06-19-2007, 05:28 AM
OK, mid way through making my seg I am vexed by this question. I have a submarilis with padded shoulders, which according to Mike Bishop (in his Lorica Segmentata Handbook Vol 1) will make the breastplates meet vertically as opposed to diagonally crossing. Apparently if the breastplates are crossing this indicates a poor fit, a lack of shoulder padding, or both. Looking at lots of pictures of reenactors segs both scenarios are well represented. Looking at the Corbridge hoard excavation report some of the breastplate fittings look like they are less than paralell to the edge of the breastplate perhaps indicating that the plates crossed diagonally rather than in a perfect straight line. Speaking with the metal master Matt Lukes he is firmly of the opinion that the plates should cross diagonally, even taking account of the padding to the shoulders, which attempts to counter the natural slope of the shoulders (I think).
Looking at the way the mid collar plate is shaped and the way the top back plate is shaped where it joins the collar plate it does look as though the breastplates should cross diagonally. To make the breastplates meet vertically it almost seems as though a "twist" in the mid collar plate is required.
Any thoughts anyone?
Looking at the way the mid collar plate is shaped and the way the top back plate is shaped where it joins the collar plate it does look as though the breastplates should cross diagonally. To make the breastplates meet vertically it almost seems as though a "twist" in the mid collar plate is required.
Any thoughts anyone?
Sulla Felix
AKA Barry Coomber
Moderator
COH I BATAVORVM MCRPF
AKA Barry Coomber
Moderator
COH I BATAVORVM MCRPF