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Slinger
#1
Hello.
I have been wanting to put together the full clothing and gear that an ancient slinger would have as a personal project for a while (Though I am interested in reenacting at some point in the near future.)
At first I was thinking I would try a Greek slinger, but now I believe I would like to start with a Roman slinger (or a non-Roman slinger in a Roman army), from around the Punic Wars to the late Republic. I am not uninterested in making a Greek slinger in the future, but my own personal interest is in Roman history more than Greek. Even though this is for now my own personal project I would like to make it reenactment level in terms of accuracy.

My first questions are:
Is a Roman slinger even an accurate impression in the period I named? I have reason to believe it is but I would like to go ahead and ask that question to make sure.
What kind of clothing would be acceptable for a slinger? I imagine that a tunic and a cloak would be acceptable, but I am not entirely positive.

My main idea is that I would start by making the main clothing item, then shoes, then any secondary clothing items, and then whatever else I could add (I already have been making a lot of slings).
Dylan

I chose the name Phoenician because I have a large interest in Phoenician and Carthaginian history. I am interested in many other areas as well, however.
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#2
Julius Caesar had a group of slingers in his battles with Pompey, and evidently they were effective enough that Pompey's men wove wooden stick covers for their helmets. I guess that makes them contemporary with the late Republic/early Principate, yes?
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)

Saepe veritas est dura.
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#3
What kind of shields, if any, would have been used?
Dylan

I chose the name Phoenician because I have a large interest in Phoenician and Carthaginian history. I am interested in many other areas as well, however.
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#4
That early? I doubt they had shields, generally. Pretty simple impression, really: tunic, shoes (the hard part!), sling, bag of rocks! Oh, yeah, cloak, good idea. If you go hi-tech, cast some lead bullets. Of course, you have to decide on colors, and shoe or sandal pattern.

To go Greek, just swap the tunic for a chiton. It *might* even be possible to make one garment that would work for both, but that might be cheating. And you can add a felt cap or brimmed hat for Greek as well.

Have fun!

Matthew
Matthew Amt (Quintus)
Legio XX, USA
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.larp.com/legioxx/">http://www.larp.com/legioxx/
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#5
What do people think of the fabric and leather suppliers listed here? http://www.larp.com/legioxx/supplrs.html

I have looked around and I am about ready to make the tunic and shoes, but I am not sure about where to get the materials. I would also need a source for hobnails, though I was thinking about SOTW.
Dylan

I chose the name Phoenician because I have a large interest in Phoenician and Carthaginian history. I am interested in many other areas as well, however.
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#6
I think it's a great list. I've used several of those sources. Fabric Club and Fashion Fabrics have an email list, and will notify you of sales. Sometimes really nice linen can be gotten for around six bucks a yard. It only takes 2 1/2 to 3 yards to make a chiton or tunic for just about anybody.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)

Saepe veritas est dura.
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#7
I see fashionfabricsclub.com, but I do not see any fabric club on the list.

Also, what kind of wool is generally used? I know it should be 100%, but I do not know the difference between, for example, flannel and gabardine as I have little knowledge of fabric.

As for color, I have read in some places that anything plain other than purple or black is okay, other places I have read that it should be red or white, so I am not exactly sure about that either.
Dylan

I chose the name Phoenician because I have a large interest in Phoenician and Carthaginian history. I am interested in many other areas as well, however.
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#8
I have noticed that generally most fabrics in America have a poly blend to some extent. You can check most tags and it should tell you the content percentages. Past that I am unsure of where to get any 100% wool. If you find a source for it please post a link. I have been looking somewhat as well.
Craig Bellofatto

Going to college for Massage Therapy. So reading alot of Latin TerminologyWink

It is like a finger pointing to the moon. DON\'T concentrate on the finger or you miss all the heavenly glory before you!-Bruce Lee

Train easy; the fight is hard. Train hard; the fight is easy.- Thai Proverb
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#9
Quote:What do people think of the fabric and leather suppliers listed here? http://www.larp.com/legioxx/supplrs.html

Oh, geez, not THAT site, that guy's full of--wait a second, that's MY site! Guess it's okay then, hee hee! Mostly it's a matter of seeing who has what you want, and comparing prices. I haven't bought much fabric online lately, but have gotten great stuff from MJ Cahn in the past. The leather places I usually use are Siegel of California and Leather Unlimited, but they certainly aren't the only options.

