This is the only known and dated personal armour of emperor Akbar, as supported by an inscription which lies at the collar at the upper end of the rib of this armour. This reads as ‘The personal garment of the emperor of lofty fortune, Akbar. Year A. H. 989 = CE 1581.” Akbar was known to have a choice of khass or a personal arsenal, a fact that is elaborately mentioned in his chronicle. It is noted that Akbar always retained thirty swords as khass and that every day one would be sent to his bed chamber. Akbar often used to gift swords from this collection. He was so conscious about the quality of armour that once, as reported by Abul Fazl, he tested a plated armour for its strength by making it a target but no impression was made on it. Though there are literary references to it, yet none of his ‘khass' or personal arms are known so far except this armour

The cuirass was a common armour during the Mughal period and seems to have been more popular than the coat-of-mail. It consists of two pieces, a breastplate and a back plate. The present breast plate is forged in one piece and was probably moulded to the shape of Akbar's torso. The back plate which was attached on hinges is now missing. The high neck collar, intended to protect the throat is not a common feature in Indian armour.

The helmet is a hemispherical bowl with a spike at the apex. Along the lower border are several perforations for sewing the lining strap and leather to which the camail was sewn. The helmet is decorated with very fine and delicate gold damascening along the vertical axis and also on the spike. The two arm guards also have decoration in koftgari along the edges.

The breastplate has a decoration along the sides and on the lower rim. In the centre on either side of the rib are incised verses from the Koran in fine Nastaliq script. Near the collar at the upper end of the rib is another inscription.

The quality of the steel, the high water mark and the distinct damascened work indicate that the armour was manufactured with great care. The Ain-i-Akbari mentions that Akbar personally inspected the manufacture of arms and armour. The attention to fine details, the strength and the decoration that is seen on this piece is an evidence of the high level of workmanship in weaponry manufacturing in the Mughal times.