor and two stick grenades. The armor, capable of stopping a pistol round but only superficially helpful against rifle fire, also helped protecting against bayonet and other edged weapons thrusts. The additional weight though fatigued the wearer quickly and defeated any tactical advantage he might have wearing it.

American soldier trying on captured German body armor.

This is Brewster Body armor developed by the American Army late in the war. Whilst it was very clumsy, heavy and didn’t allow for a soldier to move their head, it could withstand the bullets from a Lewis Gun.

World War I personal armor, including steel cap, steel plate vest, steel gauntlet/dagger and French splinter goggles.

Sniper body armor found in a German Dug Out

WW1; Mask of a German sniper

WW1 chain mail face mask worn by a French Tank gunner.

The Brewster Body Shield or Brewster Body Armor was the first effective body armor developed for the United States Army in World War I

Exhibiting pock marks and bullet holes, three members of the Ordnance Department demonstrate the effects of pistol, rifle and machine gun fire upon body armor, during testing at Fort de la Peigney, Langres, France. 1918.