Unusual Thracian Tube-and-Yoke corselet

[Paullus Scipio]

Firstly, it is clearly 'double-breasted'.

It looks this way, but I think if you look closer you will see that it is not really double breasted. Counting the pteryges shows that at best it only overlaps less than 2/3 of the chest, my guess is that only one of the pterygites overlaps, making meet more in the middle. Note how the left side of the front panel slopes and the right is straight.

On careful examination of the 'original/blown up' photos, measuring indicates the 'wrapover' panel matches the underneath one almost exactly in shape and size. I think you'll find that the two pteryges on the 'wrapover' piece neatly stagger, so as to cover the two gaps on the three pteryges beneath.

Also, the true front piece is quite a bit higher than the flap that comes around from the right, which is closer in height to the left hand side-panel. The photo makes the two flaps look the same height, but the central panel is substantially lower. In any orientation the upper chest is not overlapped, perhaps the gorget covers enough of this. The whole thing could be held closed with a sash or best of the type I've posted before.
Like I say, after measuring, I'm pretty sure the 'wrapover' piece matches the underneath part quite closely, and does in fact overlap the upper chest. Interesting suggestion that the girdle with 'knot of Heracles(reef knot)' originally might have served to help fasten, along with the ties, the 'double breasted' piece.

Second, it has two very unusual circular 'cutouts' on the back of the shoulders on the 'Tube', seemingly creating two weak spots?.....Perhaps these were covered by something else - plate 'rondels' for instance - but one expects the conservators would have placed anything like that found, back 'in situ'.

I have wondered about these and about Xenophon's description because I believe that hoplites struck overhand- which would seem a similar movement. The difference I believe is not in rasing the arm, but in pulling the arm back. Thus I think these cut-outs allowed the arm to be extended backwards as one does when throwing a javelin. The bottom of the cut-out can flex back witht he arm.
Yes, I think we all probably agree about this.

As to the right shoulder-front. Other than noting that it is cut like a persian Saddle cloth, I have no idea if there was more to it than is now shown, something over or under for example.

see above post - I think it likely that the rest of the 'yoke flap' is likely missing - especially if it was 'detachable' as Xenophon suggests.