I only had a couple vague drawings to work from when I made it, years ago. (From "Hadrian's Wall in the Days of the Romans", I think?) No idea how the hinge or catch for the lid are done on the original, so I had to guess.
Hadn't heard of the term "wristpouch", only "armpurse". Mine slides right up to the top of my arm and sits there nicely under my tunic sleeve. Safe and out of the way, and out of sight.
Some new pictures of the thing would be great! I might even be moved to make a new one.
Vale,
Matthew
Matthew Amt (Quintus)
Legio XX, USA
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.larp.com/legioxx/">http://www.larp.com/legioxx/
It would be very interesting if it were possible to find a picture of the top of that purse, for the opening device looks to be the lever at the left end of the bowl.
When I have made these in the past I make the locking device automatic where the handle is spring loaded, and just pulling the handle apart releases the locking pin and the tension of the lid throws' it open. Then to close it the lid is pushed down under it's own tension again which jumps the pin back to the lock position.
Indeed all views of that original would be most welcome.
Jef, in the dutch museum voor oudheden in Leiden there is a similar type of purse pics are on the site of the museum. Maybe ( I know you live in belgium) you can see for yourself.
Vale
AgrimensorLVCIVS FLAVIVS SINISTER
aka Jos Cremers
member of CORBVLO
ESTE NIX PAX CRISTE NIX
I notice there is a slight difference with your armpurse to that shown by Jef, your handle has been made in three pieces and the original shown is made only of two. Also the spring arrangements of the original are indeed integral parts of the handle itself.
I notice there is a slight difference with your armpurse to that shown by Jef, your handle has been made in three pieces and the original shown is made only of two.
My intention was to make a wristpurse, after forming the cup it turned out my wrist was to small so I had to enlarge the handle with an extra element.
Quote:Sutoris.
Also the spring arrangements of the original are indeed integral parts of the handle itself.
Where we look at the original the spring on the left side is a twisted continuation of the right side of the handle, as also the spring at the right side is the contiuation of the left side of the handle.
There are originals in the museum at the fort of Chesters on Hadrians' Wall which have similar types of spring arrangement, and when we look at these the handle is such that they would just let an average mans hand go thro' them indicating that the purse would be worn on the fore arm.
The handles of these are in fact part of the bowl of the purse itself, and appear to be under spring tension so keeping the handle in a fixed position and help to hold the purse tight on the fore arm. It is not the springs that hold it tight but the spring tension of the arms of the purse themselves, the handle can expand to a slight degree preventing slip on the arm.
I am also of the opinion that many armpurse would only fit the forearm, in fact I also think that the purse would only see the light of day when the soldier went shopping in the Vicus or Town.
I also think that the soldier off duty would also wear his belt and pugio, so while the purse is in full view would anyone try to take it from him I do not think so.
Quote:I am also of the opinion that many armpurse would only fit the forearm
Only way to find out is to get some accurate measurements from the originals and make one that matches. I only had the vague description of "about 4 inches" from that book, so I made mine about 4 inches long, and presto, it slides right up my arm to the top! Granted, I'm not Arnold Schwarzenegger, but I don't think most legionaries were, either, and the handle is adjustable.
Quote:I also think that the soldier off duty would also wear his belt and pugio, so while the purse is in full view would anyone try to take it from him I do not think so.
Ha, good point! Though I never suspected this was solely a military item. Could have been worn by civilians, too.
Matthew
Matthew Amt (Quintus)
Legio XX, USA
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.larp.com/legioxx/">http://www.larp.com/legioxx/
Quote: Only way to find out is to get some accurate measurements from the originals and make one that matches.
At your service: 4 pieces from Eining, inner measurements are 7.6 x 9 cm, 7.2 x 9.2 cm, 7.7 x 9.1 cm and 8 x 9.5 cm. :-)
I think it's 3 or 4 years now that I want to make one of those ... boy oh boy.
Well, comes time comes purse :roll:
"I also think that the purse would only see the light of day when the soldier went shopping in the Vicus or Town."
Hmmm - curious then that the best known example from Britain was found in one of the quarry sites associated with the building of Hadrian's Wall.:wink:
Crispvs
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers. :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:
Those measurements you have given for the 4 pieces whichyou mention are just about right for the size of the average mans fist to go thro' this would indicate that these purses would have fitted just on the forearm.
This best known example from Britain that you refer to is in fact the Barcombe Fell purse, that was found in 1835 near the Signal Station above the Fort of Vindolanda and contained three Gold Aurei 60 Silver Denarii some of which were of Hadrian.
However the reference to the building of Hadrians' Wall is no more that an assumption of Guy de la Bedoyere where he gives reference to it in his book "The Finds of Roman Britain" It was more likely to have belonged to a soldier who was from the garrison of Vindolanda who hid it while at the station, because of distrust of those around him not only soldiers at the station but also the civilians of the settlement that the station was in.
Quote:Where we look at the original the spring on the left side is a twisted continuation of the right side of the handle, as also the spring at the right side is the contiuation of the left side of the handle.
You could be right but can you explain the litte cam
