Dura Europos - Horse trapper weight?

[Dan Howard]

There were two more-or-less complete scale horse trappers found at Dura Europos. Does anyone know how much they weighed?

[Peroni]

I don't have Simon James' report at hand at the moment, but I can certainly look when I get home later.

I have some rather good photo's of one of the trappers in Hi Res if anyone is interested??

[Robert Vermaat]

Always.

[Dan Howard]

I have James' "Final Report" but can find no mention of weights. That's why I asked here.

[Peroni]

That saves me a job then Dan!

Robert, re the photos, I have sent you a PM.

[Robert Vermaat]

I tried several books - nothing. Not even Mielczarek!
Only Junkelmann left to search..

[Robert Vermaat]

Junkelmann rules.

Junkelmann, Marcus (1990-2): Die Reiter Roms, 3 vols., (Mainz). Vol3: Zubehör, Reitweise, Bewaffnung, p. 216.

Junkelmann came to the conclusion that one of the Dura trappings would have consisted of 4500 scales, each being 1 mm thick and weighing 7 grams. With the backing, and other parts of the armour, the total weight could have been 45 kg.

[Peroni]

That doesn't tally with James' final report.

Looking at the info in there, it gives the thickness of scale at 0.25mm

My pictures certainly don't look like 1.0mm

[Robert Vermaat]

I'm not sure which of the two he actually used in his calculations. he claims there was one of bronze and one of iron scales, yet I seem to recall one of rawhide?

[Dan Howard]

I can't find any mention of rawhide horse armour in James' work. All are metallic scales. Re: Junkelmann, 45kg seems much much too heavy to me.

[caiusbeerquitius]

Yes, you are right. The Rawhide armour is from a horseman (probably).