Quote Originally Posted by Matthew View Post
Dude carrying the axe has one bare hand as well. Very interesting illustration. Still, I think the general conclusion stands that gloves make it potentially harder to manipulate weaponry. I would be interested in any examples of armoured gauntlets that did not interfere with manual dexterity, though.
Matchlock arquebusiers and musketeers were specifically directed to not wear gloves -- they didn't want to be fumbling the match. Strangely reenactors are often instructed to wear gloves, so as not to burn their fingers! I don't use gloves with my matchlock, but it's hard for me to find gloves that fit properly.