04-05-2012, 04:03 AM
Nice result so far Sam.
For a solution to both the possible issue of warping and the ease of rolling the edges, you could try adding a vertical bar to each end of the stamp which would stamp a raised border along the short edges. This could both avoid the problem of warping, as the ends would be held down, and would effectively start the process of rolling the edges for you. It is probably worth pointing out here that the belt plate stamp from the Colchester Sheepen site had a raised bar running along both of the shorter edges.
That is a very nice pommel by the way. On the matter of recessing the guard for a brass striker plate, this was certainly a feature of Mainz type handle assemblages, but may not have been so for Pompeii type assemblages. Neither of the bone examples for Dorchester and Mainz featured a striker plate, despite being recessed, and the Mainz example is still attached to its blade. Wooden Pompeii type guards from Vindonissa are recessed but also clearly show indentations where the shoulders of sword blades have worked their way into them - something which would probably not be possible if striker plates had been present.
At least some Pompeii type scabbards also seem to have lacked mouth/striker plates. Many such plates from Mainz type scabbards are to be seen in Miks' catalogue but there is only a single example which appears to be the right size for a Pompeii type scabbard, and there is always the possibility that this could have been for a cavalry spatha rather than an infantry gladius. Unfortunately I do not know if any surviving locket assemblages show evidence of such plates as pictures of them virtually never show the view from the top, meaning that examination in person is really necessary. Unfortunately I do not have the funds to travel over the Germany to peer into cabinet with a mirror on a long handle to see the mouths clearly. Perhaps there might be someone else here who knows of evidence for mouth plates on Pompeii scabbards but certainly I know of none other than what I have already mentioned.
Crispvs
For a solution to both the possible issue of warping and the ease of rolling the edges, you could try adding a vertical bar to each end of the stamp which would stamp a raised border along the short edges. This could both avoid the problem of warping, as the ends would be held down, and would effectively start the process of rolling the edges for you. It is probably worth pointing out here that the belt plate stamp from the Colchester Sheepen site had a raised bar running along both of the shorter edges.
That is a very nice pommel by the way. On the matter of recessing the guard for a brass striker plate, this was certainly a feature of Mainz type handle assemblages, but may not have been so for Pompeii type assemblages. Neither of the bone examples for Dorchester and Mainz featured a striker plate, despite being recessed, and the Mainz example is still attached to its blade. Wooden Pompeii type guards from Vindonissa are recessed but also clearly show indentations where the shoulders of sword blades have worked their way into them - something which would probably not be possible if striker plates had been present.
At least some Pompeii type scabbards also seem to have lacked mouth/striker plates. Many such plates from Mainz type scabbards are to be seen in Miks' catalogue but there is only a single example which appears to be the right size for a Pompeii type scabbard, and there is always the possibility that this could have been for a cavalry spatha rather than an infantry gladius. Unfortunately I do not know if any surviving locket assemblages show evidence of such plates as pictures of them virtually never show the view from the top, meaning that examination in person is really necessary. Unfortunately I do not have the funds to travel over the Germany to peer into cabinet with a mirror on a long handle to see the mouths clearly. Perhaps there might be someone else here who knows of evidence for mouth plates on Pompeii scabbards but certainly I know of none other than what I have already mentioned.
Crispvs
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers. :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.romanarmy.net">www.romanarmy.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.romanarmy.net">www.romanarmy.net
