Alan Morgan wroteUnusual interlaced outer armour.
I first thought the crenelated outer plates were added post production but the numbers stamped on top edge go over the outer plate.
Can’t believe the rough finish
Anyone shed any light on this please?
Alan, in the mid 1850’s this method of joining the body plates was not uncommon if the need for heavier plates was desirable either to give resistance against physical dismemberment or to create a stronger structure for fire resistance and masonry collapse which after all was the original intention of the word ‘safe’.
Chatwood also used this method from the 1860’s by machine dovetailing which gave a much stronger union but without the obvious plenished finish on the surface.
This is an early Whitfield. It has always been an accepted fact that body plates of ¼'' or more cannot be ripped by hand tools.
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