<\/span><\/h2>\nThe armor was largely manufactured from thick pieces of agricultural iron, particularly mouldboards taken from ploughs.<\/p>\n
These heavy pieces of metal were heated and hammered into shape before being assembled into protective sections.<\/p>\n
Kelly\u2019s armor included a cylindrical helmet, chest protection, a back plate and a metal apron covering part of his lower torso.<\/p>\n
The helmet became the most famous part of the design. Its narrow horizontal opening allowed Kelly to see while keeping most of his head protected.<\/p>\n
The finished suit weighed approximately 44 kilograms, or about 97 pounds.<\/p>\n
Walking while carrying that much iron was exhausting, but during a gunfight the protection offered an obvious advantage.<\/p>\n
<\/span>The Glenrowan Siege<\/span><\/h2>\nKelly\u2019s armor became famous during the siege at Glenrowan, Victoria, in June 1880.<\/p>\n
The Kelly gang occupied the Glenrowan Inn and held numerous people inside while preparing for a confrontation with police.<\/p>\n
Part of their plan involved damaging railway tracks so that a train carrying police reinforcements would derail.<\/p>\n
That plan failed.<\/p>\n
A local schoolteacher, Thomas Curnow, managed to leave the hotel and warn the approaching train before it reached the damaged section of railway.<\/p>\n
Police soon surrounded the inn.<\/p>\n
A prolonged gun battle followed.<\/p>\n
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