Belt Advice on Construction

[Titus Marius Secundus]

Hi, I have a few questions on the supplies and methods of making a circular embossed belt. I had studied the Legio XX site, but have a few questions left to be answered.

On the belt, the picture I'll be posting, is from the Legio XX site, I mean this for education purposes only and I don't claim anything off this person's work, so I hope it doesn't break any forum rules. I'll be following this reconstruction in my own making when I've gathered the necessary materials at first opportunity from my local supplier.

The edges on this type on this type of belt plate are rolled, I can think of a couple ways to do this, but is it only accurate to have this belt type rolled, or could the edge be flat? If the ARE rolled, do they need the "pins" in them, like, a rod with ball on each end through the roll? Could I solder a brass ball to each end of the roll? If you have any information on how the plates are made, I'd be most grateful.

I believe 10" brass sheet is used. Correct me with better suggestions. For such a simple design, would it be wise to anneal it for such a simple design?

For rivets, domed or flat are optional. Does it matter if they are brass or copper? I think I would prefer copper. But if brass is highly recommended I don't mind.

The height of the plate will be 2", if there is rolling, how much extra width would be necessary? Half an inch total?

That is all the questions I can think of for now. Any help is appreciated. I hope to start soon on my work. I'll be doing this as well as completing the sword and scabbard.

Thanks in advance,

Sam

[Peroni]

There are many finds of bullseye type plates - some with rolled edges and others without. Some have a simple raised border at each end. Making them without the rolled edge would be perfectly acceptable.

I'd suggest that 1/2" is more than adequate for forming the tube. It only has to be very narrow.

The ball-end finials can easily be added to a rolled edge plate as I did with my own belt either by soldering them onto a rod or directly onto the tube end of the plate.

[Titus Marius Secundus]

Thank you Peroni for your reply. That helped a lot, and I see your link to Armamentaria. If I wasn't such a DIY and live in USA I'd get from you :-x So I hope you don't mind helping me, cause I understand, due to experience, business is business :-P I was wondering what supplies I might need...

If I were to go out, right now and buy what I need, I would need to know the thickness of sheet for the plates, ( 14 plates?) I would order leather possibly off the internet as it has to be naturally dyed blood red. I have all the tools, and I'm sure I could make something circular for the embossing. Any ideas on the rivets? I don't think there are escutcheon pins with the large domed head...could I make it from a brass rod?

For rolling the edges, could it be done like a segmentata hinge? I will roll the edges, but I probably won't solder balls on the ends. Maybe...haven't got that far yet and I think my last question...is it best to punch, then cut the sheet, or should I not be worried about the plate warping when being embossed, as it's been annealed it should stretch to the design.

Should be all, if I manage to get the info straight, I'll be at it very soon!

Sam

[M. CVRIVS ALEXANDER]

There are many finds of bullseye type plates...

I have seen some, but have not seen the original supporting these particular plates - does anyone have a pic? Or is this only a "Roman-like" design?

[Magnus]

They are in the Vindonissa catalogue no?

[Crispvs]

Also have a look in: Grew and Griffiths, The Pre-Flavian Military Belt - The Evidence From Britain, Antiquaries Journal, 1991.

Crispvs

[M. CVRIVS ALEXANDER]

Matt,

There are a few of the "bulls eye" type plates in the Vindonissa Katalog (see attached), but they differ from the reproductions shown in this thread.

Paul,

Thank you for the reference, I will check it out.


[attachment]vindonissaplates.pdf[/attachment]

[M. CVRIVS ALEXANDER]

Matt,

There are a few of the "bulls eye" type plates in the Vindonissa Katalog (see attached), but they differ from the reproductions shown in this thread.

Paul,

Thank you for the reference, I will check it out.

[attachment]vindonissaplates.pdf[/attachment]

[M. CVRIVS ALEXANDER]

Matt,

There are a few of the "bulls eye" type plates in the Vindonissa Katalog (see attached), but they differ from the reproductions shown in this thread.

Paul,

Thank you for the reference, I will check it out.

[attachment]vindonissaplates.pdf[/attachment]

[M. CVRIVS ALEXANDER]

Matt,

There are a few of the "bulls eye" type plates in the Vindonissa Katalog (see attached), but they differ from the reproductions shown in this thread.

Paul,

Thank you for the reference, I will check it out.

[attachment=2961]vindonissaplates2.pdf[/attachment]

[attachment=2962]vindonissaplates3.pdf[/attachment]

[Neuraleanus]

When making a belt, I start with a belt blank from Tandy. For the spherical ends, I use solid brass beads intended for fishing lures:

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/Search/brass%20beads.aspx

[Magnus]

You can also get those from ebay fairly cheap.

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

Hello

This is from Vindonissa, no rolled edges>



an this i from Reingonheim, rolled edges>

[PhilusEstilius]

Sam.

I would suggest that you reduce the size of your beltplates to 1&3/4 inches high for if you look at the belt that Adrian has shown, the belt leather needs to be above and below the plates so that they do not damage your armour and also if the armour is chainmail it will not damage your beltplates.
The brass you may need for such plates can be 22 gauge or 0-6mm thickness which is not too thick for punching them out.
The overall length of the plates could be about 2&1/4 inches with rolled edges, to allow for rolling the edges cut the length at 2&3/4 inches. Which gives you 3/8 of an inch at each end for rolling that should finish up at the approx' 2&1/4 inch overall.
Another suggestion is that after making your plates you give them a gentle curve before fitting to the belt, and this way all the small Arcs combined help to take up the curve of your waist which makes for a tidy looking belt when worn.

[Magnus]

Wierd...how does the armour damage the belt plates if they go to the edge of the leather? Never personally had an issue with that...or anyone else I know. The iconography appears to show belt plates that butt up against the belt edge no?