Chinese ''Paper'' Armor

By Crusader1307

Dating to the 9^th Century AD and The Zhou Dynasty, ''Paper'' Armor was seen as a cost effective method of protecting Medieval Chinese Armies. The term ''Paper'' Armor is somewhat of a misnomer however. Layers of Silk was cut into small squares and connected by silk thread. After as many as 100 squares were fashioned into a Plate, the entire affair was tailored into a type of Gambeson or Buff Coat, as would be seen in Medieval Europe. The ''Paper'' Armor was worn under Lamellar or Plate Armor as a type of Mail. Another way to ''reinforce'' Paper Armor was to wet it with water. Although somewhat heavy,, it was resistant to slashes and could absorbed a moderate Spear thrust. Examples of Paper Armor for Combat survived into the 19^th Century AD. Amazingly, this Armor could withstand some far range musket ball shot as well as Bayonet thrusts.