Defensive Weapons
Defensive weapons are devices used to partially or completely cover the body to protect against the effects of offensive weapons; essentially, helmets, armour, and shields. Given the effectiveness of modern firearms, modern military clothing has almost entirely dispensed with defensive weapons; only the helmet and the cuirass (not worn on campaign by the [early 20th century] German army) are remnants of defensive weaponry, along with the flak jacket, introduced in the 1960s.
Source: Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon, 6. Auflage 1905–1909