Yearly, i do historical reenactment as a regiment of 17th century Danish musketeers. This year, one of my fellow reenactors decided to buy himself a brown, leather buffcoat, appealing to me that it had provable historical uses with the infantry. It ended up being word against word (we both found examples showing both limited use, as well as no use at all), and i would like to know if anyone has encountered something that could help clearing this up? The only solid info i could find, was the use of leather buffcoats with the periodical cavalry, as it provided som cheap protection against slashes, as well as cushioning for cuirasses. I admitted to proof of limited use (especially in England during the civil war), but could find no picturing or textual references to infantry buffcoats in Scandinavia.
This is my first question, be gentle.
Swedish infantry used moose, goat or deer leather buffcoats (kyller), long vests (kamisol) and short pants (knäbyxor) both during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Before the carolean army raised by Karl XI received new uniforms and standardised equipment 1687, uniforms and equipment were rarely standard, especially as the Swedish army made extensive use of mercenaries during this time. However, from what I can find, some regiments of foot wore long vests (kamisol) of moose leather while the NCOs wore buff coats (kyller). As you say yourself, the cavalry wore full buff coats (kyller) as early as the 1620s.
However, the Swedish troops wore these under their coloured coats, so they are usually not described nor depicted.
I cannot say for Scandinavia, but buff-coats were issued to royalist billmen in the English Civil War.