Brass work for Gladius in process.

[Crispvs]

Nice work so far Sam.

In answer to your question, the lines and dots are concave, as if they were engraved into the outer surface. Hammer them in from the outside. Make sure you do this onto a solid metal plate to ensure a good clean line. Avoid applying a heavy pressure with the hammer - remember that you want to cut into the metal but not through it.

I would suggest using a chisel to make the lines, rather than any sort of electrical equipment, at it will produce a much better result. Overlap the last mark you made each time to get a continuous unbroken line. It may be an idea to draw the lines onto the brass with a pencil or biro first so that you can follow them when you punch in the lines. Be warned that as you punch decoration into the plate it will deform slightly. This is normal but it does mean you will need to draw all the lines on first as it will be difficult to draw straight lines on it after it has begun to warp.

Once you have punched the decorative lines and dots you will probably need to flatten the plate again. To do this you will need to anneal the plate until it goes red (hold it in pliers and do NOT touch it until it has thoroughly cooled down - brass conducts heat well and it will take a while). Once it cools down you should be able to flatten it either by playing a rubber mallet across both the inside and outside faces of the plate or possibly pressing it in a vice (if you do this make sure the vice has pads to stop the jaws from indenting your plate).

Keep up the good work.


"Though I don't think any particular way is historically accurate or not"

Ahem - the historically accurate way is the way it was done originally.


Crispvs