Spaulders

Spaulders are pieces of armour in a harness of plate armour. Typically, they are a single plate of steel or iron covering the shoulder with bands (lames) joined by straps of leather or rivets.

Description
Developed during the Middle Ages, the use of spaulders declined during the 15th century due to the evolution of pauldrons. Unlike pauldrons, spaulders do not cover the arm pits. Instead, the gaps may be covered by besagews or simply left bare, exposing the mail beneath.

Modern use
Though the use of spaulders has declined, various craftsmen and machine shops still exist which can craft a pair of spaulders for use in a museum or in simulated combat during reenactments.

Additionally, the Iraq War saw the introduction of a modern day version of the spaulder, in the form of the "Deltoid Axillary Protector" add-on to the Interceptor body armour worn by US soldiers.