Brass work for Gladius in process.

[Crispvs]

Sam,

The suspension rings I made work very well. I would not recommend using brass wire for this as it would not be nearly strong enough.

For my chape I tried to follow the one I was copying as closely as possible. On mine all of the elements on the front (the pierced front plate and the three appliques) are soldered on. The bracing piece on the back though is riveted on with very short rivets (which I found extremely fiddly to do), after first being soldered at both ends.

For the cross hangers on my scabbard, you need to remember that the ones you have seen on my thread are only temporary ones which I have attached with nails which run right through the scabbard and which I have clenched over at the back. I haven't actually finished the thread (I have still to obtain tinning paste though and when I do get it I will be disassembling it to tin it before assembling it again) yet.

A note on brass working - don't be afraid to anneal the brass again after each piece of working. As you work it, either by bending or hammering, it will harden (it is known as 'work hardening') and can become brittle. Annealing counteracts this, so as you continue working the brass you need to keep stopping to anneal it as well.

Crispvs