Brass work for Gladius in process.

[Titus Marius Secundus]

OKay so I went ahead and bent the plate, got it to fit the scabbard, and I saw this piece of brass with a factory edge, and decided with a cut, it owuld make a boog back plate! ya? I am going to anneal it, let it cool down without water, and then make it a better fit around the scabbard without bending resistance. I think then is the next step, drilling rivet holes ( through brass and wood through to other side of scabbard for a good aligning match? ) and then without riveting, polish it up, and then rivit it, or make cross hangers first?
Sam