3rd cent. breast plate

[Publius Aelius Lucius]

Hello
One question to you. Is a third century breast plate only on scale armor or also on chainmails :?: I would like to make me one, but I have "just" a chainmail. Thank you for your help

[mcbishop]

Is a third century breast plate only on scale armor or also on chainmails :?: I would like to make me one, but I have "just" a chainmail.

The evidence suggests that breastplates were used with both mail and scale. However, it is also a strong likelihood that backplates were used too, although these were a different shape to the breastplates (just as breast- and backplates on Newstead lorica segmentata differ). Whether all mail or scale used a plate fastening system in the later period is a moot point and one that would be difficult to prove either way. Given the longevity of mail if cared for, I suspect there would always have been mail cuirasses without breast- or backplates.

Here are the two types of plate taken from B&C2.



Mike Bishop

[Crispvs]

"Given the longevity of mail if cared for, I suspect there would always have been mail cuirasses without breast- or backplates."

The well preserved mail shirt from South Shields would be a case in point, I would have thought.

Crispvs

[Publius Aelius Lucius]

thanks for your replay. they where very helpfull for me

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Ahhh, that type of breast plate....thats interesting info indeed!

[Caballo]

it is also a strong likelihood that backplates were used too, although these were a different shape to the breastplates (just as breast- and backplates on Newstead lorica segmentata differ).

Mike,

Thanks Mike- a front and back breastplate is new to me. The drawing seems to indicate a single backplate (?) - or would the most likely set up be double as on the front breastplate?

Cheers

Paul

[Publius Aelius Lucius]

Paul,

the "backplate" (Junkelmann wright in his book "Reiter wie Statuen aus Erz" this singleplate could be a frontplate for "Kimmerische Gewänder", a textile cuirass) is just a single piece.

Martin

[Caballo]

Thanks- and does anyone have any tips on how to recreate one of these?

[caiusbeerquitius]

In fact the right plate is that of the Bertoldsheim chain mail, it consists of one large plate (left) and a very narrow one (right)