04-24-2011, 07:34 AM
Hey Phil,
Don't worry about questions, that's why the forum is here.
Leather...sigh...most of the evidence for pteryges would point at a textile based material like linen, at least for higher ranking officers. But truth be told we don't know for sure...I just avoid leather because of the hollywood stigma I guess lol. In any case a cheap but reasonable one can be found here:
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?...Subarmalis
Also, have you considered making your own?
As for the medallions on the end, there is, as far as I know, zero historical evidence that the romans did this. For a great collection of pictures of pteryges, Travis Clark used to have a website up, that now is an archived site. Sadly, many of the pictures are missing, but here is the link:
http://classic-web.archive.org/web/20070.../parts.htm
As for the commericaly available phalerae harness sets, you're correct. Terry Nix has his own version, and deepeeka has a set. There are other vendors that make them, but they aren't cheap. But here is what I have off hand:
https://www.quietpress.com/Roman_Brooche...lt_Fi.html (Navigate to the bottom)
http://www.replik-shop.de/Replicas/Roman..._6_46.html <--- if you are filthy rich and have nothing else to spend money on.
Beyond that, I'm not sure who else does them that is priced reasonably. Your only other option is to study existing phalerae, then start scouring ebay and such for brass, silver or bronze decorative discs that resemble them. It may be at least a start and you can always upgrade later...and if you're not using them for reenactment purposes, it may be ok.
The only evidence there is for the crests are red, and I believe a natural brown (from paintings/frescoes). However, most reenactors (myself included) tend to mix things up...I even observed a Roman marine centurion with a dyed blue horsehair crest...looked very sharp!
The logic behind my decision to go with black and red, was that a few paintings isn't enough to make the issue cut and dried. Purists will argue that we should only copy and stick to what we have in the historical record, BUT I don't think certain things make much difference to the overall impression. A small thing like crest colour to me isn't an issue...it's all on how you look at it.
Hope that helps some!
Don't worry about questions, that's why the forum is here.
Leather...sigh...most of the evidence for pteryges would point at a textile based material like linen, at least for higher ranking officers. But truth be told we don't know for sure...I just avoid leather because of the hollywood stigma I guess lol. In any case a cheap but reasonable one can be found here:
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?...Subarmalis
Also, have you considered making your own?
As for the medallions on the end, there is, as far as I know, zero historical evidence that the romans did this. For a great collection of pictures of pteryges, Travis Clark used to have a website up, that now is an archived site. Sadly, many of the pictures are missing, but here is the link:
http://classic-web.archive.org/web/20070.../parts.htm
As for the commericaly available phalerae harness sets, you're correct. Terry Nix has his own version, and deepeeka has a set. There are other vendors that make them, but they aren't cheap. But here is what I have off hand:
https://www.quietpress.com/Roman_Brooche...lt_Fi.html (Navigate to the bottom)
http://www.replik-shop.de/Replicas/Roman..._6_46.html <--- if you are filthy rich and have nothing else to spend money on.
Beyond that, I'm not sure who else does them that is priced reasonably. Your only other option is to study existing phalerae, then start scouring ebay and such for brass, silver or bronze decorative discs that resemble them. It may be at least a start and you can always upgrade later...and if you're not using them for reenactment purposes, it may be ok.
The only evidence there is for the crests are red, and I believe a natural brown (from paintings/frescoes). However, most reenactors (myself included) tend to mix things up...I even observed a Roman marine centurion with a dyed blue horsehair crest...looked very sharp!
The logic behind my decision to go with black and red, was that a few paintings isn't enough to make the issue cut and dried. Purists will argue that we should only copy and stick to what we have in the historical record, BUT I don't think certain things make much difference to the overall impression. A small thing like crest colour to me isn't an issue...it's all on how you look at it.
Hope that helps some!
____________________________________________________________
Magnus/Matt
Du Courage Viens La Verité
Legion: TBD
Magnus/Matt
Du Courage Viens La Verité
Legion: TBD
