Mainz Calceus Reconstruction

[Martin Moser]

When the upper is held in place tightly, I cut back the lasting margin to about 6-7 mm inside the row of nails



The nails are then beaten inwards and the lasting margin is smoothed with the hammer all around, especially at the front and the heel, where due to the curve there is an "excess" of material.



Now the bracing of the upper starts. This can be done spirally along the margin or as crossbracing, both ways are know from the finds and I use both, crossbracing along the sides and spiralling round the front and heel. The thread goes through the lasting margin of the upper and the insole (a curved awl is necessary for this)