Quote:I have looked around and I am about ready to make the tunic and shoes, but I am not sure about where to get the materials. I would also need a source for hobnails, though I was thinking about SOTW.

Yeah, SOTW should have the right nails. Get the pointy conical ones.

It can take some hunting to find 100 percent wool, but it's out there. Of course, I have heard that now it is legal for manufacturers to put several percent polyester into it (in the selvedge, I think), and still call it 100 percent! Must be that "truth in advertising" thing... So it's simply a matter of finding one of those folks in Europe who will kindly hand-weave whatever you want, for just a few hundred bucks per yard! Ack...

Good luck,

Matthew
Matthew Amt (Quintus)
Legio XX, USA
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.larp.com/legioxx/">http://www.larp.com/legioxx/
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#10
http://www.fabric.com I meant that one, not fabric club, sorry.

A quick Google search will give you the differences between gabardine, flannel, melton, and other designations for weave variations with wool. It would take a lot of space here to explain the differences. Herringbone, twill, and taffeta (plain over and under) weave are all authentic. http://www.teonline.com/articles/2008/1 ... eaves.html

You're right, Matt, the high speed looms sometimes put a little nylon in the selvage to keep the fabric from stretching out of shape, or so I'm told. But for what it's worth, I never use the factory selvages, since they don't look like hand woven selvages...I have left them on when the edge is to be turned under and stitched down, though.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)

Saepe veritas est dura.
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#11
Quote:http://www.fabric.com I meant that one, not fabric club, sorry.

I am having no success finding any 100% wool on that site, and I am finding few options on fashionfabricsclub.com once I factor in color and wool percentage.
I may have failed to successfully navigate the sites, but as far as I can tell I have found only about 20 wool options on Fashion Fabrics that seemed acceptable.
Dylan

I chose the name Phoenician because I have a large interest in Phoenician and Carthaginian history. I am interested in many other areas as well, however.
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#12
You'll find more linen than wool there. Unless your weather is very cold most of the time, linen tunics are just as authentic as wool.

B. Black sells wool, in various weaves and colors. 4 yard minimum, IIRC. Google "Wool fabric" or "woolen yard goods" and you should get some hits. Of large importance, however, is to find out which group in your area you may fall in with, and check with them about what they suggest. The idea in reenacting with others is not to stand out, but to fit in. If they swear by red tunics, then buy red wool. If they go with undyed, then get that kind. Check with the leadership of the group you may want to join. They can give you guidance. Anything we from the outside world say may be over-voted by your local Centurio. Don't let us lead you astray.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)

Saepe veritas est dura.
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#13
Okay, I am about ready to order fabric, but my own paranoia about ordering things online wants me to ask if fashionfabricsclub.com is a safe and reputable site to order fabric from. I know I sort of already asked this, but as I said, paranoia, overly cautious nature, hehe.

Also, I am thinking I might just go ahead and make Greek and Roman clothing.
Dylan

I chose the name Phoenician because I have a large interest in Phoenician and Carthaginian history. I am interested in many other areas as well, however.
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#14
Here are two wonderful sources for 100% wool material:

https://www.naturtuche.de/index.php

http://wmboothdraper.com/

Naturtuche is in Germany, they are speedy with the emails and their customer service is fantastic.
Roman Name: Gaius Marcius Gracilis

AKA: Mark Headlee
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#15
I am pretty set on the source I have since the price is probably half most other places I have looked, I just have a habit of wanting to make sure and ask those kind of questions directly before ordering things online. If someone had something bad to say obviously I would reconsider, however otherwise I will probably get the fabric from fashionfabricsclub.
Dylan

I chose the name Phoenician because I have a large interest in Phoenician and Carthaginian history. I am interested in many other areas as well, however.
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