Balteus apron straps

[A_Volpe]

WOW! great work so far!!

As for the stitching along the dangly straps - Keep in mind too, these belts were the "bling" for Romans, perhaps the stitching was added less for support and more for decoration.

When you're a soldier out in the middle of somewhere with nothing to do after drilling and marching, you've got time to sit there and work on your belt, decorating it and adding stuff to it.

sort of like 'gear heads' today, working on sports cars on the weekend...It's never "done", there is always something to work on/tweak up/polish

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

BTW, not wanting to spoil the party, but wouldn't this be better in the reconstructions thread?

And Brian, could you e-mail me the technique you use for making the bell caps Please.
I recall what you said, but the memory is not so great!

[PhilusEstilius]

HI Byron check your PM

[PhilusEstilius]

Hi. Allen check your PM

[PhilusEstilius]

I was just looking at those pics' you put up there Jim, would those be pics' 19 to 21 for I don't think they are washers. They are bell caps which have been put on upside down, and there is reason why they are that way. These plates come from the famous Velsen finds and these particular plates were upgraded from tinned to having sheet silver applied to them. From my experience with bell caps when you remove and try to refit them, the removal now and then makes the integral shanks on the plates a bit shorter. Then trying to get them back on with the same thickness leather can't be done so one has to simply reverse them, as may have been the case with our craftsman at Velsen when he upgraded this belt.

[phaedrus]

[A_Volpe]

Allen -

You need to think about making belt parts for sale....

holy wow...

[Magnus]

Agreed.

[Ironhand]

You provide discounts to those that agree right?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Yes, I agree too.... :lol:

[Tarbicus]

I was just looking at those pics' you put up there Jim, would those be pics' 19 to 21 for I don't think they are washers. They are bell caps which have been put on upside down, and there is reason why they are that way. These plates come from the famous Velsen finds and these particular plates were upgraded from tinned to having sheet silver applied to them. From my experience with bell caps when you remove and try to refit them, the removal now and then makes the integral shanks on the plates a bit shorter. Then trying to get them back on with the same thickness leather can't be done so one has to simply reverse them, as may have been the case with our craftsman at Velsen when he upgraded this belt.

Brian, I think I see what you mean with 19. The problem is I can't find much reference at all on bell caps, but 20 and 21 do seem like roves left in place after the leather deteriorated.
http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p239 ... fig062.png

[phaedrus]

Allen -

You need to think about making belt parts for sale....

holy wow...

Wow! High praise! I'm really flattered but I think I've got a ways to go yet before I'm there. For example I snapped one of the hinge lugs off of my buckle yesterday in the process of rolling it around the hinge pin (total stupidity on my part, forgot to anneal the brass). Fortunately it doesn't look too obviously kludged with the lugs riveted on so the piece isn't a total loss. Lesson learned.

[PhilusEstilius]

These things are known as bell caps Jim and were used instead of flat washers for a very Technical reason.

[phaedrus]

So I riveted the last two plates onto my balteus this evening. I thought I'd post a few pictures of the finished product. My sincere thanks to everyone for their feedback, which proved invaluable during the fabrication process.

[arklore70]

Allen,
that looks really awesome. Wil you be coming to Castra Romana this year in South Carolina? Its about a three hour drive from Raleigh.

LEG VI Ferrata has extra kit in case you are shy a few items.

great job!!

Mike