RomanArmyTalk

Hello
One question to you. Is a third century breast plate only on scale armor or also on chainmails :?: I would like to make me one, but I have "just" a chainmail. Thank you for your help

Quote:Is a third century breast plate only on scale armor or also on chainmails :?: I would like to make me one, but I have "just" a chainmail.

The evidence suggests that breastplates were used with both mail and scale. However, it is also a strong likelihood that backplates were used too, although these were a different shape to the breastplates (just as breast- and backplates on Newstead lorica segmentata differ). Whether all mail or scale used a plate fastening system in the later period is a moot point and one that would be difficult to prove either way. Given the longevity of mail if cared for, I suspect there would always have been mail cuirasses without breast- or backplates.

Here are the two types of plate taken from B&C2.



Mike Bishop

"Given the longevity of mail if cared for, I suspect there would always have been mail cuirasses without breast- or backplates."

The well preserved mail shirt from South Shields would be a case in point, I would have thought.

Crispvs

thanks for your replay. they where very helpfull for me

Ahhh, that type of breast plate....thats interesting info indeed!

Quote:it is also a strong likelihood that backplates were used too, although these were a different shape to the breastplates (just as breast- and backplates on Newstead lorica segmentata differ).

Mike,

Thanks Mike- a front and back breastplate is new to me. The drawing seems to indicate a single backplate (?) - or would the most likely set up be double as on the front breastplate?

Cheers

Paul

Paul,

the "backplate" (Junkelmann wright in his book "Reiter wie Statuen aus Erz" this singleplate could be a frontplate for "Kimmerische Gewänder", a textile cuirass) is just a single piece.

Martin

Thanks- and does anyone have any tips on how to recreate one of these?

In fact the right plate is that of the Bertoldsheim chain mail, it consists of one large plate (left) and a very narrow one (right)