Goblin-Made Armour

• Type: Magical Armour
• Owners: Various Wizards; however, Goblins consider the maker to be the true owner of any goblin-wrought object.
• Maker: Goblin silversmiths.

Goblin-made armour is any piece of protective wear forged by Goblins. It is renowned for its exceptional quality, durability, and enchanted properties. While no complete suit is described in detail, individual pieces and the general characteristics of goblin metalwork are noted. Bill Weasley points out a goblin-made silver helmet on display at Gringotts, suggesting that silver is a primary material. Based on the most famous piece of goblin metalwork, the Sword of Gryffindor, it can be inferred that such armour would be exquisitely crafted and potentially adorned with precious gems. Goblin-made items are also enchanted to repel dirt and grime, meaning they never require cleaning.

The single most important magical property of goblin-made metalwork, including armour, is its ability to imbibe substances or properties that strengthen it. As explained by the Goblin Griphook, goblin-forged silver “imbibes only that which strengthens it.” This unique quality means that goblin-made armour would become more powerful over time. For instance, if a shield successfully repelled a powerful curse, it might absorb some of that spell's magical resistance, making it even more effective in the future. The primary example of this property in action is the Sword of Gryffindor. After Harry Potter used it to kill the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, the blade absorbed the Basilisk's potent venom. This imbued the sword with the ability to destroy Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes, a property it did not originally possess. This same principle would apply to goblin-made armour, making it one of the most valuable forms of magical protection a Wizard could possess.

Goblins are exceptionally skilled metallurgists and silversmiths, and their work has been coveted by Wizards for centuries. However, the history of these items is fraught with cultural conflict stemming from a fundamental disagreement over the concept of ownership. According to goblin culture, the true and only owner of a goblin-made object is its maker. When a Wizard “buys” a piece of goblin-made armour, Goblins consider this to be a form of long-term rental, with the expectation that the item will be returned to the maker's descendants upon the purchaser's death. Wizards, on the other hand, believe in the principle of permanent sale and the right to pass down possessions through their own family line. This deep-seated philosophical difference has been the source of centuries of bitterness, rebellion, and misunderstanding between the two races. The history of the Sword of Gryffindor, which Goblins claim was stolen from its maker, Ragnuk the First, by Godric Gryffindor, is the most famous example of this ongoing dispute.

The concept of goblin-made armour and metalwork is crucial to the plot of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The unique property of imbibing strength is what transforms the Sword of Gryffindor into a weapon capable of destroying Horcruxes. Understanding this principle, which Hermione Granger reads about in A History of Magic and has confirmed by Griphook, provides the trio with one of their few reliable methods for fighting Lord Voldemort. Furthermore, the goblin view of ownership becomes a central plot device. The trio's need for the sword, combined with Griphook's desire to reclaim it as goblin property, leads to their uneasy alliance to break into the Lestrange Vault at Gringotts. Griphook's eventual betrayal, where he seizes the sword in the midst of their escape, is a direct consequence of this historical and cultural conflict, demonstrating the deep chasm between Wizard and Goblin societies.

While goblin-made armour is mentioned, the Sword of Gryffindor remains the only piece of goblin metalwork that is featured prominently throughout the series and in the film adaptations. The design of the sword in the films reflects the description of fine goblin craftsmanship, being both elegant and formidable. (film)