Lorica Segmentata shoulder width

[FlexBravo]

Greetings,
I'm making some Lorica Segmentata shoulders via the Corbridge type A for sporting purposes (SCA) out of Cuir Bouilli leather. I need advise on the 4 lower shoulder pieces. The leather is thicker than the metal you're all using and may need to be compensated for, such as making the lames a bit wider.

I have reviewed all the patterns available on the internet. They all say to adjust length as necessary, nothing mentions width. (though this may be an obvious leap for some people)

I am 6 feet 2 inches tall. There is no base size on any of the patterns; such as this pattern will fit a guy who is of average build and 5'8" for example.

I've made cardboard sets and they just don't hang the same as the finished armor will so I am still struggling with this. The 2.5 inch wide cardboard seems okay, but I don't' know if by adding the 0.5" if I'll somehow be making it too wide and thereby making too large a flat surface which may not be able to take a blow as well as a thinner piece. They seem to look ok, and hang about 4-5 inches from the point of my elbow. Once strapped on they would span about 10 inches at most. (still talking about just the 4 lower shoulder pieces)

Here is my question. Since I am larger than your average Roman, should I expand the width of the 4 lower shoulder pieces from 2 inches (as all the patterns say) to 2.5 inches?

Have other people done this or is everyone sticking to 2"?

Thanks
FB

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

You might want to include the extra inch so you can get the extra underlap for more structural integrity. Overall, it shouldn't hang below the middle of your humeros bone.

[FlexBravo]

The 2.5 inch plates in mock up I did using file folders (instead of cardboard) hangs at about mid way down the Humerus bone. The thickness of the leather will be 1/4 of an inch. So when all the plates are connected by riveted staps I'll lose around an inch. Or will I gain an inch as they are underlapped, making them hang too low? Hmmmm I've confused myself.

I could just stick to the 2 inches the pattern suggests or I could move thee plates to 2.25 instead of 2.5 in order to make sure I don't hang as low.

I do want them to hang a bit (at most half way down and at least 1/4 down) and not be like football shoulder pads that stick straight out, so I can take a side shot to the shoulder (top of humerus)

[Magnus]

You're going to have to scale them...my friend is about your size, and i'm pretty sure he scaled all of his plates accordingly. He's the one on the left...

[FlexBravo]

Thanks. I went ahead and cut them at 2.5 inches instead of the pattern 2. Worst case is I have to trim them down a bit if they hang too low. Better that then having to cut new ones because they don't hang low enough.


Thanks
FB

[Magnus]

Good idea. It's easier to trim then to "add" material on...