"Instant antique for stainless-steel warriors!"

[Marius_Ursus]

Well, I suppose if you're thinking of chromed armor, then I'd agree with you, that no, it's not terribly authentic. My gladius never had that look, though...neither did my lorica. Then again, my kit was constructed using plain old steel. It was neither antiqued, nor mirror-polished. It looked used but in very good condition, pretty much the same way I kept my gear when I was in the Army.

I thought LEG IX was based in San Diego. At least it was when I got my SPQR LEG IX HSPA tattoo...

Has an auxiliary group taken root there since I moved away?