A 17th century north Italian suit of cuirassier armour has sold for £1m ($1.3m) at Sotheby’s.

The armour has been tested against musket and pistol fire 

That’s double its £500,000 ($646,300) estimate.

Northern Italy (and Milan in particular) was known for producing some of the best armour in Europe during the renaissance period.

This piece was worn by a cuirassier, a mounted cavalryman, who would have been armed with flintlock pistols and a sword.

The front and back show signs of musket and pistol shot, likely during tests on the armour's strength.  

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