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A sample of the kuyak is shown here.
Armor made of metal plates (usually round, but possibly rectangular) not
connected to each other by rings as in a kalantar, but fixed, each
separately, to the leather or cloth base, was called a
"kuyak". The 'kuyak' was therefor different from the
much earlier type of armor in which the individual metal plates were attached
to each other by thongs or rivets. Kuyaki were manufactured with or
without sleeves. They could have flaps, like a caftan. The kuyak was
frequently worn over the kol'chuga. Kuyaki could be strengthened
on the breast and back by large armor plates "shields". This type of
armor existed in Russia from the 13th to the 17th century and had close analogs
in the West called a brigantine, but the brigantine had the metal plates inside
(under) the leather coat. The termkuyak itself, from Turkic term,
appeared only in the 16th century. It was frequently lined along the edges at
armpit, neck and waist with fur lining to preserve body heat. The Chinese had a
similar type of armor.
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