10-16-2006, 04:31 PM
Hmm.
I think it is quite difficult to say, what kind of material might be displayed here. The Augustean Legions seem to have had quite rich decorations, this is also the case for the 3rd century, where regular cavalry helmets were gilded or silvered. I did not want to say that leather is no option, rather that I think in the view of a pretorian it might not have been the first choice. But then again, sheet gold or silver can be applied to leather as well.
Apart from that: The sword hilt on Tarbi´s example in the right lower corner is then leather covered and stitched, too?
Most Roman leather we know of is rather thin and mostly from sheep and goats. This material is, compared to the thick cattle-leather used for wax-cooked armour and similar, not really usable as armour. It is smooth, flexible and waterproof, that is why you tan the rawhide, right? Rawhide, on the other side, also from these animals, is far better suited as armour. The Dura Lamellar armour is as far as I can remember also from rawhide.
If the surface of the rawhide is traeted, either with wax or with oil, it becomes quite durable as well.
I think it is quite difficult to say, what kind of material might be displayed here. The Augustean Legions seem to have had quite rich decorations, this is also the case for the 3rd century, where regular cavalry helmets were gilded or silvered. I did not want to say that leather is no option, rather that I think in the view of a pretorian it might not have been the first choice. But then again, sheet gold or silver can be applied to leather as well.
Apart from that: The sword hilt on Tarbi´s example in the right lower corner is then leather covered and stitched, too?
Most Roman leather we know of is rather thin and mostly from sheep and goats. This material is, compared to the thick cattle-leather used for wax-cooked armour and similar, not really usable as armour. It is smooth, flexible and waterproof, that is why you tan the rawhide, right? Rawhide, on the other side, also from these animals, is far better suited as armour. The Dura Lamellar armour is as far as I can remember also from rawhide.
If the surface of the rawhide is traeted, either with wax or with oil, it becomes quite durable as well.
Christian K.
No reconstruendum => No reconstruction.
Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas.
No reconstruendum => No reconstruction.
Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas.
