Re: Bell cap how to

[jvrjenivs]

As I don't want to post in this discusion, I now see a very stupid debate growing. Especially as you're making a fool over yourself and anyone else in the topic.

We have 2 main sources for these things:

1) on Horse chamrons. In describing these items Carol called them Bell-caps.

2) on belt plates. I know 3 different types of belt plates that had such a thing on the back. 2 are from the UK, 1 from the Netherlands. Brian showed on of these plates (albeit from the frontview), and also mentioned one other example. Unfortunatelly I don't have the source of my 3rd example ready (that is, I've a pic, but lost where it came from, so I can't support that one by the means of an inv. #

3) Then there is also the horsegear pendant that was shown on the start of this topic.

So far only FACTS are given, right?

Now about the interpretation.
1) Carol describes them as a protection for the horse head. As soon as you've seen the back site of an original or a reconstruction of it (with the rivets done the right way) you immediately see the horse need protected. Partly this is done by the use of bell caps, partly with another layer of leather protecting the head.

2) WE (that is Brian and I) say it could be also used to protect your tunic. We NEVER told you the Romans used them for that. We only told you the Romans at least used them on some belts, just as they used flat washers. I don't see why you still can't say. It's your decision if you want to use them on your belt. I did on 2 of mine. On other belts I use flat washers. And you still says Brian nor I did provide any evidence they protect your tunic. Then you still don't get the function of these. When this is done you get also a completely nice dome without blurs. If you ever made flat washers, (I mean cut them from sheet, without sanding the edges, etc), you will notice blurs all around. I had these blurs scratching my tunic before. As by the use of the device discussed here, you only have a nice dome surface, this can't happen as there is nothing your tunic can stick to.