Is this armour pattern faulty?

[Buster]

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/lorB2.gif

Why does the middle back plate taper down like that? (I just cut one out and noticed it didn't look right) I looked through Bishops and Thomas' books, and they indicate the middle backplate was a rectangle.
Should I just make new middle back plates as rectangles?

[Matthew Amt]

Ave!

If it's faulty, it's the Romans' fault! I copied that piece from the Corbridge excavation report, so that's how that cuirass was done. It's served me well for 20 years. Not that I'm necessarily shaped like you... A plain rectangle works fine, too, so go with whichever you prefer. I won't complain. Or whine. Or even cry a little.

Oh, it's entirely possible that that plate was *supposed* to be rectangular, and was simply cut crookedly! That would certainly match many other surviving lorica pieces.

Happy armoring!

Matthew

PS: You ARE making a cardboard pattern, yes?

[Buster]

Okay, thanks!
No, i've been bad and skipped the carboard pattern, though I'm going to do one now to see which backplate works better for me.

[Crispvs]

Of course, if you have the Lorica Segmentata books you will be aware already that there was very little consistency in shape amongst the Corbridge plates. The page featuring comparisons of the Corbridge breast plates with the Kalkriese breast plate should be enough to show that the Romans themselves weren't that concerned about exact shapes.

Crispvs

[Magnus]

Nooooooo!!!

Make a mock-up!!! If you don't, you'll have ill-fitting armor, guaranteed!!!

[Marcus Velius Avitus]

The 20 minutes it will take to make a mockup out of cardboard(just cut up a cardboard box) will be TOTALLY WORTH IT. Trust me - Mr. Amt's pattern is quite good.