High Quality Replica German WWI Sappenpanzer Trench Body Armor

High Quality Replica: Only One Available. This is a high quality lightweight replica of the German WWI Sappenpanzer Trench Armor, deployed early in the war as protection for soldiers in the trenches. These are also sometimes called "machine gunner's armor" as they were often seen being worn by the gunner of a machine gun squad. This replica is in great shape, showing some great wear that makes it look almost like the real thing!

This First World War period German Army armored breastplate of the type initially issued to front line troops in 1916. The complete equipment weighed between 20lbs and 24lbs (9kg and 11kg), reflecting the two variant sizes produced; 500,000 sets were issued to men on the Western Front. Capable of stopping low velocity fragments and shrapnel, the Sappenpanzer (trench armor) was, due to its weight, only practical for troops on sentry duty and machine gunners operating in static positions and was designed to be used together with the armored brow plate that hooked on to the steel helmet.

The body armor is a good reproduction and is stamped into the metal by the right breast:

5.G.R.2.M.G.K.11.
HESSEN

This was likely stamped by a re-enactor wearing this armor, and appears to denote a Hessian Machine Gun Company. The back of the armor is a much brighter color, but it displays fine from the front. There is heavy scuffing across, but this set will look good as a placeholder in any WWI collection.