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Greek art typically shows the scabbard on the left side, suspended by a baldric hanging from the right shoulder. Practical experience has shown me that if the sword fits loosely in the scabbard, it can be drawn straight out if one hits a kind of "sweet spot" where everything is lined up just right. If the draw is a little off from the "sweet spot"--or the sword has a snug fit instead of a loose fit--the sword can hang up during the draw.
Is the art that shows what appears to be nothing more than a baldric perhaps using a kind of shorthand that omits auxilliary suspension tack?
Manny Garcia
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I'm not sure i have understood what you said,but the concept of greek baldrics and the position of the sword is this one: The Sword not only hungs in an angle because it is suspended always from the upper side of the scabard,but it also hungs very high. Look how high under the arm is the sword of Alexander. In the other vase,the baldrics may seem loose,but if you compare the position of the scabards with the thights,for instance,you'll realize how high they hung. What does this mean? That practically such short baldrics cannot be loose. Why are they so high? Because it is very probable that the hoplite used his left elbow to secure the scabard on his body and draw the sword. This can be done even while carrying a shield. The suspention on the one side of the scabbard about an inch under the scabbard throat makes sure that the grip will be in the correct position and angle to reach it even when pressed on your shield during battle.
Khaire
Giannis
Giannis K. Hoplite
a.k.a.:Giannis Kadoglou
a.k.a.:Thorax
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Could the appearance of slack be the artist's way of showing the rapid motion that would be normal for quick motions in combat? Could it be an attempt at showing the curved surface of the warriors' bodies?
I can't think of a way that a weight on a loop could be slack. Seems like gravity would always bring the line up taut at the bottom of the loop, unless the combatants were in outer space... :lol:
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
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My guess would be a small loop that captured the ring that was held firmly to the scabbard. Not movable. If there were some adjustable mechanism for the strap, it would not be at the ring, as nothing of the kind shows in the pictorial below. Since a sword was an individual item, it seems like the strap would be made the "right length" and not need adjustment.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.