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The kuyak is armor made of metal plates
(usually round, but possibly rectangular) not connected to each other by rings
as 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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