08-26-2003, 08:04 PM
I could also not dispute all of Sander's literary sources - well done.<br>
I also do not agree that the armour would be left forge blackened either. Cleaning not only gives men something to do: disillusions the enemy: protects against build up of rust: but it also means that regular attention is paid to every part, so that potential failures can be spotted & prevented - same reason we polish our motorbike engine cases isnt it?<br>
<br>
On Derrick's tale of Stoneleigh, we were also there with the Kalkriese. One day of blistering heat and one day of total wash-out and spectacular lightening! Yes, the hot day did cause a very sweaty little body inside the lorica, and yes the body salts/sweat were very corrosive, but with immediate attention the damage was minimal.<br>
<br>
I did notice one thing though. Modern metals will never be identical to the Roman iron, even if we did try to use iron instead of steel, as the mixture or processing would not be identical. However, on the Kalkriese, the girdle plates and shoulder plates are much like the other reproductions - made of bent sheet steel, but the breast plates, collar and back plates have been forged, and these reacted markedly differently to the others. The whole lorica has been hand polished to clean, satin finish, but not to silly lengths. These forged parts have still retained a slight black tinge to them which shows through the polish. These parts definitely seem to fare better against the rust than the non-forged parts. Probably this is for the reasons stated above for the satin faring better than the totally shiney, there being less areas of pure metal exposed. If we had used iron instead of the mild steel it may even have fared better still.<br>
<br>
However, that doesnt mean that polished to death, or stainless steel monstrosities are ok - they can never look right. Even the public can spot them a mile off as unauthentic - slapped wrists to any of these.<br>
<br>
As to tinning - beltplates were sometimes tinned or silvered as a "fur coat, no knickers" cheat by those who couldnt afford silver, although it is known that some men carried their wealth around with them on their equipment using real silver - in one literary source donating their belts to raise funds for an army. It is not known though that loricae were similarly tinned. It would afford better protection but would raise the cost of equipment, especially when kitting out a large body of men - so if at all would only be a high rank thing. There are however some intriguing traces of "something" on some seg plates, particularly around the neck rolling, which could be tinning residue, or could be solder filling the potential rust trapping crease, or could just be gunk from being buried for a very long time.<br>
<br>
Still think nicely polished satin finish looks nicer - especially with a pretty shade of pink tunic (or Laura Ashleyus floral even - now there's another start to the tunic wars again)<br>
<br>
Claudia <p></p><i></i>
I also do not agree that the armour would be left forge blackened either. Cleaning not only gives men something to do: disillusions the enemy: protects against build up of rust: but it also means that regular attention is paid to every part, so that potential failures can be spotted & prevented - same reason we polish our motorbike engine cases isnt it?<br>
<br>
On Derrick's tale of Stoneleigh, we were also there with the Kalkriese. One day of blistering heat and one day of total wash-out and spectacular lightening! Yes, the hot day did cause a very sweaty little body inside the lorica, and yes the body salts/sweat were very corrosive, but with immediate attention the damage was minimal.<br>
<br>
I did notice one thing though. Modern metals will never be identical to the Roman iron, even if we did try to use iron instead of steel, as the mixture or processing would not be identical. However, on the Kalkriese, the girdle plates and shoulder plates are much like the other reproductions - made of bent sheet steel, but the breast plates, collar and back plates have been forged, and these reacted markedly differently to the others. The whole lorica has been hand polished to clean, satin finish, but not to silly lengths. These forged parts have still retained a slight black tinge to them which shows through the polish. These parts definitely seem to fare better against the rust than the non-forged parts. Probably this is for the reasons stated above for the satin faring better than the totally shiney, there being less areas of pure metal exposed. If we had used iron instead of the mild steel it may even have fared better still.<br>
<br>
However, that doesnt mean that polished to death, or stainless steel monstrosities are ok - they can never look right. Even the public can spot them a mile off as unauthentic - slapped wrists to any of these.<br>
<br>
As to tinning - beltplates were sometimes tinned or silvered as a "fur coat, no knickers" cheat by those who couldnt afford silver, although it is known that some men carried their wealth around with them on their equipment using real silver - in one literary source donating their belts to raise funds for an army. It is not known though that loricae were similarly tinned. It would afford better protection but would raise the cost of equipment, especially when kitting out a large body of men - so if at all would only be a high rank thing. There are however some intriguing traces of "something" on some seg plates, particularly around the neck rolling, which could be tinning residue, or could be solder filling the potential rust trapping crease, or could just be gunk from being buried for a very long time.<br>
<br>
Still think nicely polished satin finish looks nicer - especially with a pretty shade of pink tunic (or Laura Ashleyus floral even - now there's another start to the tunic wars again)<br>
<br>
Claudia <p></p><i></i>
