06-19-2007, 01:19 PM
Barry,
I've gone back and looked at a few of the sources and the posted picture and I'm starting to waiver.
In favour of the significant diagonally overlapping plates; the piccy of Jim's armour reinforces the diagonal cross as if they were forced vertical the neck opening would close up and be useless. Also looking at the original drawings (attcahed) it is quite clear that the rear shoulder plate has diagonal hinge mounting yet all other plates (moving forward) have perpendicular mountings hence the front chest plates will cross diagonally (although this will be offset slightly as the rear shoulder plate does not sit vertically agaisnt your back.
In favour of a minor diagonal overlap of the plates; The lack of wear previously stated (typically I can't find the source of this). Also the fact that the plates on the Newstead Pattern armour are most definitely mounted vertically, lends weight to a continuation of design feature.
Having said this all this is hypothetical as what is important is to cut the plates accurately to a credible pattern and assemble them follwing the original. Plate position will derive from this.
Having made my own seg. A couploe of pointers; A cardboard mock up is a must. Tailor the Girdle plates individually and over your full underkit Tunics, Subarmalis etc. Finally make sur the pointed shoulder sections (if you make them with a point) faces in to the neck (in common with many other people I followed the Robinson Drawing and not the original find).
I've gone back and looked at a few of the sources and the posted picture and I'm starting to waiver.
In favour of the significant diagonally overlapping plates; the piccy of Jim's armour reinforces the diagonal cross as if they were forced vertical the neck opening would close up and be useless. Also looking at the original drawings (attcahed) it is quite clear that the rear shoulder plate has diagonal hinge mounting yet all other plates (moving forward) have perpendicular mountings hence the front chest plates will cross diagonally (although this will be offset slightly as the rear shoulder plate does not sit vertically agaisnt your back.
In favour of a minor diagonal overlap of the plates; The lack of wear previously stated (typically I can't find the source of this). Also the fact that the plates on the Newstead Pattern armour are most definitely mounted vertically, lends weight to a continuation of design feature.
Having said this all this is hypothetical as what is important is to cut the plates accurately to a credible pattern and assemble them follwing the original. Plate position will derive from this.
Having made my own seg. A couploe of pointers; A cardboard mock up is a must. Tailor the Girdle plates individually and over your full underkit Tunics, Subarmalis etc. Finally make sur the pointed shoulder sections (if you make them with a point) faces in to the neck (in common with many other people I followed the Robinson Drawing and not the original find).
Mark Downes/Mummius
Cent Gittus, COH X. LEG XX. VV. Deva Victrix
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"Don\'\'\'\'t threaten me with a dead fish!" - Withnail
Cent Gittus, COH X. LEG XX. VV. Deva Victrix
____________________________________________
"Don\'\'\'\'t threaten me with a dead fish!" - Withnail
