Can medieval ARROWS defeat ARMOUR, both medieval and modern?!

Modern History TV2 minutes read

Medieval armor is tested against arrows, with the modern breastplate absorbing the arrow's energy, and ceramic plates proving effective against projectiles. Modern armor, specifically ceramic plates and Kevlar, are assessed against bullets, with ceramic plates containing the round while Kevlar allows it to pass through.

Insights

  • The medieval breastplate failed to stop the arrow, highlighting the limitations of historical armor against powerful projectiles like arrows from a war bow.
  • Modern ceramic plates prove to be highly effective in stopping bullets, showcasing the advancements in materials technology for personal protection gear, preventing fatal injuries by absorbing and containing the impact of high-velocity rounds.

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Recent questions

  • Can a medieval breastplate stop an arrow?

    Yes

  • How effective is modern armor against arrows?

    Very

  • Do arrows cause damage to modern armor?

    No

  • How do rifles impact medieval and modern armor?

    Penetration

  • What happens when a rifle round hits ceramic plates?

    Deformation

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Summary

00:00

Medieval vs. Modern Armor: Arrow Impact Study

  • The armor being tested is a reproduction medieval breastplate from the early 1400s, with layers of mail, linen padding, and meat representing the heart.
  • The expectation is that the arrow will mainly deflect due to the breastplate's shape, but there's a possibility of penetration.
  • The arrow shot from a war bow punches through the breastplate, causing significant damage.
  • The impact creates diamond-shaped holes and a can opener effect, showing the arrow's power.
  • The modern breastplate, made with modern materials, absorbs the arrow's energy, potentially knocking down a person but not causing fatal injuries.
  • The arrows used against the armor show no damage, indicating they could be reused on the battlefield.
  • The challenge shifts to modern armor, specifically ceramic plates and Kevlar, which are tested against a longbow arrow.
  • The ceramic plate successfully stops the arrow, showing its effectiveness against such projectiles.
  • The impact of the arrow on the ceramic plate deforms and breaks it, demonstrating the force it absorbs.
  • The experiment transitions to an indoor shooting range, where modern rifles are tested against both medieval and modern armor to assess their effectiveness.

17:17

Bullet penetration and impact on different materials.

  • The first round, a 5.56 mm, impacted the target, with the lead core passing through but leaving some of the jacket behind, causing flaring and disrupted rings inside the target.
  • A larger round, a .308 Winchester equivalent to 7.62 by 51, also penetrated the target, splitting the steel and shedding some bullet jacket as it passed through, exiting the target cleanly.
  • Comparing the impact on a ceramic plate and Kevlar, the ceramic plate contained the 5.56 mm round within, causing a bulge but preventing the projectile from exiting, while the Kevlar allowed the larger round to pass through, disrupting its function and necessitating replacement.
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