T-31 Prototype Abdomen, Groin, and Thigh Armor

Armorer Leonard Heinrich German
Designer Stephen V. Grancsay American
1944
Not on view
Comprised of eight steel plates, unpolished and rough from the hammer, covering the lower abdomen, crotch, and top of the front of the right thigh. The plates consist of hour horizontal lames, a shaped lame at the base of the crotch, and three plates over the upper thigh. The plates are joined by rivets. Additionally, there are two vertically placed internal canvas straps: one running down the center of the abdomen and the other in the center of the thigh area. There is a canvas strap and buckle at the base of the lower thigh lame for a strap that would encircle the thigh. There are three equally spaced holes in the center lame from the top. Each hole is lined on the inside with a grommet.

A cloth tag attached to the top of the canvas strap is labelled in pencil: "Abdomen, groin + thigh defense/ T-31/ developed by Mr. Grancsay of Met Art Museum/ 6-24-44." A paper tag attached to the buckle at the base of the thigh reads: "GROIN/ ENGINEERS," The armor was probably made by Leonard Heinrich in the Armor Shop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art under the direction of Stephen V. Granscay. See the related knee defense and greave, T-29, apparently made to be worn with this armor.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: T-31 Prototype Abdomen, Groin, and Thigh Armor
  • Armorer: Leonard Heinrich (American (born Germany) Munich 1900–1966 Clarksville, New Jersey)
  • Designer: Stephen V. Grancsay (American, Brooklyn 1897–1980 New York)
  • Armorer: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Armor Workshop
  • Date: 1944
  • Geography: New York, New York
  • Culture: American, New York
  • Medium: Steel, textile, metal alloy
  • Dimensions: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm); W. 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm); D. 9 in. (22.9 cm)
  • Classification: Armor Parts
  • Credit Line: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1944; Museum Accession, 2016
  • Object Number: 2016.627.1
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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